Scenic Sunday in El Paso, part of the Peak Fitness Challenge

Tomorrow morning, why not include a stroll up Scenic Drive in your plans?  Every Sunday morning, El Pasoans can take in the view without having to dodge cars, as the road is closed to automobiles.  The walk is one of the easier "trails" in the Peak Fitness Challenge, which endeavors to provide participants with a progression of hikes with the intention (if you'd like) to eventually climb the highest peaks in the Franklin Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Scenic Drive
"As early as 1881, El Paso leaders proomoted the idea of creating a place along the base of the Franklin Montains to provide visitors a panoramic view of the area.  The automobile brought new attention to the idea, and in 1920, the city council and Mayor Charles Davis approved construction of a scenic drive.  Finished in 1920, the route became a popular attraction.  The 1,82 mile drive reaches an elevation of 4,222 feet, 500 feet above the Rio Grande.  In 1932, the City contracted to widen and pave the road, and in 1934, Civilian Conservation Corps Company 855 (Fort Bliss) carried out additional culvert work.  Scenic Drive continues to attract visitors to the view of El Paso, Cuidad Juarez and the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert.