First Steps in the First Wilderness Part 6: Late July
Monday, July 29th, 2019: Hikes, Holt, Mogollon Mountains, Southwest New Mexico.
When I started this familiar hike in late morning, there was not a cloud in the sky over the entire mountain range. By the time I reached the peak in mid-afternoon, cumulus clouds were massing over the center of the range. As I returned down the canyon, a dark ceiling hung overhead, thunder was rolling behind me, and a light rain was falling. And as I drove toward home in early evening, most of the clouds had dispersed.
The canyon bottom was even more of a jungle than before. I wondered how thick it can get by the end of monsoon season!
Probably a spotted towhee
A jay
Looking back at thunderclouds massing over the peak I was leaving
Because this spring is just below a high peak, the water is pure and doesn’t need to be treated. Some of the best-tasting water I’ve ever had!
Garter snake – first snake I’ve seen here
Rain clouds all gone