Hiking High Desert

Starting out on the Sierra Vista Trail

Dr. K, Becca and I did the Sierra Vista Trail this morning, and in the two hours we spent out there we saw no other hikers.  We did see a small herd of Mule Deer at quite a distance from us.  Though we weren't close, they were jittery at our presence and put more distance between them and us.  The photos are a bit sketchy because I had to use the highest zoom power, which, although I had the "anti-shake" function turned on, always affects the quality of the shots in terms of sharpness and light.

Spanish Daggers along the trail

Looking east at the Organ Mountains

Narrow, but deep arroyo out of the mountains

Heading south toward Bishop's Cap

They saw us first

Browsing in the high desert

Can't take my eyes off of you

Let's get this show on the road

We're out of here

Back to the trailhead

Flora and Fauna

Getting started

Becca and I kicked up a small herd of Mule Deer while bushwhacking in the desert west of Tortugas Mountain.  We were very close at first, and they took off at a trot.  I didn't think we'd see them again, but as we started up the foothills trail Becca spotted them.  The deer were far enough away not to worry about us any longer, so we all stood and stared at each other until they decided it was time to go.  They looked pretty healthy from what I could see of them.

Becca in red desert sand

Becca was very interested in the den at the base of this Soaptree Yucca

2 1/2-foot Barrel Cactus

Rainbow Hedgehog Cactus

Pencil Cholla

Mule Deer in the western foothills

Curious about us

Small herd

Time to get moving

Beautiful Morning

Heading down the foothills trail

It felt a bit chilly when Becca and I set off this morning, and the wind was a bit stiff in the outback.  But the wind subsided, and the day warmed up nicely.  I experienced a sense of melancholy when we passed an old-timer Torrey Yucca that we've passed often during our many hikes.  Over the last year we've watched it decline rapidly.  Part of it has already toppled over, and the rest won't be far behind.  Human beings are social animals, and it's often peculiar what objects they find to bond with socially.  But a Yucca?

An old Torrey Yucca at the end of its line

On the Crosscut Trail

The rolling desert

This Soaptree Yucca has lost one of its heads

Book Cover

I'm thinking of self-publishing a collection of short fiction--sixteen stories set in America's desert Southwest--and this is the cover I created to use.  Any thoughts about it?

Wind Once Again

Still on the lead

The weather forecasters on the morning news out of El Paso said nothing about wind today, but we sure experienced some in the outback west of Tortugas Mountain. It was downright chilly, too.  I'm still keeping Becca on lead during our hikes to make sure she doesn't run or spin too much.  When she's happy or excited she tends to whirl like a dervish.  On the way back to the trailhead we ran into Jimmy, J.C. and Shaque.  Becca is always glad to see her buddies, canine and human alike.  

Ocotillos line the trail out of the foothills

A sandy section of desert where Soaptree Yuccas and Creosotes grow

Hello to Winter Again

Becca spots something off trail

It was 21 F. when we hit the trail this morning, with a persistent wind that dropped the wind chills into the mid-teens.  Fortunately--unlike a few days ago--Becca and I were dressed appropriately.  We were lucky enough to run into J.C., his wife, and their dog, Shaque this morning, but we didn't chat too long because of the wind.  When we got back to the Sunset Parking area we bumped into Greg, who was just starting out on his tri-weekly trek to the top of the mountain.  He was really pleased to see Becca, and the feeling was reciprocated by her.

A particularly sandy section of the desert west of Tortugas Mountain

This 24-second video gives you an idea of what the wind was like west of the mountain this morning.  If you look carefully you'll see that this huge Torrey Yucca is actually moving in the wind.

The Beckster's Return

Eager to keep moving west of Tortugas

Becca was able to resume hiking after a week off.  I kept her on the lead during an abbreviated hike in order to thwart any desire to run.  She did fine, and I didn't see her limping at all.  I was surprised to discover a baby Strawberry Pitaya Cactus growing right alongside the foothills trail.  We must have passed it plenty of times without noticing it.  I'll be looking forward to see if it blossoms in the spring, putting out one of the most fantastic flowers in all of the desert Southwest.

Baby Strawberry Pitaya Cactus

Closeup of Strawberry Pitaya

The trail ahead

Looking back at Tortugas