February 2018

The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Texas near the border of New Mexico, about 35 miles southwest of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. It is primarily a hiking park with few paved roads. Our first stop was the Pine Springs Visitor Center where we got a map of the park and went on a one mile walk to the Pinery, ruins of the mid-1800’s Butterfield stagecoach station.

Next we drove to the Frijole Ranch History Museum to learn more about the people who once lived in the Guadalupe Mountains. The site included the house, barn and springhouse. There was also a red schoolhouse built in 1925 where 8 local children attended school. The teacher was hired for $30 a month, including room & board and a horse. What more could you need?

After we ate our picnic lunch I went on a 2.3 mile loop hike to Smith Spring. It was a beautiful day and the views were gorgeous! After about 30 minutes I came to the spring with lots of birds enjoying the clear, cool water. It was very unusual to see water here in the desert.

There was one other main sight to see, Williams Ranch, but it was a long drive on a dirt road requiring 4WD so we decided to pass and head home.

It was a fun day and if you are in the area visiting Carlsbad Caverns National Park you should definitely see it.