GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS & CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARKS

     Our first impression upon pulling in to the "blacktop" campground at Guadalupe Mountains National Park was that this place looks like a parking lot, which it was.  Adding to our concern was the fact that the campground did not have a dump station, although it did provide fresh water, restrooms, and outdoor sinks for washing dishes. We adapted well and continued our practice of emptying gray water occasionally by making multiple trips with our 4-gallon bucket to the restroom, and practicing water conservation.

     Soon after our first hike in the afternoon on day one our concerns disappeared as we thoroughly enjoyed the Smith Spring Trail and the Frijole Ranch grounds.  We liked the ingenuity and simplicity of the fruit orchards, garden areas, handmade fences and irrigation ditches.  We even got our first good view of some javelina's, while they aren't cute they weren't as intimidating looking as we thought they would be. We realized that it was going to take an extra day to explore the trails and areas of this small but enjoyable park so we went ahead and booked another day.

     On day two we took a side trip to Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about a 30 minute drive over the border  into New Mexico.  We enjoyed our walk through the caverns and were amazed at the beauty of this underground wonderland.  Having been to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky we were impressed by the indirect lighting throughout the caverns in Carlsbad and enjoyed it much more than Mammoth Caves which, to us, seemed to be way too dark to view many of the details.

     On day three we hiked the McKittrick Trail to the Pratt Cabin.  This was a fun hike with a variety of terrain and plenty of 'scat' identification.  At one point Frank commented "with all this land why do the animals have to poop right on the trail?"  We stopped again at the Frijole ranch, but it was still closed, so we checked out the grounds once more and were amazed at the variety of fruit trees that had been planted in this small ranch orchard.  After dinner we hiked from the campground over to the old Butterfield Stagecoach Trail and Pinery Station.  This was a leisurely stroll and it was interesting to hear about the history of this business venture.  

     On day four we hiked the Devil's Hall Trail.  We like trails that require some climbing and this one had some boulders that we enjoyed scrambling over.  That night we listened to the wind blow down from the mountains and appreciated our warm and cozy RV. We were pulling out the next morning and were glad that we took the time to appreciate this little park.

     To view photos from the National Parks we visited, please use Frank's facebook link below:

https://www.facebook.com/frank.posillico.351