North/East of the Mountain

Large Yucca along the trail north of Tortugas.

Around the bend from north to east.

What the mountains are made of.

A mountain biker beat us to it.

Looking west to Tortugas.

On the West Side

Prickly Pear Cacti, Hedgehog Cactus and a Creosote Bush on the steep bank of Tortugas.

A crowd of Soaptree Yuccas in the sandy desert.

The road around the mountain.

Two late-blooming Mexican Poppies.

A small arroyo west of Tortugas Mountain.

Sunset Side Scramble

A very late blooming Ocotillo.

The steep western flank of Tortugas.

Becca on the "New" trail.

The "New" trail is so new one of the Ocotillos still has an orange marker on it.

A long, dusty road through the desert.

East Side Ramble

Looking back the way we came on the Tortugas Mountain trail.

Where Tortugas Mountain and the Organ Mountains intersect visually.

An Ocotillo and other desert flora on the steep flank of the mountain.

Green pipe cleaners in front of the Organ Mountains.

Becca loves her desert hikes.

Flora and Fauna

A cluster of Yuccas (actually a single plant) on the west side of Tortugas.

Two Ocotillos on a stretch of flat land.

Soaptree Yucca in front of a tall Ocotillo.

Creosote, Yuccas, Ocotillos and Pichacho Mountain in the background.

A Red-tail Hawk in flight (computer-enhanced image).

Yuccas and Ocotillos

A large Yucca on a rock-strewn slope on the west side of Tortugas.

Ocotillos in a rocky arroyo on the western flank of the mountain.

Monte Vista

A major arroyo on the north side of Tortugas.

A fully-blossomed Sotol on a rocky ridge.

Tortugas Mountain (left) and the Organ Mountains (right).

Becca takes a break.