Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument

Entering Aguirre Springs National Recreation Area

If the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks Wilderness Act eventually passes through Congress and is signed by President Obama this area will become a national monument.  For environmentalists, conservationists and nature lovers it more than meets all the requirements.  In my opinion it should qualify on beauty alone.  You can learn more about it here:

www.organmountains.org

The rugged eastern side of the Organ Mountains

Thinking like a Bighorn Sheep

Scene from a Zen painting

Volcano-like mountain

Looking toward the San Andres Mountains

Along the higher reaches of the Baylor Pass Trail

Finding a place out of the wind for lunch

Pine trees cling to the rugged eastern escarpment of the Organ Mountains

Heading back from Baylor Pass

Sun and clouds work together to produce good desert light

The formation called the Rabbit Ears

Sugarloaf Peak (left)

Heading home

Where the lawman Pat Garrett had his goat ranch

Rain Day

A trail up the west face of Tortugas Mountain

It had already rained a little by the time Becca and I got on the trail, but we were fortunate not to get wet during a long weekend hike.  There were a few other outdoor enthusiasts around and about, but things really got hopping when we reached the parking area after our trek.  It may have been an organized group activity that drew so many people to Tortugas; the parking lot was packed.  In Becca's way of thinking we were getting out of there just in time.

Heavy overcast above the foothills trail

Looking back at the mountain

The threat of rain is imminent

Picacho in sunlight

Across the rugged desert floor

Huge Pencil Cholla

Beyond Tortugas, the Organ Mountains

Heading back into the foothills

Clearing skies

Full house at the Sunset parking lot

Cloudy Start

Overcast skies

Although the skies were completely cloudy when we headed out this morning, the temperature was not very cold.  The dew point was elevated, though, and we're expecting rain later this afternoon.  We did a long hike into the outback, and on the return leg we were fortunate enough to run into J.C. and his dog, Shaque.  Shaque is an old-timer--fourteen--but a real trooper.  Despite some recent health problems he still gets out to do a hike every day with J.C.

A long way to Bishop's Cap (near center)

Always attentive Becca

Nearer to Bishop's Cap

Southern section of the Organ Mountains

Little desert garden

Who's that I see?

It's Shaque

Shaque takes a stick from J.C.

Shaque is 14, but still playing with sticks

Heading for the 70s

I never donned my gloves this morning, and I had to remove my vest halfway through our hike.  There was almost no wind, and the temperature felt as if it was soaring toward the lower 70s.  I know better than to allow myself to get Spring Fever this early, but it sure was nice out there today.  We ran into Jimmy, who was headed down from the mountain crest, and the three of us hiked back to the Sunset Parking area together.  Becca was happy to see her buddy, but soon lost in smell as she explored all the different scents in the desert.

Enjoying the Warmth

The ramada at the Sunset Parking area

The wind was up when we started off this morning, and at 33 F. it felt pretty chilly.  But by the midpoint of the hike the wind had stopped and the sun shone brightly, warming the ambient air temperature.  We're heading for 67 F., a fact I shouldn't reveal to my cousin who's freezing in Kentucky.  We did an equal part of bushwhacking and trail hiking today, but we saw no coyotes or deer.  We did find deer scat and tracks, though.

Plato's analogy of the hikers

Number One canine

In an arroyo far west of Tortugas Mountain

Bushwhacking back to a trail

We use the Yucca (center) to find the single-track trail back to the east

Why they're called "Red-Tail Hawks"

Pesky Wind

For the second day (without fair warning from the meteorologists in El Paso) the wind has blown consistently strongly throughout our hike, making the somewhat warmer temperatures feel much colder.  The chilled wind persisted all during the time we trekked around Tortugas Mountain, turning what could have been a pleasant hike into a not-so-pleasant hike.  We're headed for 64 F. today.

The Difference Between Low and High

Getting started on Tortugas

Dr. K, Becca and I took a hike on the west side of Tortugas Mountain before heading straight up to the high country to check on our cabin.  A friend who has a place in the Sacramentos told us that they had no water because the water-storage tank was frozen.  Fortunately, our storage tank--which is plumbed from the bottom--was fine; and the pumphouse heater was working properly, so all the equipment was toasty.  Well, maybe not "toasty," but not frozen.  Two of Becca's dog buddies--Champ and Hoss--came to see us.  It was a nice, albeit short, visit.

Crazy canine on the run

Strong wind led to dynamic sky

Up ahead of the pack

Wind-shredded clouds

Remnants of snow in the high country

Patches of snow at our high-country retreat