Not Out of the Woods Yet

Already into the lower desert

Our chances of rain are diminished today, but pretty high--in the 30% to 40% range.  It's still incredibly humid, but a constant breeze kept it feeling plenty cool out there.   We ran into three mountain bikers who were parked while palavering right at the intersection where we usually descend into the lower desert.  Becca was on her best behavior during the encounter.  She also behaved extremely well when we ran into a man and woman who were hiking down into the desert while we were ascending on another trail.  High point of the hike:  spotting Rain Lillies all over the sandy desert.

Rain Lily starting to bloom

Skies are still threatening

This Ocotillo's leaves are paler green than the others

Nobody has walked through this arroyo since the heavy rains

Looking the other way up the arroyo

Headed back toward Tortugas

Rain Lilies were flowering all over

Where I always find them is in sandy, well-draining soil

The kind of soil where Rain Lilies thrive

Dispersing seeds and blooming at the same time

Getting close to the mountain

Dark Day with Exceptions

Hugging the western flank of Tortugas

The dewpoint was under 60 F when Becca and I headed out after sunrise (there was no sun), and a nice breeze kept conditions feeling very cool.  We ran into several mountain bikers and a jogger, Joe.  We often bump into Joe on the weekends. He jogs to the top of Tortugas and back.  He told us he got an early start this morning.  Quite a few other people were out enjoying the 68-degree temperature.  We only made it into the high 70s yesterday, but I think we're slated to barely squeak by 80 today.

Skirting along the foothills

A ripe Prickly Pear

Coyotes eat these fruits despite the thorns

A happy stand of Ocotillos (okay, that's anthropomorphism)

Heavy clouds draped over the Organ Mountains

In the west a hint of blue

Do we really have to go this way?

A patch of blue

Striated sky

Dark and light

In the distance Picacho (Sp. = "peak"), northwest side of Las Cruces

Desert Looks Like Rain

Starting from Monte Vista under threatening skies

All during our trek this morning Dr. K, Becca and I wondered if we would get rained upon; well, Becca didn't wonder.  Fortunately I only felt one raindrop on my arm for the entire hike.  The sky certainly was promising to open up at any minute and douse us big time.  We're still under a flash flood watch until Sunday morning, and the threat of storms is substantial.  There were many people out taking advantage of the cool weather, including the boys who were throwing rocks from a cliff face.

Back of Tortugas

Looking south toward El Paso

A very healthy Ocotillo

Dr. K and the Beckster

Raining over the Organ Mountains

Waiting for another drink of rainwater

A bit of light over the Organs

Young geniuses imperiling their lives to throw rocks from the cliff

A fairly-crowded Monte Vista parking lot

Rain!

Thoroughly-soaked Ocotillo

Just after midnight this morning the skies opened up and the rain poured down.  I had to jump out of bed to shut the patio enclosure doors.  It rained on and off through the night, and this morning local meteorologists were reporting 3" of rain in parts of Las Cruces.  Becca and I got in a fairly long hike under clearing conditions, but it's raining again now, and we're under flash flood warnings through Sunday.  Looks as if the next three days will be plenty soggy.

Getting off trail in a wet desert

A Devil's Head Cactus (Echinocereus horizonthalonius) plump with rain

Three-foot Barrel Cactus

Wisps of clouds almost touching earth

Ocotillo flower after rainstorm

More storms on the horizon

Clouds over the Organs

Not sure what this geological feature on the horizon is

Becca and puddle

Clouds obscure the Organ Mountains

Getting ready to head back up the mountain

A Barrel Cactus getting ready to bloom

Flower buds of the Barrel Cactus

Rainwater dripping from Ocotillo leaves

Raindrop

Section of Las Cruces, New Mexico

Heading home