History Almost Lost--Pinery Station at Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Ruin of the Pinery Station stagecoach stop
at Guadalupe Mountains National Park

One of the historic jewels of our region is the legacy of the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage, the first transcontinental delivery of the mail by stage coach.  Just beyond the Pinery Station (the ruins less than a mile from Guadalupe Mountains National Park visitors center) was the meeting of the first westernbound Butterfield stagecoach and the first easternbound Butterfield stagecoach in 1858.  Travelers endured great hardships to make the trip from Missouri to San Francisco, and visiting the ruins gives some insight into the long journey.

The ruins are on the Pinery Trail an easy walking path, for just about everyone.  Pets are allowed on the trail, as long as they're on leash.

The white strip behind the Pinery ruin is the limestone
path left by the September floods, narrowly missing an
important historic site

This fall, the park experienced a unprecedented rains, and a great deal of flooding, which closed most of the park for a time.  And with that flood, the Pinery station dodged a bullet...the stream bed behind the ruin became a roaring river.  Now a gleaming white path as wide as a freeway, just steps from the Pinery, the limestone deposited by the flood.

The wide swath of limestone left by the September flood

Big Bend Heritage Hike: Sam Nail Ranch

There's a great little hike in Big Bend National Park that's loaded with things to see, Sam Nail Ranch off Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.  Here's what the park's website says about the hike:






Sam Nail Ranch
Difficulty: Easy; Distance: 0.5 mile loop
Begin at Mile 3, Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
An easy, well-maintained trail leads through the old homestead of Jim and Sam Nail and Sam's wife, Nena. There are interesting historic remnants here, including part of the adobe walls of the house and two windmills, one which is still in operation. This is a beautiful desert oasis and a great spot for birding and wildlife viewing.

Trailhead just off Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

Looking back at the Chisos Mountains from the trailhead

"Sam R. Nail and his brother, Jim, moved to the area just east of Burro Mesa, in 1916.  The two borthers (sic), with little outside assistance, constructed a one-story adobe house following the building techniques of the native Mexican-Americans along the river. The house had a concrete floor, a vega-and-cane ceiling, and a corrugated metal roof. In addition, they dug a well, put in a garden, and constructed a small holding pen for a milk cow, chickens and to hold horses. 

The two brothers lived there along for two years, or until June of 1918 when Sam married Miss Nena Burnam.  They drove from the Burnam place to Government Spring to the Nail Ranch home near Burro Mesa in a surrey with fringe around the top.  The surrey was pulled by two young mules. 

Here the Nails lived, reared a family, and ranched seventeen sections which the owned, plus about an equal number of leased or otherwise used sections which were within their fence. The Nails, like most other ranch people of the area, produced much of their living on the ranch. They kept milk cows, had chickens and hogs for additional food supply, and developed a garden, in which they produced many types of vegetables, melons and fruits. 

Although life on the ranch was difficult at times, on the whole they loved the place, and while they were in sympathy with the  movement for the establishment of the park, they gave up their ranch with considerable amount of regret.  --from an interview with Mrs. Sam R. Nail, April 13, 1967.  (Soldiers, Ranchers, and Miners in the Big Bend, by Clifford R. Casey, 1967.)

Today, the short hike (on easy terrain, with a few steps and suitable for just about anyone)  takes you through the homestead.  The growth of pecan, walnut and willow trees and grasses provide great habitat for birdwatching.  There are also benches to rest and perhaps enjoy a sack lunch and listen to the birds.

Our Far West Texas Wildlife Trail provides this guidance for birders:

"Sam Nail Ranch contains a working windmill and remnant woodland that is a hot spot for birds especially during migration. It is also just a short walk from the parking area along the highway. This is a good place to go during the hotter times of the day, as bird activity can be quite intense during non-rainy periods. A majority of the species will be vireos, wrens, thrushes, thrashers, warblers, tanagers, towhees, sparrows, grosbeaks, buntings and orioles."

5 Adventure Treks to Historic Texas Mountain Homes

Williams Ranch, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

1.  Williams Ranch, Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Adventure Rating:  HIGH. 

Accessible only by rugged 4x4 high ground clearance vehicles (or mountain bike!) on a one lane dirt/rock road, the drive to the house is 7.3 miles and takes approximately an hour.  (how to get there).  Part of this road--the section clearly marked--was the historic Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route in 1858-1859.

