2022 Activities 5-7

So far, February has been quite good for hiking. A recent trip to Caprock Canyons State Park in Texas gave us two more for the year, with some amazing views along the way. With the end of our time in New Mexico rapidly approaching, we visited White Sands National Park near sunset for one last stroll in the desert before heading to Dallas/Fort Worth. Happy hiking!

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Activity 5/52 - Hike - Caprock Canyons State Park (Quitaque, TX)

Distance/Time: 3.07 miles

Trail: Hanes Ridge Overlook

I’ve hiked at Caprock Canyons many times, but I’ve never hiked this trail! It was straight up, about 600 feet, over rocks and dirt. We stopped many times to take in the view, catch our breath, and get a drink. Once up the most steep part, we had an amazing view above the ridges in the park. The hike is worth the effort, I promise.

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Activity 6/52 - Hike - Caprock Canyons State Park (Quitaque, TX)

Distance/Time: 1.5 miles

It was Sunday and we were spent from a weekend of hiking, hanging out around the fire, and sleeping during a windy night. We decided after packing up to go with my aunt on a short little hike around the rim on the Canyon Rim Trail. It was a short walk from our campsite to the trail and then a nice little stroll. We took the dogs and a beer and enjoyed the sunshine!

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Activity 7/52 - Hike - White Sands NP (Alamogordo, NM)

Distance/Time: 1 mile

On our last weekend in New Mexico, we hit up our third national park together for a sunset hike on the dunes. It was a cute little stroll with the dogs. The amount of people on a Sunday night was a bit shocking, but it was sunset on a holiday weekend.

2022 Activities 3 and 4

The first weekend of February brought us closer to being “on track” for our 52 hike challenge. This coming weekend will bring a few more hikes and then we’ll be mostly good to go moving forward. We visited two nearby national parks and they did not disappoint. Happy hiking!

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Activity 3/52 - Hike - Guadalupe Mountains NP (Salt Flat, TX)

Distance/Time: 2.34 miles

Trail: McKittrick Canyon

This particular Saturday was a whirlwind. My partner was supposed to be in Indiana, but flights got messed up and he was home. We had reservations for Carlsbad, but missed them and decided to head back to Guadalupe Mountains for another hike. By the time we got there, the day was winding down and McKittrick Canyon gates close at 4:30 pm, so we didn’t have much time to hike. We hiked the trail and stopped at the riverbed for a break in the sunshine. It was a nice little hike, more sunny than last time, and a different view in the canyon. The McKittrick Canyon trail is mild, though we had some icy spots, and mostly flat. It’s suitable for all sorts of hiking experience levels.

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Activity 4/52 - Hike - Carlsbad Caverns NP (Carlsbad, NM)

Distance/Time: 3 miles

We made it to our reservation and walked down the natural entrance. We meandered down, in awe of the formations and just how far we were going in. It was nice to show my partner something I love and something so spectacular. This marks our second national park together as we quest to see them all. Carlsbad Caverns will take a couple of hours to get through, but it’s something new around every corner. Make sure you look up when you’re there, as the stuff on the ceiling can be just as amazing to see. If your knees don’t like downhill, you can enter with the elevator instead of the natural entrance.