Aborted Trek

First 2:  Barrel Cactus in snow

Due to extremely cold temps, ice and some snow we had to abort our morning hike today.  I did take both Frio and Willow, separately, up and down our arroyo to give them a bit of exercise and allow them to do their business.

When I was out with Frio the snow was coming down in small pellets; when I was with Willow the flakes had gotten a bit bigger.  We had, at most, 1/2" when we woke up this morning.  I doubt we'll get much more.

Temperatures will stay really cold, however, and we're worried about the cabin, where the low tonight will be 5F.

Our "new" stretch of fence

Headed down our arroyo

This & next:  Frio in our arroyo

Soaptree Yuccas in snow

This & next:  Willow in our arroyo

This & next:  a very, very, very fine house

Mesquite on our arroyo bank

 

Before the Snow

Ocotillos and mountains

It was slightly overcast when Willow, Frio and I set off this morning, but the sun eventually broke through and highlighted the beautiful clouds hovering in the blue sky.  It was unusually warm for a day in early February, but that's going to change beginning this afternoon.

We did our usual hike today, and the Heelers weren't very well behaved.  Grades given out for less than exemplary behavior:  B- for Frio and C for Willow.  Lots of pulling and extra sniffing going on out there.

Apparently the chances for snow are pretty good for tonight leading into tomorrow.  We'll see what Thursday morning brings.

Bright clouds at right almost look like alternate suns

Crazy clouds

This & next:  sunlight on a ridge behind Picacho Peak

This & next:  more Ocotillos and clouds

Frio and Willow

Clouds

Clouds over the Organs

Allthorn

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  ridge west of the Organ Mountains

This & next:  tree in Right Branch Arroyo

This & next:  Willow and Frio

Last 3:  clouds over the Organ Mountains

 

A Patchwork Hike

Teeth

Willow, Frio and I did a mix-and-match kind of hike this morning, descending the LDR-A arroyo, heading east on the cross trail to the new arroyo, and then tacking north across the Tellbrook Arroyo.

From there we followed several different tracks until reaching the branch arroyo that leads to the old road Becca and I used to explore fairly often.  The Heelers and I followed that arroyo to the old road, and then we ascended the road to the top of the hill, from where we turned around and headed back.

Crossing the Tellbrook again at the new arroyo we went south up Right Branch Arroyo into its source.  As usual we exited the arroyo up the steep hill just east of the upper flatland road.

Interesting clouds

Clouds over distant mountains

This & next 3:  clouds over the Organ Mountains

Desert hills

This & next:  Frio and Willow on break

This & next:  the arroyo we're heading north in

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

In another branch of the arroyo

Tree in the arroyo

Tortugas and the Organ Mountains

At center:  the arroyo we just explored

In Right Branch Arroyo looking north

Odd clouds

Amber?