The rugged road to Williams Ranch
was part of the historic Butterfield
Overland Mail stagecoach route

While you can't go inside the 1908 home, the porch offers terrific views of the salt flat looking west and the Guadalupe Mountains behind.  Very satisfying hikes around the home can have you scampering over boulders, looking for wildlife.  Bring plenty of water.  (Both water and wildlife were more plentiful when the ranch was used by the Belcher, Williams and Hunter families.)  Read more about the ranch history, here.

Magoffin Home State Historic Site
El Paso

2.  Magoffin Home, El Paso.

Adventure Rating:  for EVERYONE.

Your "trek" is an easy walk from downtown, less than a mile from the Mexico border.  (The staff and volunteers are working on a walking tour of the neighborhood.)  The Magoffin Home State Historic Site an 1875 home operated by the Texas Historical Commission, is a wonderful example of Territorial style architecture, with period furnishings and a quiet center courtyard. The adobe home of Joseph and Octavia Magoffin is open to the public for tours, which typically last about an hour.  (Information on visiting the home is here.)  Sitting in an El Paso historic district, this part of town was once called "Magoffinsville."  The homestead was described this way by the 1887 El Paso Times, “The grounds surrounding it comprise twenty acres, embraced in lawns, flower gardens, fruit orchards, vegetable beds, grass plats and small grain divisions.” The couple was well known for their hospitality and entertained guests frequently in the home."  Read more about the history here.

View of Homer Wilson ranch from Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
Big Bend Ranch State Park

3.  Homer Wilson Ranch, Big Bend National Park.

Adventure Rating:  CHALLENGING to EASY:  YOUR CHOICE!  (Can be a starting or ending point for the three day Outer Mountain Loop backpacking trip, a 0.25 mile hike (even though the hike is short...bring water!), or a view from the paved Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

Homer Wilson was a geologist, who divided his time ranching and mining from 1929-1942.  By 1942, Wilson was thought to have controlled 40,000 to 50,000 acres in the Big Bend.  The ranch is also known as the Blue Creek Ranch, and was a center of  sheep and goat ranching.  The one story structure had two bedrooms, living room and kitchen.  It was abandoned when the family left in 1944.

4.  Sauceda Ranch, Big Bend Ranch State Park

Sauceda Ranch's The Big House in Big Bend Ranch
State Park

Adventure Rating:  Getting there requires a  rolicking drive at 25 mph over rough (but scenic!) roads, and while exploring Sauceda Ranch is for EVERYONE, the drive there is NOT for every vehicle.All the roads in the park are dirt, and while the main road to Sauceda is maintained, it is VERY rugged.  Download the park's 4x4 guide here.

Road to Sauceda Ranch in Big Bend Ranch State Park

The center of the Sauceda Historic District, the Big House is one of our favorite places to stay in all of the Texas Big Bend.  Operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife, the lovely home offers rooms with adobe fireplaces, and a common kitchen and living area for a relaxed stay in center of the wild Big Bend Ranch State Park. 

View from the road to Sauceda Ranch
in Big Bend Ranch State Park

The exact date of the home is not known, but the first recorded land owner, George A. Howard may have built a structure in this location between 1905 and 1908.  It was expanded and improved several times, in the 1930s, 1950s, 1970s, and 1980s, yet still has a gracious, but "old" feel.  Want to stay there yourself?  Lodging information is here.  A walking tour of the Sauceda Historic District is here.

Bring your mountain bike with you and from Sauceda Ranch, enjoy easy access to one of the few American trails rated an "Epic Ride," by the International Mountain Biking Association! 

Historic photo of Frijole Ranch, in what is now
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

5.  Frijole Ranch, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Adventure Rating:  For EVERYONE!

Now a museum of early life in the Guadalupe Mountains, Frijole Ranch was the center of the frontier community.  The ranch was built around 1876 by the Rader brothers, but it is thought they left the area around 1880.  The Herring/Wolcott family is believed to have operated the  ranch between 1880s and 1895.  The Smith family operated the ranch starting in 1906 as a truck farm, sending their wares to Van Horn by wagon for sale. Read more about the history of the ranch, here.

Cool and shady portion of the Smith Spring trail
adjacent to a natural spring

Visitors can tour the home museum as well as the adjacent school house and teacher's room, the remnants of the orchard/garden, and the 2.6 mile loop Smith Spring trail to Manzanita Spring, through desert scenery and into the mountains. (The Smith Spring trail is rated MODERATE:  hikers should wear hats, sturdy shoes, clothing to protect from the sun and desert, and should carry water.)

