Southeast New Mexico-West Texas 2017: Day 5

On our last full day of vacation, we left New Mexico and headed back to west Texas. 

Our destination was Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which borders New Mexico and is literally less than 30 minutes from Carlsbad Caverns. There is nothing out here but wilderness -- no gas stations or food or any services for 150 miles! But it sure is beautiful.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park is very large, but a good starting point is the Pine Springs Visitor Center. When we arrived, the parking lot was full up with spring breakers, but since we were just popping in and out to pick up our Junior Ranger packets and get our bearings, the ranger directed us to side-of-road parking. There are lots of trails of varying levels in the park, but we chose the moderate 2.3 mile Smith Springs Loop. The trailhead is at the Frijole Ranch, just one mile west of the visitor center. We ate our picnic lunch and then set out on our hike!

The trail was rocky and it was a pretty warm day, but it was really quiet and pretty.

The trail rose only 400 feet in elevation, but it was enough for the landscape to change to woods and pine trees.

The payoff is Smith Springs, which is a gorgeous oasis in the desert. 

After a break to enjoy the peace and quiet at the springs, we trekked back down.

We checked out the exterior of the Frijole Ranch house

and then went back to the visitor center so the boys could earn their Junior Ranger badges and patches!

We had an incredible spring break trip and Guadalupe Mountains was at the top of our list of favorite spots. If you haven't been before and enjoy hiking, it's definitely worth a visit. Our whole 600-mile loop was a fantastic adventure and New Mexico and West Texas are places we'd happily explore again!