Arroyo Reverse Route

First 4:  views from the upper flatland road

Willow, Frio and I reversed route on our hike this morning, heading down LDR-A to the Tellbrook Arroyo, jogging right to the intersection with the arroyo we've been exploring, and heading up said arroyo to the trail (almost nonexistent) we followed down into the arroyo yesterday.

Our only problem came in finding that small trail, which  was barely recognizable due to heavy undergrowth.  After futilely going to-and-fro we finally identified the steep section that led us out of the arroyo and back to the upper flatland road.

Heelers were totally unperturbed about spending extra time searching for the narrow trail; in fact, they loved every second of it.  They got to enjoy bonus minutes in the outdoors.

This & next:  desert and mountains

This & next 2:  flora with Organ Mountains backdrop

Soaptree Yucca with Tortugas and Organ Mountains backdrop

Morning light on flora

Soaptree Yucca stalk

Small Whitethorn Acacia

Hill west of the Organs

This & next:  Cactus Wren on Soaptree Yucca stalk

Hill we must climb to get out of the arroyo

No way through

Ocotillo

Looking back at the way we just came

Prickly Pear near the head of the arroyo

Hedgehog Cacti sandwiching a Prickly Pear

Sumac

Frio and Willow

Upper flatland road

Long Dirt Road (LDR)

 

A New Way Down

This & next 2:  from our parking spot in the upper flatland

I had planned eventually to try a new route down to the arroyo we've been ascending over the past few days; I just didn't know that the attempt would be this morning.  But when Willow, Frio and I went to have a look at a possible descent into the arroyo we decided to have a go at it.

Although very steep and filled with talus in spots we managed to get down to the arroyo with little trouble.  From the head of the arroyo we were able to link up with the section we've explored before, having to bushwhack around obstacles only a few times.

The going was easy then, and we followed the semi-wide arroyo north all the way down to the Tellbrook, which we took to the intersection with LDR; and then it was the usual slog up the steep incline to the upper flatland.

This & next:  heading east along the upper flatland road

This & next 2:  bushwhacking down a steep hill to an arroyo

View from the arroyo

Tortugas and the Organs

Soaptree Yuccas

Frio and Willow heading north in the new arroyo

View of the mountains from the arroyo

Soaptree and the Organs

Early morning light in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

Torrey Yucca

Still green near the Tellbrook Arroyo

 

Arroyo Exploratons R Us

At the corner of LDR-A and upper flatland road

Willow, Frio and I trekked down LDR-A to the Tellbrook Arroyo, turned right, and then turned right again to head up the arroyo we've been exploring of late.  We went as far as we've gone in the past, but pushed it a little further today, twice having to detour out of the arroyo due to impassable barriers.

While we were at the far point of the morning hike we heard a chorus of coyotes close by, but we never saw them.  Just as well; the Heelers would have gone nuts.

After a brief pause for a rest and photo break we headed back, choosing to follow LDR into the upper flatland where the CR-V was parked.

Headed down LDR-A

Cloud wisps and contrails

Distant view of Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

Flank of Tortugas and observatory

Barrel Cactus fruit

Yucca far west of the Organ Mountains

Went just a bit further before turning around

Desert flora

Yucca and Ocotillos

Heelers in a narrow section of arroyo

Arroyo widens out

Willow and Frio

Tortugas and the Organs

Spent seed pods of a Soaptree Yucca