View of the Guadalupe Mountains from
the Smith Spring trail by Frijole Ranch

Frijole Ranch

Training session at the orchard at Frijole Ranch in
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Texas Master Naturalists gather around Frijole Ranch
to receive training from ranger Michael Haynie, preparing
to lead interpretive hikes at the park during the fall color
period...stay tuned for more information! 

This weekend, three chapters of Texas Master Naturalists, along with our own Texas Mountain Trail received training from rangers at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  The three chapters are volunteering to lead interpretive hikes during the fall colors.

Frijole Ranch is along the Smith Spring Trail, part of our Peak Fitness Challenge and a Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hike.  The Smith family operated their truck farming operation for nearly 40 years.

Read more about Frijole Ranch here. It is a great story of survival and perseverence.

Guadalupe Columbine

Guadalupe Columbine blooming
along the creek in McKittrick Canyon
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

This past weekend, three chapters of Texas Master Naturalists (Trans-Pecos from El Paso, Llano Estacado from Midland/Odessa, and Tierra Grande from Big Bend/Davis Mountains) and our own Texas Mountain Trail gathered for the first time to form relationships and discuss possible partnerships including helping Guadalupe Mountains National Park with guided hikes and interpretive programs, especially during the fall color period.

As part of the training we received from park staff, we hiked McKittrick Canyon on Saturday, sharing knowledge with each other along the way.  While crossing the stream in McKittrick Canyon, we found this beauty, known as the Guadalupe Columbine.

Our group crosses the stream in Guadalupe Mountains
National Park McKittrick Canyon, shortly before we
spotted the Guadalupe Columbine

Renowned botanist, Barton Warnock, included the flower in his book, Wildflowers of the Guadalupe Mountains and the Sand Dune Country Texas, with this entry:

CHAPLINE COLUMBINE 
Crowfoot Family
Ranunculaceae

"Aquilegia Chaplinei   Indians cooked the roots of this attractive pale yellow flowered perennial herb and used them as a remedy for bruises; infrequent in shaded crevices, on boulders and calcareous soil of moist canyons, especially in North and South McKittrick Canyon of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park; April-November."

Steve West, in his book Northern Chihuahuan Desert Wildflowers, includes the flower with this additional information:

GUADALUPE COLUMBINE
Aquilegia chaplinei
Crowfoot Family (Ranunculaceae)

"Description:  The plant grows up to 19" (48 cm) in height; the leaves are divided.  Pale yellow flowers appear from April to November.
Habitat/Range:  This columbine is one of the beautiful surprises you may encounter while hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains.  Most often, it grows wherever there is permanent water, but it can also be found in moist places where water is not apparent.  This species is easily found in McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupes or in the adjacent Lincoln National Forest at Sitting Bull Falls, CCNP, GMNP.
Comments:  Diversion of water from these sites could threaten this locally common species."

The McKittrick Canyon trail is on the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail and is part of the Peak Fitness Challenge (and one of our Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes).  Plan to visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park soon! 

Visiting Frijole Ranch with the Texas Mountain Trail

There's a little place in Guadalupe Mountains National Park that will give you a good view of early life in our neck of the woods...Frijole Ranch.  Water was key to survival in our region, and natural springs provided it to early settlers. The area around the ranch did have water, and as you hike Smith Spring trail or visit the history museum now at Frijole Ranch you can still see that water.

Tomorrow, Texas Mountain Trail and volunteers with three chapters of Texas Master Naturalists will be leading guided hikes in the park.  See information and the schedule here.  After you hike with us Sunday morning, stop by the Frijole Ranch in the afternoon and say hello, and learn about early life in the area! 

All our hikes are Peak Fitness Challenge hikes, so sign up online and record your miles on your profile page...you may just win some prizes! 

Hiking in the Guadalupe Mountains this Sunday with us!

Cool shade of Smith Spring along the
Smith Spring trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Sunday, June 23, Texas Master Naturalists from three chapters across Far West Texas will be offering guided hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park!  Join in on the fun, and participate in the free hiking program, our Peak Fitness Challenge at the same time!  You might win prizes, sent to your mailbox!

Trails are easy through moderate...and offer some of the best hiking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park:
Pinery Trail
Smith Spring Trail
Devils Hall Trail
McKittrick Canyon Trail

Most of the trails are Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes...read more about that here!

Read more about the hike here, and join us on Sunday!

Direct link to our calendar listing for the hikes with all the information.

