65 - Desert Peaks and Ancient Reefs! - El Paso and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

We end our Southwest Adventure with stops at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park. 

Transcript

Hey there, fellow travelers, and welcome back to "Travel Time"! I'm your host, Jennifer, and if you joined us last time, you know we were deep underground, exploring the incredible Carlsbad Caverns. Well, we ascended from the depths of the earth and set our sights southward, first for a quick but stunning stop, and then into the vibrant city of El Paso.

First, a quick detour that turned out to be a fantastic bonus! On our way south from Carlsbad to El Paso, we were fortunate enough to check out Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 

This park protects the world's most extensive Permian-era fossil reef, which is mind-boggling when you think about it! We took the opportunity to do the short nature walk by the visitor center, which gave us a wonderful taste of the rugged beauty and unique geology of this incredible place. It’s definitely a park that makes you want to come back and explore more deeply.

After that fascinating stop, we rolled into El Paso, ready to experience its desert charm. We checked into the Home2 Suites By Hilton El Paso Airport, which was convenient for our departure the next day, but still offered a comfortable base for our El Paso explorations.

Our main goal in El Paso was to experience the natural beauty surrounding the city, and for that, we headed straight to Franklin Mountains State Park. This park is literally within the city limits of El Paso, offering this incredible, rugged wilderness practically on your doorstep.

We opted for some short hikes and explored the overlooks. The views from up there are just stunning – sweeping vistas of El Paso stretching out below, surrounded by the dramatic desert landscape. We particularly enjoyed the Nature Walk, which is a manageable 3/4-mile loop. It’s a great way to get a feel for the unique flora and fauna of the Chihuahuan Desert.

And speaking of flora and fauna, if you're a fellow birder, you'll be happy to know the Franklin Mountains offer good birding opportunities! Keep your eyes peeled for desert species you might not see elsewhere.

Now, a very important tip if you’re planning a visit: it was very hot when we visited! This is a desert environment, and temperatures can soar. Please, please bring plenty of water with you! Hydration is key to enjoying your time out on those trails, even the shorter ones. Dress in layers, wear a hat, and always prioritize your safety in the heat.

Franklin Mountains State Park offers a fantastic escape into nature without having to leave the city far behind. It’s a true testament to El Paso’s unique blend of urban life and untamed wilderness.

After soaking in the desert beauty and enjoying our time in El Paso, it was time for us to head to the airport and fly out to home, bringing this segment of our New Mexico and Arizona adventure to a close.

From the serenity of Sedona, to the amazing colors in the Painted Desert, to the history in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, the gypsum dunes of White Sands, the underground wonders of Carlsbad and then the towering Guadalupe Mountains, this part of our journey was filled with unique landscapes and unexpected beauty.  Our oldest son picked the destination and planned this trip and the stops we would take and he did an amazing job.  

And that's all for this episode of Travel Time!  signing off from the desert peaks and next episode we will be in Monterey, California and the surrounding area. Until next time, Happy Travels!