Snowy Desert

Ice and a dusting of snow

Yes, it does snow occasionally in the northern Chihuahuan Desert.  The Chihuahuan is the largest desert in North America (200,000 square miles) and one of the highest, ranging in elevation from 3,000 to 5,000 feet with high mountains that reach a height of 12,000 feet.  According to the Encyclopedia of Earth, "The Chihuahuan Desert encompasses one of the most biologically diverse arid regions on Earth."  The desert stretches from southeastern Arizona, across southern New Mexico and West Texas deep into the central highlands of Mexico.

One-half inch at 4400 feet.

Road alongside Tortugas (Tortoise) Mountain

Iced thorns of a Prickly Pear Cactus

Torrey Yucca covered in powdered sugar

Wending her way along an icy trail

Frosted desert

There's a Hedgehog Cactus under there

Prickly Pear Cactus (so-called because of the pear-like fruit it bears)

West of the Tortoise

Crosscut Trail

Organ Mountains behind the western flank of Tortugas

Headed back toward the mountain

Frozen pad of a Prickly Pearsicle

Becca's Buddy Bonanza

Trekking along the high foothills

It was a good day for Ms. Becca this morning; she hit the hiking buddy mother load.   Not only did we meet up with JC for part of the hike, but we also ran into Gregg and Jimmy down near the trailhead.  As the four of us stood talking the Beckster went from one outdoor enthusiast to another to get her requisite number of affectionate head and ear rubs.  It is, indeed, a glorious day when Becca bumps into her buds.

The desert looks vast

No sooner had Becca poked her head in here . . .

than a Desert Cottontail popped out the other side

Not what you'd call a "snow sky," though snow is predicted for today

Small hawk in our Mesquite tree at home

Hard to ID, but it could be a Sharp-shinned Hawk

New Year's Day Trek

Behind Centennial High School the Doña Ana Mountains

I'm not sure if we dodged a bullet, but the weather was decidedly nicer this morning:  not as cold and partially sunny.  It's amazing what a little sun can do for the ambient temperature.  Two-thirds of the way through our hike I had to take off my light vest because I was warming too much.  We met up with JC and walked with him back to the trailhead, palavering about various topics along the way while Becca took advantage of my distraction by exploring areas I'd prefer she didn't.

Good day sunshine

Heading out of the foothills

Clouds over the southern Organ Mountains

Agua for the desert

Tortugas and the Organs

Heading back to the Tortoise

Frigid Temps

A familiar spot at the side of the mountain

It was 20 F when Becca and I started off on the trail alongside Tortugas Mountain.  The stiff breeze made for a freezing trek.  Fortunately I was dressed appropriately, though at times I had to press my gloved hand against my nose and mouth to warm the air I was breathing.  We met up with JC and hiked with him back to the trailhead; he, too, talked about how cold it felt out there.  The weather is predicted to get worse, with another cold front blowing through carrying freezing rain and snow.

Bleak sky

Cold as it looks

Tortugas (left), Organ Mountains (right)

Clouds rolling along the Organs

Cloudy and cold

At the end of the Crosscut Trail

Turning back toward Tortugas

Southwestern flank of the Tortoise

Brrr!

Beating the Wind

Local meteorologists have given us a "First Alert" about the Arctic Blast that will be descending upon us tonight, warning that high winds would push through in advance of the front.  Well the winds are here already in the early afternoon, but fortunately Becca and I were able to get in a decently-long hike before the blustery conditions started.  Temperatures are supposed to plummet tonight, and we have rain/snow in the forecast for Thursday and Friday.

Sunny Break

Cactus Wren supermodel

We're between cold-weather systems right now, and the weather is pleasant:  sunny (though chilly) with not much wind.  Things change on Thursday, however, as another cold front blows through with precipitation:  rain and snow.  We're enjoying the respite while we can.  To that end Becca and I did a long hike west of the Tortoise this morning.

Moseying along

Tortugas Mountain

There's a dog in this photo

Hot-air inversion in El Paso, Texas

Distraction

Flycatcher

Twenty-Degree Start

Just getting going on the Sierra Vista Trail

It was cold (20 F) when Dr. K, Becca and I headed out on the Sierra Vista Trail this morning.  The sun ameliorated the cold somewhat, but a persistent breeze kept things pretty chilly.  Nevertheless, we did a long hike on one of our favorite trails, which skirts along the western face of the Organ Mountains about ten miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico.  We saw not one other soul on the trail, but when we got back to the parking lot a man and a woman in a black pickup truck were just leaving.  They must have done a short hike on the Sierra Norte Trail.

Dr. K and Becca

Packrat and Becca

A home near the Organ Mountains (center right)

The single-track back

Don't pilfer plants

Tortugas Mountain, where we usually hike