History Spotlight!

William Travis poster by Kayla Acosta
Click on the image for a closer view!

When we visited the annual meeting of the Pecos-Mountain County Historical Commissions and heard about the great work the 7th graders at Fort Stockton Middle School, we wanted to share that great work with all of you!

Nancy Hayter welcoming
students to the Rollins-Sibley
House and announcing
Texas History Poster winners!

Starting today, we'll share posters done by 7th graders for the Texas History poster contest for the Pecos County Historical Commission!  Under the leadership of teacher, Chris Moody, the students produced some great work.  Big thanks to the everyone involved, including Nancy Hayter for bringing the work to our attention!  Nancy is a member of the Pecos County Historical Commission and a loyal volunteer eager to share Texas History with y'all.  First up?  This poster about William Travis was made by Kayla Acosta!  Great work, Kayla! 

Shaffer Shuffle Hike tomorrow at Franklin Mountains State Park/Peak Fitness Challenge!

Tomorrow, Franklin Mountains State Park is offering a guided hike on one of our Peak Fitness Challenge trails, the Shaffer Shuffle.  Sign up for the Peak Fitness Challenge, here; then hike the trail and come back and log your miles online.  Once you complete a hike, your name goes into a file...and every month we pick out a few names and send those folks prizes! 

Sunday, June 16-  ($8.00 – this is the entrance fee + activity fee)

Schaeffer Shuffle Trail

Start: 7:00 a.m.

Length: about 2.5 miles / 1.5 - 2 hours

Trail Difficulty:  Steep initial descent down old jeep road; transition to relatively well maintained trail with technical sections into the canyon, leveling out along the ridgeline, then another steep and technical descent down the backside before becoming an easy leisurely stroll down the trail. We’ll reconnect with the old jeep road and have one final steep ascent back up to the start of the trail.

 

BRING:

For Hikes:  Water, snacks, flashlight/headlamp for mine tour, sturdy hiking shoes/boots, hiking stick, camera, and binoculars!  

Looking for a Great Sunday Outing? (on June 23rd!)

Pinery trail

Historic Frijole Ranch house on the
Smith Spring Trail

Devil's Hall trail in
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Sunday, June 23rd, Texas Master Naturalist volunteers from around Far West Texas are leading interpretive hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park as part of the Peak Fitness Challenge.  Everyone is invited to choose the hike they'd like to do that day, and participate in the Challenge!  This is something just about ANYONE can do!  While you're responsible for the usual park admission fees, the hikes themselves are FREE!

You should carry your own water, wear sunscreen and clothing (including a hat!) that will protect you from the sun and desert plants.  Choose the hike that best suits your fitness level, and have fun!

Here's the schedule for that day, and they're also listed on our Texas Mountain Trail events calendar:

8 am Pinery Trail, meet at the Pine Springs Visitors Center.  This is a short paved trail of less than a mile to the historic stagecoach stop along the Butterfield Overland Trail. This trail is rated as EASY.

10 am  Smith Spring trail, meet at the parking lot just before historic Frijole Ranch.  This 2.6 miles loop trail takes you across desert and arroyos to a natural (shaded) spring.  You also hike by Manzanita Spring and the Frijole Ranch house. This trail is rated MODERATE.

10 am McKittrick Canyon trail to Pratt Cabin   This hike will take a few hours to hike the 5 mile roundtrip trail, but has a cool payoff (a rest on the porch of Pratt Cabin) at the endpoint before heading back to your car at the trailhead. What you'll see:  maple, walnut, oak, and madrone grow alongside desert plants like cactus and agave.  All are enclosed by steep walls that formed when the creek cut through the limestone of the Capitan Reef.   Meet at the McKittrick Canyon trailhead building at 10 am. This trail is rated MODERATE.

10 am Devils Hall trail  This is one of the prettiest hikes in the Guadalupes and is 2.2 miles one-way.  At the farthest point you reach Devils Hall, a narrow notch in the mountain, offering shade!  Meet at trailhead next to Pine Springs campground.  This trail is rated MODERATE.

10 am Pinery Trail, repeat of the 8 am hike.

In the afternoon, Texas Master Naturalists will be at Frijole Ranch and eager to visit with all of you, and answer your questions!

If you encounter Texas Master Naturalists along the trail that day, please say hello!

How to participate in the Challenge?  Start by creating a profile at the Peak Fitness Challenge website, here. You can choose any trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park or Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso) to hike or even run.  

After you complete your hike, go back to the website to log your miles.  Your name (and address) is put into a file from which we choose prize winners every month!  The more you hike, the more chances you have to win prizes!

As an extra bonus, many of the hikes help us learn about our heritage.  Click HERE to read about Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes!

Big, big thanks to the three chapters of Texas Master Naturalists who are volunteering their time to lead hikes on Sunday, June 23!  They come from El Paso, Midland/Odessa, and the Davis Mtns/Big Bend.  Also we send thanks to our Peak Fitness Challenge partners, GeoBetty.com, PhiDev, Inc., Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park! Y'all are great!

Texas Master Naturalists leading Peak Fitness Challenge hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Ruins of the Butterfield Stagecoach
stop on the Pinery Trail

Sunday, June 23rd, Texas Master Naturalist volunteers from around Far West Texas are leading interpretive hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park as part of the Peak Fitness Challenge.  Everyone is invited to choose the hike they'd like to do that day, and participate in the Challenge!  This is something just about ANYONE can do!  While you're responsible for the usual park admission fees, the hikes themselves are FREE!

You should carry your own water, wear sunscreen and clothing (including a hat!) that will protect you from the sun and desert plants.  Choose the hike that best suits your fitness level, and have fun!

Here's the schedule for that day, and they're also listed on our Texas Mountain Trail events calendar:

8 am Pinery Trail, meet at the Pine Springs Visitors Center.  This is a short paved trail of less than a mile to the historic stagecoach stop along the Butterfield Overland Trail. This trail is rated as EASY.

The cool, shady portion
of the Smith Spring trail

10 am  Smith Spring trail, meet at the parking lot just before historic Frijole Ranch.  This 2.6 miles loop trail takes you across desert and arroyos to a natural (shaded) spring.  You also hike by Manzanita Spring and the Frijole Ranch house. This trail is rated MODERATE.

McKittrick Canyon trail

10 am McKittrick Canyon trail to Pratt Cabin   This hike will take a few hours to hike the 5 mile roundtrip trail, but has a cool payoff (a rest on the porch of Pratt Cabin) at the endpoint before heading back to your car at the trailhead. What you'll see:  maple, walnut, oak, and madrone grow alongside desert plants like cactus and agave.  All are enclosed by steep walls that formed when the creek cut through the limestone of the Capitan Reef.   Meet at the McKittrick Canyon trailhead building at 10 am. This trail is rated MODERATE.

Devil's Hall trail

10 am Devils Hall trail  This is one of the prettiest hikes in the Guadalupes and is 2.2 miles one-way.  At the farthest point you reach Devils Hall, a narrow notch in the mountain, offering shade!  Meet at trailhead next to Pine Springs campground.  This trail is rated MODERATE.

10 am Pinery Trail, repeat of the 8 am hike.

In the afternoon, Texas Master Naturalists will be at Frijole Ranch and eager to visit with all of you, and answer your questions!

If you encounter Texas Master Naturalists along the trail that day, please say hello!

How to participate in the Challenge?  Start by creating a profile at the Peak Fitness Challenge website, here. You can choose any trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park or Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso) to hike or even run.  

After you complete your hike, go back to the website to log your miles.  Your name (and address) is put into a file from which we choose prize winners every month!  The more you hike, the more chances you have to win prizes!

As an extra bonus, many of the hikes help us learn about our heritage.  Click HERE to read about Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes!

Big, big thanks to the three chapters of Texas Master Naturalists who are volunteering their time to lead hikes on Sunday, June 23!  They come from El Paso, Midland/Odessa, and the Davis Mtns/Big Bend.  Also we send thanks to our Peak Fitness Challenge partners, GeoBetty.com, PhiDev, Inc., Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park! Y'all are great! 

Escape to the Cool Green of Smith Spring!

Cool, shaded green at the middle of the Smith
Spring Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Yes, the summer is upon us and sometimes the heat keeps us indoors.  And that's too bad, because there are plenty of places to explore...cool spots in our desert.  One of these is Smith Spring in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, one of the trails in our Peak Fitness Challenge!   For a complete trail rundown, visit our blog for newcomers to fitness, "One Foot in Front of the Other."  Lots of pictures and trail info there!

Sign up for the Peak Fitness Challenge...and you may win prizes for heading out on the Trail!

Stay tuned right here, for next week we'll share information on some special guided hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park...offered by our Texas Mountain Trail and several chapters of Texas Master Naturalist volunteers on Sunday, June 23.

