Adventure Travel Photography Blog
As a native Texan, I’m sorry to say it took me 54 years to finally visit the Blue Bell Creamery, whose slogan when I grew up was “The Best Ice Cream in the Country.” While I tend to agree, I’m certain people from other states might not, so I will concede and go with the slogan, “Blue Bell is the state ice cream of Texas.” I can’t think of too many Texans who would disagree.
DIG IN!
Well, it had been thirteen years since I last visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park as part of my year long road trip around the USA. My first visit was in haste because I wasn’t sure I was allowed to leave my dog Petey in VANilla and didn’t want to break the rules on Federal property.
My second visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park came after spending three days in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Without my crazy dog Annie in tow, I had a more leisurely visit.
I stopped in the Visitors Center in the late afternoon as the tours were ending to find out about the bats and the following day tour options. I learned in late April, I didn’t need a reservation for bat viewing or a cave tour if I came first thing in the morning. That said, I should have purchased the tickets the prior afternoon when there was hardly a line!
DESCEND INTO DARKNESS!
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in West Texas’ Chihuahuan Desert with Carlsbad, New Mexico being 55 miles to the north and Del City, Texas being 44 miles to the south. Fill up with gas in one of these two cities, as the area is remote.
During my drive through the West Texas desert plains dotted with oil wells, I wondered to myself, why is Guadalupe Mountains a National Park? I mean, yes, there are some high desert mountains featuring southwestern terrain and lovely fall foliage, but what makes it special?
While the park doesn’t display jaw-dropping scenery like Yosemite, Rocky Mountain National Park, or the Grand Tetons, it is pretty and home to the highest point in Texas. But the main reason for the 135 square miles being designated a national park is for it being the largest exposed reef in the world!
I had no idea I’d be hiking through the Chihuahuan Desert loaded with marine fossils while exploring historic ranches, admiring cool rock formations, and hiking to the top of Texas. Guadalupe Mountains National Park pleasantly surprised me.
For those who enjoy hiking and visiting historic sites, plan to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park for three days and spend at least one day at nearby Carlsbad Caverns.
EXPLORE!
I’ve been wanting to hike to the highest point in Texas for a while now. I finally made it to Guadalupe Mountains National Park this past April and knocked out Guadalupe Peak. I’m surprised I overlooked this National Park when I was visiting Carlsbad Caverns during a year long road trip across the USA. I was less than 30 miles away from the park that otherwise requires some effort to reach, as indicated by the many “No Gas” sign warnings dotting the highway.
Carlsbad, New Mexico is approximately 50 miles north of the park and the closest public airport to Guadalupe Peak is in El Paso, 110 miles to the southwest. Definitely come with a full tank of gas and provisions to complete this 8.1-mile roundtrip hike that begins at the Pine Springs entrance.
HAPPY HIKING!
Devil’s Hall Trail is in Guadalupe Mountains National Park located in West Texas. The hardest part of this trail is getting there. Not because of dirt roads, but because the park is in a desolate area and 50 miles from the closest gas station. Fortunately, there are many signs that warn drivers to fill up!
You can fill up in Carlsbad, New Mexico 50 miles north of the trailhead or 63 miles south of the trailhead parking in Van Horn, Texas. In a jam, you can get gas in Whites City which is at the entrance of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. But being the only gas station along with an RV park, motel, and small store for grocery provisions, the price is much higher. If you are flying in, El Paso is the closest airport, 110 miles away. If you are driving from Houston, Austin, or San Antonio, Fort Stockton is a good resting point.
Once in the general area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park go to the Pine Springs entrance. This entrance includes a Visitors Center, a basic campground, bathrooms, and a small parking area for Devil’s Hall Trail.
This parking lot also serves Guadalupe Mountain, the highest peak in Texas, as well as other hiking paths, so it is best to arrive early to get a spot. Not to mention, you will beat the heat if you are hiking in late spring, summer, or fall.
HAPPY HIKING!
While visiting Katy for two weeks of horse shows, I had a day off between the events and took a short road trip to San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge.
Established in 1968, the refuge encompasses 70,000 acres from the coast to 50 miles inland. It protects coastal prairies, lakes and marshes (both fresh and salt), as well as riparian and bottomland forests that attract 320 species of birds.
While it is recognized internationally as a Significant Shorebird Site along with nearby the Brazoria and Big Boggy refuges, San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges is home to much more wildlife including deer and alligators.
EXPLORE
Anyone that follows my blog likely knows that I prefer hiking in the crisp mountain air to a body of water, like this hike to Sawtooth Lake, so metroplex hikes in the Dallas/Fort Worth area don’t exactly compare. That said, I was pleasantly surprised by the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge.
Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is located 11 miles northwest of Fort Worth. The nature area comprised of forests, prairies, and wetlands was established in 1964. Owned and operated by the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge is one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States.
HAPPY HIKING!
As I mentioned yesterday, I arrived relatively early to the Visitor Center in Zion National Park, parked VANilla under a shady tree, and boarded the shuttle for a 30 minute ride to the Grotto. From the Grotto, I took the mile long, rocky Kayenta Trail along the cliff’s edge overlooking the Virgin River lined in cottonwoods. As I rounded the bend, in the distance a tall cascade of water tumbled from the cliff side in the morning sunlight. The waterfall reflected every color of the rainbow…what a pleasant surprise! It was hard to contain my eagerness to reach the Upper and Lower Emerald Pool Trail.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN!