Another Monday Solo with Heelers

1st 3:  spectacular clouds over Tortugas and the Organs

Dr. K had a 9:30 meeting this morning so it was the "O"s and me on the daily trek.

We followed our normal route until we got three-fourths of the way up the left branch arroyo before veering into the desert eastward.

We did a fair amount of bushwhacking across to the saddle and up onto the hill.  From there we retraced our steps to the left branch and finished our normal hike.  "O"s were happy with the choices I made about where to go.

The "O"s

Soaptree and the mountains

This & next:  Tortugas and the Organs

Soaptree Yucca spent seed pods

FriO giving me that look

This & next:  collar bone clouds

Lone Soaptree

Queen and King of the hill

Tortugas and the Organs

Lone Soaptree

 

Sunday Fun

Early morning moon (Waning Crescent 48% illuminated)

We intended to do our regular hike this morning, but due to the presence of other outdoor enthusiasts we had to alter track.

When we reached the left branch arroyo, instead of heading south where a group of people had parked their vehicles in the Tellbrook/Sonoma Ranch lot, we went north across the Tellbrook Arroyo and explored small arroyos we've been in many times before.

At first I hesitated to let Frio and Willow off lead, but they were very good listening to me and not running off after various critter scents.  After much exploration we retraced our steps and finished up by ascending the right branch arroyo and climbing the steep hill to the west to where the CR-V was parked on the upper flatland road.

It was a very good outing today.

Soaptree Yuccas

Barrel Cactus

Heading north up a small arroyo

This & next 2:  "O"s in an arroyo

Soaptree trio

Prickly Pear with small tree

Tortugas and the Organs

This & next:  Potrillo Mountains

Tire tracks in the Tellbrook Arroyo

Soaptree, moon, ocotillos

 

Warm Saturday Hike

Soaptrees and the mountains

45F, sunny and no wind this morning when we set off on our usual hike.  Saw no one while we were out there.

"O"s

Soaptree Yucca leaves and stalk

Soaptree Yucca spent seed pod

"O"s

Down the middle branch

Tortugas sans tower

Soaptree Yuccas (foreground), Torrey Yucca (right)

This & next:  Organs

"O"s

Picacho and environs

Flank of Tortugas and the Organs

 

Lovely Morning

This morning's moon

The weather this morning was pleasant:  45F at start of hike, bright sunshine, little breeze.

We did an extended trek today, heading off trail right before we reached the ancient Soaptree Yucca, striking east to the hill, climbing to the top and then descending down through the saddle and back over to the left branch.

From there we finished the rest of our normal hike.  Heelers were well satisfied with the outing.

Barrel, Frio, Willow

Three yuccateers

Heelers climbing the hill

Near the crest

King of the hill

Long view to the southwest

Soaptrees

Willow at rest, Frio on the go

Even more Soaptrees