A spectacular and short hike is a favorite of travelers heading to Big Bend Ranch State Park between Big Bend National Park and Presidio. The trailhead is easy to access, along Hwy 170. Check in at the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center or Fort Leaton for more information, or click here.
The Gage Hotel in Marathon is giving public tours of their gardens (which provide organic fresh produce for their kitchen) every day at 4 pm.
Local officials and the Texas Historical Commission are working to preserve this architectural jewel in Ruidosa in Presidio County. From the THC website,
Getting away from the city--really away--and relaxing is one of the great benefits to visitors. There's nothing like getting up early, hot mug of coffee in hand, and watching the sun rise on the mountains. This was taken at Chinati Hot Springs, a thoroughly relaxing place to spend the night, in Presidio County.
Head southwest out of Marfa on FM 2810 for a great ride with terrific views. This is a public road through private property, so respect the landowners and do not cross fences to get a good shot on your camera. This was taken near the north end of the road, before the pavement ends. The ride past here is best suited for high clearance all-wheel drive vehicles, but is so much fun!
Amtrak's Sunset Limited makes two stops in the Texas Mountain Trail region. You can start your vacation in Alpine or in El Paso. For more information on the Sunset Limited, click here.
Be sure to take your camera when you visit the region. The Chihuahuan Desert and high mountain scenery changes every day. You might catch the ocotillo blooming!
Off Pinto Canyon Road, not far from Ruidosa in Presidio County is a wonderful oasis. Cool off after a day of hiking or mountain biking or sightseeing by soaking in the cool pool, or the hot tubs at Chinati Hot Springs. They have comfortable cabins, campsites and a communal kitchen for visitors to use. For more information, click here.
Mule Ears is one of the most enjoyed sights in Big Bend National Park. This view was taken along Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on the western end of the park headed back from Castolon. The Mule Ears Spring Trail is 3.8 miles roundtrip. For more information on hiking in Big Bend National Park, click here.
Head down Hwy 67 from Marfa to Presidio and you'll see a small sign for "Shafter Ghost Town." Do yourself a favor, and turn off the highway here. The first building you'll see is this church. Behind the church is an actively maintained garden and grotto. Travel slowly on the dirt road past the small stream to the cemetery and the Shafter museum, which chronicles the history of this small mining community
One of the loveliest places in the Texas Mountain Trail region, is El Paso's Plaza Theatre. Built in 1930, the beautifully restored theatre reopened a few years ago. At the time, it was the largest theatre between Dallas and Los Angeles. Take in a show there, and you step into complete elegance of another time. Mechanical stars blink cheerily overhead, the house feels like a visit to a nighttime Spanish villa. Take a look at the shows scheduled...there's something for everyone!
With the spring rain, the cacti will soon be blooming. While touring the region, plan to visit one of our many wonderful nature centers. Most have gardens for you to enjoy. For a list of our Mountain Desert Nature Centers, click here.
The 1940 WPA Guide to Texas called this stretch of what is now Hwy 54 north of Van Horn, "one of the most desolate, yet weirdly beautiful stretches of country to be found in the state of Texas." That continues to be the case today....this lovely drive is nearly unspoiled, and takes visitors from Van Horn (the crossroads of the Texas Mountain Trail at I-10) north to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Wilson Capron, of Midland, won Best of Show with these spurs at the Trappings of Texas exhibition at the Museum of the Big Bend in Alpine recently. The show will be up through late April. To learn more about the exhibition, click here. 
Spring and summer rains inspire the creosotebush's yellow blooms, often filling entire canyons with the pleasing, though somewhat medicinal odor of this ubiquitous desert shrub ( Larrea tridentata). This photo was taken in early spring at the Persimmon Gap entry station to Big Bend National Park. Text and photo by Pete Szilagyi.
The lush grasses on Hwy 90 between Van Horn and Marfa provide a golden vista against the mountains off in the distance.
