Yesterday when we rode the Epic Trail we rode up through Fresno Canyon and was enamored with the beauty. Today we hiked out to an overlook that put us 700 feet up above where we had ridden. This was a 5 mile out and back + some extra we added on hiking around the cliffs …
In Spanish, “cinco tinajas” loosely means “five water filled rock basins”. When we checked in at the Visitors Center the first day, we saw a brochure for this hike and it looked interesting. All in all, the hike was around 5 miles with all our side trips and wandering. The cinco tinajas are a short …
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 Indian Lodge. This is a quaint full service lodge with stark white adobe walls. In 1930 …
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 of the area and over millions of years, calcareous sponges, algae, and other organisms built up …
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 drops down into Pine Springs Camyon wash where the hike stays the rest of the time. …
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 in Texas. Our hike was an out and back of 8.4 miles with 3000′ of climbing. …
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 in the late 1800’s White thought he saw smoke coming from the area and when he …
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 so it died down and by mile 3 the sun was out and it was warm. …
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 5:00 so for the first night we were all alone in the park. SO QUIET! Franklin …
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 ever so slightly but is generally very fast. We rode almost all the trails out there …