Davis Mountains State Park We combined the Indian Lodge Loop with an out and back to the scenic overlook on the Skyline Trail. Overall, we hiked 6 miles with 1500′ of climbing. The Indian Lodge Loop started appropriately from...
Bear Canyon/Bowl/Tejas Loop, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Guadalupe Mountains are are one of the best examples of a marine fossil reef. The mountain range is built from the ancient Capitán Reef, formed during the Permian Period 260-270 million years ago. A tropical ocean covered parts...
Devil’s Hall, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
After a couple days of big hikes we took an easy day and hiked Devil’s Hall in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It was 5 miles with somewhere over 700′ of climbing. This trail climbs gradually from the lot then...
Guadalupe Peak, Texas Highpoint
The highest point in Texas is Guadalupe Peak at 8751′ and we stood atop it with pride. During last summer we hiked the highest mountain in Colorado, Mt Elbert. It seemed fitting that we should do the same here...
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
UNREAL! Carlsbad Caverns National Park exceeded my expectations. At 16 years old, Jim White discovered Carlsbad Caverns. Well, actually over 1,000 years ago, American Indians ventured into the entrance but left no evidence of entering the cave. One day...
McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Our hike up McKittrick Canyon to “The Notch” and back was around 10 miles with all our exploring and add ons. The sky was cloudy and the wind was gusting when we started but after the first mile or...
Franklin Mountain, El Paso
Camping and Aztec Caves We made the short drive from our spot in Las Cruces, NM to Franklin Mountain State Park in El Paso, TX. We’re camped right at the mountains and it’s pretty sweet. The park closes at...
Doña Ana & Soledad Canyon, Las Cruces
Dona Ana Trails The BLM’s Doña Ana Trails in Las Cruces are worth it if you’re in the area, which we are. Derek and I rode 17 miles with 1666′ of climbing. From the parking area the trail climbs...
White Sands National Park
White Sands National Park is the newest National Park, designated such in 2019. Before then it was a National Monument. Some 275 square miles of dazzling white gypsum sand dunes shift and settle in the Tularosa Basin a short...
Dripping Springs
Once again, we put our National Park pass to use and visited Dripping Springs Natural Area. It’s Bureau of Land Management and normal $5 but they accept the park pass so it was no charge for us. We spent...