MLK Day

Don't wander carelessly off the trail here

I expected more people to be out on the mountain during this federal holiday, Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  JC, Shaque, Becca and I did run into a small family while we were headed back to the parking area.  JC managed to snag Shaque, who wanted to gallop ahead to greet the children.  Becca went a short distance off trail and lay down when I gave the command, "Down!"  Afterward Becca and I went to gas up the RAV4 and get a car wash.  Becca is never thrilled about riding through the car wash with me.

This is what you call "forging ahead."

Dissipating contrail

Sunny morning in the Chihuahuan Desert

Computer-enhanced Red-Tail Hawk image

Near the Organ Mountains

On the Sierra Vista Trail

At the ranch this morning it was windy and cold, so Dr. K and I dressed appropriately for our hike with Becca.  However, when we got up into the high foothills beside the Organ Mountains it was sunny and warm.  No wind.  Midway on our trek it became evident we were overdressed.  When we stopped for water I removed my PolarPlus vest, and still I felt warm on the inbound leg (inbound leg of the trail, that is).  By the time we reached our car at the trailhead both Dr. K and I had raised a little perspiration.  A very good hike nonetheless.

A spinal column too small to be bovine

The rugged mountains

Moon over Tortugas Mountain

Headed for Bishop's Cap

Through a grassy section of desert

Southern reaches of the Organ Mountains

Way up ahead on the return trip

Saturday Crowd

Things are about to warm up

The lot at the Sunset Parking area was pretty full this morning, and people were out enjoying the mountain.  When Becca and I were about to enter our house after we returned home she bent her nose to sniff something.  When I told her to "leave it," and she did, I saw that there was a small, mummified frog with its head right against the front door step-up.  I don't know if it froze to death, but the thought that it was seeking heat made me feel sad.  I moved it so I could take a picture of the emaciated carcass.

Balloonists getting an early start

Balloons and Pichacho Peak

This way to the lower desert

Inviting Chihuahuan Desert postcard

It's a long haul this way

At the horizon line

Eagle eyes

Mummified frog on our doorstep

Skin and bones

Weekend Starts Now

White-winged Dove

It was a bit windy when we hit the trail this morning, but the temperature was higher than in recent days.  Becca and I did a long hike then linked up with JC and Shaque to hike about 2/3 of the inner loop trail.  There were a few other outdoor enthusiasts around the mountain, but we didn't run into any.  Afterwards I drove up Telshor to Celebrate (liquor store) because I felt like having a few beers tonight.  I chose one of my favorites:  Dale's Pale Ale, a decent IPA put out by the Oskar Blues Brewery in Colorado.

This jet looks as if it's traveling straight up, like a rocket

Looking for a spot off trail to take care of business

1/4 lbs. lighter

Intersecting lines

The noble canine

JC, Shaque and Becca

Darned Wind

Centennial High School and the Dona Ana Mountains

It was 32 F when Becca and I hit the trail this morning, but it felt much colder because of a biting wind.  We hooked up with JC and Shaque on our return hike, so we hiked the inner loop trail with them.  When we were all headed for our cars Shaque ran ahead and greeted two young women in his super friendly way; but  one of the women was perturbed by his presence.  Referring to Shaque, I said to her, "He's very friendly."  The women walked by without speaking.  I made a comment to JC about their unfriendliness, at which point one turned back and said, "I've been bitten three times by friendly dogs."

Can't wait to get into the sun

Bedrock exposed by running water

Done with bushwhacking for now

Straight shot back into the high foothills

Hiking in the Middle

In the distance:  Centennial High School

Hiking in the middle of the week, that is.  It was quite cold when Becca and I started off this morning:  29F.  But things warmed up enough for me to remove my PolarPlus vest about midway through the trek.  We hiked with JC and Shaque for about 2/3 of the inner loop trail; by then I had removed my gloves and my ear flaps.  I think we're heading for a high near sixty degrees.  That's quite pleasant for mid-January in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.

Moseying along at this point

Looking back toward Las Cruces from the high foothills

What's black-and-white & red all over:  Becca, Shaque, collar and tongue

Shopping Day at the Hacienda

Shortened the hike a bit this morning so I could go shopping at both Target and Albertson's.  We did trek part of the inner loop trail with JC and Shaque, but we couldn't spend much time chatting afterward because of errand-running obligations.  I noticed when I bought a frozen pizza at Target (a California Kitchen's Margherita) that the darned thing was 2/3 the size of the one I bought several months ago.  This is the most infuriating kind of downsizing because the price of the product stays the same or is raised.