Cold Overcast

Doña Ana Mountains

Had there been anything more than a slight breeze out there this morning I'd have frozen my biscuits off.  Nevertheless, it was quite cold around Tortugas Mountain.  Surprisingly there were quite a few other outdoor enthusiasts about, including JC, who Becca and I hiked with back to the vehicles.  Down the road in El Paso the 81st annual Sun Bowl football game will be played between Arizona State and Duke, but the weather right now looks anything bu sunny.

Hiking across the flank

Getting down into the lower desert

This makes you cold just looking at it

The Organ Mountains are out there somewhere

There they are

The Tortoise from the west

Bishop Cap reveals itself

Southern section of the Organs

Mountain bikers dressed for the weather

A Day Late

Boulder puddles from last night's rain

We missed having a White Christmas by one day.  Overnight and into the early-morning hours we got rain and light snow; it only stuck to the Organ Mountains, though.  Still, it makes for a pretty day after Christmas.  We only ran into a few other people around Tortugas during our hike; one, a blonde woman runner, said, "I didn't think anybody else would be out here."  I said, "Only us lunatics."  I realized immediately that I had included her in the category of "lunatics" though I really had meant no disrespect.

This Purple Prickly Pear must taste delicious

Trekking in the cold temps

Blankets of cloud and snow

Round back of Tortugas looking at the Organ Mountains

A nice dusting of snow on the Organs

The community of Talavera got light snow

Some of the "organ pipe" spires in the Organ Mountains

A good bit of the white stuff

Looking east at the Organs

Heading back

Mountains on the west mesa got snow, too

Christmas at the Tortoise

Crowdsourcing

Becca and I encountered one mountain biker and one runner this morning, and there were only two cars in the Sunset Parking lot when we started off.  There were only four cars there when we got back after a moderately-long hike in the cold, overcast Chihuahuan Desert.  Today is supposed to get ugly later on as the wind gusts to 40+ m.p.h.

To any and all who may on occasion read this blog:  Merry Christmas.

Bishop Cap

Christmas Eve Hike

Striking for the sun

Several good things about this morning's hike:  even though it was cold (29 F), there was far less wind than yesterday; and on the way back to the car Becca and I ran into Jimmy, with whom we chatted for at least fifteen minutes before Gregg came along.  We all shot the breeze for a few minutes more before Becca and I had to mosey along.  Both Jimmy and Gregg were headed for the mountaintop, but via different routes.  Gregg was taking the road up, and Jimmy was hiking a steep western trail to the crest.

Warmth at last

Sunny but cold

Behind Tortugas

The road less traveled

West of the Tortoise

Filled with hot air

Back to the Tortoise

Heading into the lower desert

These photos might make it look sunny and warm here in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, but I can assure you it was windy and cold; in fact, it was so blustery and uncomfortable that JC and I didn't spend any time talking when we got back to our cars.  Becca was anxious to hop into the back of my car and get out of the gusty wind.  Nevertheless, she and I had a nice welcome-home hike around Tortugas Mountain.

Looking back at the Tortoise

Critter search

Chihuahuan Raven having a snack

Taking off Stealth-jet fashion

Clouds over the Organ Mountains

About to head back

Tortugas and the Organs

Thunderbird Conservation Park Days 3 and 4

Just after sunset

Dr. K, Becca and I are back in the Chihuahuan Desert after spending four days in the Sonoran Desert with my brother and his wife.  We had a great short visit before making the 6 1/2-hour drive back home today.  Although we enjoyed our hikes in Thunderbird Conservation Park we couldn't get over the constant noise in the area, whether from nonstop car traffic, airplanes and jets flying overhead,  or the voices from the countless people taking advantage of the park's pleasant environment.

Happy hiker

Large Palo Verde tree

This is the Sonoran Desert in late December

Checking for other critters

Palo Verde trees are abundant in the park

This Saguaro Cactus is probably over 200 years old

At the side of the trail

Feathery clouds and a contrail

The park is nearly surrounded by development

A giant Saguaro

Texas Canyon (between Benson and Willcox, Arizona