Heritage Hikes!

Porch of historic Pratt Cabin
on the McKittrick Canyon trail
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

As part of our Peak Fitness Challenge, we've identified special hiking trails that tell something about our history...our Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes!  The Challenge is centered in Franklin Mountains State Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park (though we're looking at adding new trails in other parts of the region in the future), and there's PLENTY to learn about Texas by experiencing these designated trails.

The Peak Fitness Challenge is a FREE, FUN program designed to introduce new parks and new trails to folks of all fitness levels.  The Challenge website has terrific information, including topo maps, of the trails, plus great information about the location of the trailheads, elevation change and trail length.

We send prizes out on a random basis to hikers...you never know when something neat might hit your mailbox!

The Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes take you to the site of a murder of a Texas Ranger, plane crashes, historic ranch houses, old tin mines, stagecoach stops, and other neat places! 

Want to learn more?  We also have a rundown of the Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes on our website:

Learn more about hiking opportunities in the Texas Mountains and the Peak Fitness Challenge, by visiting THIS page!

The Story of Frijole Ranch

Frijole Ranch, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountains National Park has incredible scenic vistas and terrific hiking trails, but it is also blessed with stories from the past.  A brief visit to Frijole Ranch tells so much about the efforts of early ranchers who tried to made the mountains their home.  Around 1876, the Rader built the small stone structure and stayed there until sometime before 1900.  The Smith family lived and worked at the ranch for thirty-six years and made it the social center of the area, beginning around 1906.  You can tour the ranch house, and peek in the post office and one-room school building from the Smith family's time at the ranch.

The ranch is just adjacent to the trailhead to Smith Spring, one of our Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes, included in our Peak Fitness Challenge.  The 2.6 mile loop trail takes you through desert, into a cool shaded spring area, into arroyos and by a pond, where birds and wildlife like to gather.

Read more about the Ranch here and here.  It is a great place to visit!

Cool Smith Spring

Natural spring and shade on
the Smith Spring Trail, Guadalupe
Mountains National Park

 

One of our favorite places to escape summer heat is in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  There's a short, relatively easy 2.3 mile looped trail through desert and arroyo at the base of the mountains, that also takes hikers to the this cool oasis at Smith Spring.  Click here to see more photos on our Flickr page.

More on natural springs in the Guadalupes, here.

This is what the park's website says about this hike:

"Smith Spring Trail
Begin this hike at the trailhead sign. Look for birds, mule deer, and elk as you walk this loop trail to the shady oasis of Smith Spring. Take a break here and enjoy the gurgling sounds of the tiny waterfall before continuing around to sunny Manzanita Spring. Scars from wildland fires of 1990 and 1993 are evident along the trail. The trail is rated moderate, with a round-trip distance of 2.3 miles. Allow one to two hours.
Manzanita Spring (only)
Begin this hike by turning right behind the ranch house at Frijole Ranch and follow the short, paved trail to Manzanita Spring (.2 mile). Return to Frijole Ranch on the same route. The trail is wheelchair accessible. Manzanita Spring is an excellent desert watering hole for park wildlife and a great birding location.
Please: Water is precious for park flora and wildlife species. Do not disturb the water in any way."

This trail is also part of our Peak Fitness Challenge, a joint program of our Texas Mountain Trail and our partners (Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Franklin Mountains State Park, GeoBetty.com and PhiDev, Inc. of El Paso.  What is the Challenge?  Pick a trail you want to hike, record your miles online, and you might win prizes for your effort?  It is free, it is fun, and you get to explore our beautiful Texas Mountains AND be healthier for it!  This trail is also a Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hike! 

Peak Fitness Challenge!

Sign up for the free, fun hiking and trail running challenge
www.GeoBetty.com/Peak

We're lucky to have two TERRIFIC parks participating in our Peak Fitness Challenge, a fun and FREE challenge for all you hikers and trail runners of all fitness levels.  Our friends at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park teamed up last year with GeoBetty/PhiDev, Inc. to launch the challenge, with us, the Texas Mountain Trail www.texasmountaintrail.com.  Head on out on the trails for fun and you may win some prizes as you log your miles!  

McKittrick Canyon Trail,
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

First step?  Go to www.GeoBetty.com/Peak and create an account. 
Then?  Browse the site for a hike you'd like to take, or create your own route.
Then?  Head on out for your hike or trailrun, and when you return, log your miles on the site.
Watch your miles add up...we send prizes out to participants at random!

HAVE FUN!!