Scads of People

Tortugas Mountain was a popular place this Saturday morning. The spring-like weather had much to do with it, drawing people out to recreate. Different sections of the mountain looked beautiful as usual.

The Organs weren't too shabby either.

Have I ever mentioned that the Organ Mountains are part of the southern Rockies?

Check those clouds over Tortugas.

A mountain bike trail through the rugged Chihuahuan Desert.

Sunrise Side

We got an early start on the east side of Tortugas Mountain this morning; the weather was beautiful. We're on our way to 73 degrees today.

Becca seemed to be enjoying herself.

A man and his two dogs were enjoying the springlike weather.

Tortugas and its foothills in the foreground, the Organs behind.

A large Littleaf Sumac grows on a steep bank of a deep arroyo.

Really Bad Air

The thing most notable to Research Associate Becca and me on the west side of Tortugas Mountain this morning was the bad air. Just look at the layer of smog at the base of Bishops Cap.

You can barely see the Franklin Mountains near El Paso because of the pollution.

You can even see here that the Organ Mountains look hazy in the distance.

Aborted Trek

Research Associate Becca earned a quick trip back to COC this morning after chasing a jackrabbit almost immediately after hitting the trail on the west side of Tortugas. Before our return, we saw these things. A ramp constructed out of junk material to permit stunt mountain bikers a jumping off point.

Bikers-eye-view of the ramp.

A beheaded Soaptree Yucca.

Rocky Hike

The hike was rocky only in the sense that I photographed some rock formations this morning on our hike around Tortugas. These huge boulders at the side of the trail, for instance.

The rocky east face of Tortugas.

A deep gorge on the south side of the mountain.

A rocky panorama.

This bank--cut by fast-moving water in a large arroyo--is about twelve or fifteen-feet high.

Out on the Mountain Trail

Becca and Packrat on the Tortugas Mountain trail early Monday morning.

Who put the "devil" in Devil Dog?

Hiking through an arroyo in the Chihuahuan Desert.

A small Redtail Hawk searches for prey in a large yucca.

Which way did that bird go?

The Obligatory Sunday Hike

Two mountain bikers stop on the Tortugas Mountain trail to admire the Chihuahuan Desert scenery.

The crown of a yucca has fallen to the desert floor.

Becca takes a break in the shadow of a yucca.

Dr. K and Devil Dog. Becca got a grade of F today for an extended chase of Mr. Jackrabbit and for being aggressive toward another dog.