Terlingua View

Captured by this week's featured photographer, Ted Bell of Little Rock, Arkansas, from near Terlingua Ghost Town.

You can see more of Ted's photographs at his flickr stream, here. Thanks, Ted!

Lightning Tree

Taken on the Smith Spring Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, by this week's featured photographer, Ted Bell of Little Rock, Arkansas.  Thanks, Ted!  To learn more about rain and lightning in the park, click here.

To view a slideshow of other images from Smith Spring Trail, click here.

For information on hiking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, click here.  For regional hiking information, visit our Texas Mountain Trail hiking page:  www.texasmountaintrail.com/hike

Looking towards Boquillas in Big Bend National Park

Another shot taken by Ted Bell of Little Rock, Arkansas...this time a lovely view from the road from Panther Junction looking towards Boquillas in Big Bend National Park. 

Check out Ted's flickr page to view more of his photos, here.

Cafe in Sierra Blanca

This week we feature the photographs of Ted Bell from Little Rock, Arkansas.  Here's his shot of a cafe sign in Sierra Blanca.  Check out Ted's Flickr stream here.  Thanks, Ted!

Redtail Hawks

From contributor, Larry Francell:  "On the road from Alpine to Fort Davis (Highway 118) before it drops down into the canyon, every morning there are several redtail hawks sitting on the power poles waiting for breakfast."  Thanks, Larry!

New! Coffee! Cornerstone in Van Horn

There's a new place in Van Horn to get coffee, tea, latte and hot chocolate--the Cornerstone at 102 W. Broadway, just across from the newly renovated Hotel El Capitan.  Both are located RIGHT on the crossroads of the original driving route, the Texas Mountain Trail!

The Cornerstone is a most comfortable, friendly place with a great potential to be a fun community spot to visit with friends and fellow travelers.  There are couches, books and game boards set up to enjoy a restful morning.  Check them out Monday through Saturday until 6 pm.

Bluebonnets in Big Bend National Park

The Big Bend area has had a great bluebonnet year!

Big Bend's Desert Floor

Spring is here in Big Bend National Park!

JUST about ready to pop

The cacti are just starting to bud and blossom...this was taken in Big Bend National Park, March 16.

Evening at El Capitan

El Capitan at Guadalupe Mountains National Park!

"El Cap" can be seen for miles, and is the most prominent feature of this wonderful, seldom visited national park.  It is also the ending point for the history-filled "El Cap to El Cap" bike ride and driving route on Hwy 54 from Van Horn.

Elk on Hwy 118 between Fort Davis and Alpine

Taken on a foggy, cold day by Larry Francell of the Museum of the Big Bend of Alpine.

Watching us from the Trail!

Some auodad watch hikers from the Devil's Hall Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park!  Thanks again to Marcy Stellfox for sharing her wonderful photos of her trip to Van Horn and the park.

Devil's Hall, the end of the Trail!

The end of this wonderful Devil's Hall Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the narrow path between two cliff faces.

The Park's website has this to say about the trail:

"Hike the streambed of Pine Springs Canyon, then climb the natural rock of the Hiker's Staircase, to the finale - the Devil's Hall. This rocky trail has very little elevation gain, and leads you through maples, ponderosa pine, and many plant varieties of the Chihuahuan desert. The trail is rated moderate; though it is only 4.2 miles round trip, allow 3-5 hours to enjoy this hike."

Here's more on the trail!

Hikers heading out on the Devil's Hall Trail

Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a great 4.2 mile roundtrip trail that never fails to disappoint, the Devil's Hall trail.  Hikers are treated to views of mountain vistas, the desert floor, rocks and boulders, a dry streambed, and interesting wildlife.  It is a good trail to tackle on a windy day, because most of the trail is sheltered by mountains and cliff faces.

Thanks again to Marcy Stellfox of Austin for sending us her great photos of her hike through Devil's Hall! 

For more information on hiking in the Texas Mountain Trail region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/hike

The Lobby of Van Horn's Hotel El Capitan

Another great shot of the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn from Marcy Stellfox of Austin.  Check out yesterday's entry for more information and links!

Hotel El Capitan

A lovely shot of the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn taken by Marcy Stellfox of Austin, a recent visitor and participant in our "El Cap to El Cap Heritage Bike Ride."  Thanks, Marcy!

The 1930s Hotel El Capitan was recently renovated and is listed as one of our historic hotels and a cycle-friendly property.

You can read more about the El Cap bike ride here.

Mexican Revolution Anniversary

Starting this spring, there will be celebrations and commemorations of the 100th anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.  We've built a webpage with links to community events across the Texas Mountain Trail region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/revolution

Thanks to the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine, for use of this photo of Pancho Villa, and Generals Pershing and Patton.

Da Vinci in El Paso!

The El Paso Museum of History is hosting The Da Vinci Experience, an exhibit available through the Museum of Leonardo Da Vinci in Florence, Italy. It consists of more than 60 machines described and designed by Leonardo Da Vinci as well as replicas of his paintings; most notably the Mona Lisa. The exhibit will take over the entire first floor of the Museum through July 10, 2010. It is displayed in four principle galleries focusing on the topics of transportation, military, mechanical devices, and an art gallery.


You can read more about this very special exhibit here.

Foggy Morning

Another great photo from Pete Szilagyi of Fort Davis.

Davis Mountains Storm

Wonderful photo by Pete Szilagyi.