Clark Hotel Museum Detail

Van Horn's Clark Hotel Museum tells the story of early life in this small community along I-10. The Museum is housed in the former hotel building, which was a central watering hole for residents and visitors traveling by train and by car. Above is a detail from the ornate bar that graced the dining room of the hotel.

Overland Trail Museum

In the shadow of Sleeping Lion Mountain in Fort Davis is the Overland Trail Museum, a great place to get a peek at early life in Jeff Davis County. The artifacts on display help tell the story of early residents in Fort Davis: ranchers, merchants, doctors, lawmen, etc. The Museum is on Fort Street, the historical route of the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach. Ask to see the ranching exhibits behind the main museum building, where this photo was taken.

View from McDonald Observatory

Part of the experience of going to the famed McDonald Observatory outside Fort Davis is the climb through the Davis Mountains to Mt. Locke. Visitors drive through the mountains, going higher and higher in elevation until beautiful vistas open to view. McDonald Observatory is one of the premier attractions in the region for visitors, but getting there is also a treat, as you takes you on the famed Scenic Loop, one of the best drives (and bike rides and motorcycle rides!) in the state.

For more information about visiting McDonald Observatory, click here.

For information about cycling in the region, visit www.texasmountaintrail.com/bike

For information about favorite motorcycle rides in the region, visit www.texasmountaintrail.com/motorcycle

Thanks to Matt Walter, Curator of History at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine for this great photo!

Ernst Tinaja Trail in Big Bend National Park

One of the more remote and wild areas of Big Bend National Park provides a great short hike for adventurers with high clearance vehicles, the Ernst Tinaja Trail. For a description of this trail, click here. In many respects the hardest part is getting there, for the trailhead is five miles down the rugged Old Ore Road.

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

Thanks to Kristin Muntean of Hazel West Photography, for the use of this photo!

Motorcycling in the Region

There are great roads and routes in Far West Texas for the motorcyclist. To learn more, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/motorcycle

Our thanks go Matt Walter of the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine for this photo! Thanks, Matt!

Budding Prickly Pear

Taken along the Santa Elena Canyon trail in Big Bend National Park. This photo is provided to us by Clara Maverick Photography. Thanks for the nice shot!

The trail is considered one of the best in Texas. To read more about hiking in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/hike

Camping in Big Bend

Camping is a great way to experience Far West Texas! This campsite was taken this month in Big Bend National Park.

For information about camping in the Texas Mountain Trail region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/camp

Thanks to Kristin Muntean of Hazel West Photography for this candid shot of her campsite!

Cholla Fruit

Taken in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, this photo is provided by Clara Maverick Photography. Cholla fruit are a favorite food for the pronghorn antelope living in the region.

Flowers Blooming at Big Bend's Hot Springs

Kristin Muntean, of Hazel West Photography, lent us this lovely photo of flowers blooming in the rocks at Big Bend National Park's Hot Springs Historic Area along the Rio Grande.

Fort Davis National Historic Site at Sunrise

One of the best restored frontier forts in the nation is Fort Davis National Historic Site in Fort Davis. Fort Davis was recently named "The Best Small Town in Texas" and was listed as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Dozen Distinctive Destinations in 2008!

This lovely shot of the Fort at dawn was taken by Matt Walter, Curator of History at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine. Thanks, Matt!

The Hall of Devil's Hall

One of the most satisfying hikes in the region is the 4.2 mile hike into Devil's Hall in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The trail takes hikers through the Chihuahuan Desert, down into a dry creekbed, up and around boulders, and scrambling through this narrow passageway. Read more about hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, here.

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

Thanks to Clara Maverick Photography for this great shot!

Chisos Mountain Basin

This photo taken by Kristin Muntean of Hazel West Photography, in Big Bend National Park.

Spring flowers!

Thanks to Matt Walter of the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine for sharing this photo!

Just a hint of what you'll see on Ross Maxwell Drive in Big Bend

There are few drives prettier or more spectacular than Ross Maxwell Drive in Big Bend National Park. You can see "The Window" and the Chisos Basin beyond, "Mule Ears," the historic Castolon store, and other amazing sights.

Clark Hotel Museum in Van Horn

Van Horn's downtown area is the location for the Clark Hotel Museum, which tells the story of this small mountain community and Culberson County. The building used to house one of the town's first hotels, run by the Clark family for many years.

For information about lodging in one of the region's historic hotels, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/historichotels

Claret Cup Cacti

Blooming now throughout the region!

Hot? There's a place waiting for you at Chinati Hot Springs!

After a long day of hiking, this warm pool at Chinati Hot Springs soothes the sore muscles. Laidback and relaxed, the Hot Springs is a favorite place for visitors who really want to get off the beaten path. In Presidio County, just north of Ruidosa...you can learn more, here.

Blooming Yucca

Blossoming all over the region right now!

The cool shade of Santa Elena Canyon

On the left: Mexico. On the right: one of the best hiking trails in Texas. The Santa Elena Canyon hike in Big Bend National Park, is a short one, but a scenic one. For more information on hiking in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/hike

Adobe Arch

Taken at the adobe church restoration in Ruidosa. For more information about this project, see our March 29th, 2009 entry.

For more information on adobe architecture in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/adobe

High Mountain Desert View

Here's a mere hint of what you can see on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive in Big Bend National Park!

Strolling downtown Alpine

Alpine's downtown is a favorite place for visitors to enjoy a relaxed stroll and shopping. Take things at a slower pace, take your time, have fun!

Hat shopping

Alpine's Big Bend Saddlery, in business since 1905, provides working cowboys and visitors a wonderful selection of western wear, gear, books, gifts, and leatherwork for home or ranch.

Mitre Peak

Looking towards Alpine from Fort Davis is the distinctive Mitre Peak, a favorite sight in the region.

Hiking at the Chinati Hot Springs

On Pinto Canyon Road, just north of Ruidosa and south of Marfa, there's an unique place to stay...the Chinati Hot Springs. Rustic and remote, there are some neat adobe cabins and great camping spots and cool and hot pools for end-of-the-day relaxing. The setting is lovely and there are several trails visitors can explore.

For information on other hiking opportunities in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/hike

Hammerfest Riders

Yesterday's Hammerfest race from Fort Davis to McDonald Observatory attracted cyclists eager to take one of the greatest rides in all of Texas, to the top of Mount Locke on the Scenic Loop. This annual event features some of the best road racing in all of the Southwest. For more information on cycling in Far West Texas and the Texas Mountain Trail region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/bike

Shafter Ghost Town Cemetery

Head south from Marfa towards Presidio, and you'll see a sign for the Shafter Ghost Town. Pull off here and follow the dirt road through the small community and across a streambed. Soon you'll see a sign for the cemetery. Take a moment to take in the mountain view, stroll through the cemetery and visit the small (but very interesting) community museum to learn more about this mining town's history!

Blooming in Van Horn right now

Claret cup cacti!

Hiking Santa Elena Canyon

One of the premier hikes in the Texas is Big Bend National Park's Santa Elena Canyon. Hikers are dwarfed by the spectacular scenery on this short jaunt, which takes them above the Rio Grande just a stone's throw from Mexico.

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

Only 26 more days!

One of the region's most loved exhibitions, the Trappings of Texas at the Museum of the Big Bend is open to the public through April 26. Head to Alpine to see works by some of the best cowboy artists and gearmakers anywhere. For more information, click here.

To view a YouTube video about the exhibition, click here.

For information on visiting the Museum in Alpine, click here.