new mexico

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!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

2022 Activities 1 and 2

It’s a new year and new set of activities for the 52 hike challenge. This year I will continue having an open mind on what counts as one of the 52 hikes. Paddling, hiking, trail runs, bike rides, and more will count. The goal with my version of the 52 Hike Challenge has always been to get outside and see the world. If the events I participate in do that, I’m good with counting them.

January 2022 included two hikes with my partner Randall. We have plans to complete this challenge together this year and we’re going into February with a plan to adventure even more.

Activity 1/52 - Hike - Ocotillo Nature Trail (Carlsbad, NM)

Distance/Time: 2 miles

This trail is a little gravel path that winds up the hillside and takes you to a high point and view of Carlsbad. We did this trail at night, with the dogs, because of work and whatnot so the view was especially cool. The activity itself was not difficult, but it was dusty and dry. Enjoy some of the photos!

Activity 2/52 - Hike - Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Salt Flat, TX)

Distance/Time: 2.38 miles

This hike started with good intentions, and ended with good plans to return. I think the original thought was to hike through McKittrick Canyon and have a nice picnic at the Pratt Cabin. As we drove, other trails looked more enticing so we shifted our plans to hike the Devil’s Hall trail. We started off, with plenty of snacks and water but only brought sunglasses. The sun was sinking, and the canyon walls made it darker faster. We hiked just over a mile and decided it was getting too dark in sunglasses (we both wear prescription sunglasses) and it was time to just have a snack and head back to the car. This is where we planned to return for this trail, and others, before we leave New Mexico. Flexibility is an important part of adventuring and our safety and enjoyment are top concerns making the decisions to come back easy!

March-April 2021 Hikes

Here’s a glimpse of my hikes through May 1, 2021. Thanks for following along. I’m sharing brief, less wordy summaries and more photos. To me, it’s all about the experience and the photos capture it better than my words can in this format. Happy hiking!

Hike 6 - Lincoln National Forest (no specific location)

  • Found a small canyon on the side of the road

  • Explored about a mile in the canyon, walking through a dry creek bed

  • Discovered plenty of desert plants and fun rocks

  • Enjoyed a break from the extreme wind in the area (thanks canyon)

Hike 7 - Guadalupe Mountains National Park

  • Hiked through McKittrick Canyon to Pratt Cabin

  • The trail is well marked and visible; it’s mostly gravel

  • Pratt Cabin has shady pines and good views

  • Take plenty of water and wear a hat!

  • There are many trail options, but this particular hike is perfect for someone looking for a pretty, quick, and easy day hike

Hike 8 - Oliver Lee State Park

  • This was less of a formal hike and more of a little romp with the dogs along the creek

  • The park has a big trial that goes much higher, we just weren’t quite feeling it

  • Camping and hiking with great views of vastness in New Mexico

Hike 9 - Lincoln National Forest (Zinker Canyon)

  • This canyon is a sunny, tree-lined path up in elevation (it’s gradual)

  • I went in the evening, and the golden sun just made it feel like magic

  • So many big trees along the way

  • Definitely elk territory; we ran up on some and turned back

  • Multi-use trails - so be courteous to one another

  • Dog friendly and kind of secluded, hardly anyone out in that area

Hike 10 - Lincoln National Forest (Osha Trail)

  • Easy to get to, just west of Cloudcroft, NM

  • The trail is rocky, but not too bad and good for dogs

  • There is shade and some open spots with great views of White Sands

  • A great day hike if you’re headed to Cloudcroft and want to get a little exercise

Hike 11 - Lincoln National Forest (Upper Karr Canyon)

  • This hike was more of a stroll through a snowy forest than following a trail

  • We had a few inches of fresh snow, blue skies, and sunshine

  • The trees were tall and plentiful, as were the moments of enjoyment

  • There may have been a trail, but I’m not sure, and don’t care (I know there are marked trails in the area)

  • Can’t beat a cool, crisp day in the forest

  • This would be a great place to escape the desert heat below in the summer time and is dog friendly

Jan-Feb 2021 Hikes

Here’s a brief write-up of the hikes I’ve taken through February of this year.
Thanks for following along.

Hike 1 - Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

  • Hiked 3.15 miles with my Eric, Brian, and Jen

  • West Mountain Trail, Mountain Top

  • It was rainy, gray, and cool and we brought the dogs

  • This was my first visit to Hot Springs

  • 0 lbs of trash recovered (very clean)

Hike 2 - Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

  • Hike 5.25 miles with my Brian

  • Sunset Trail - it was gray and cool and it snowed

  • We took the the big dogs with us

  • 0 lbs of trash recovered (very clean)

Hike 3 - White Sands National Park (New Mexico)

  • Hiked 3.25 miles with Mike and Cora (and their doggo)

  • It was bright and sunny, but not hot

  • The sand dunes were cool and the illusion of being lost is real

  • Take plenty of water!

  • 0 lbs of trash recovered (very clean)

Hike 4 - Huntsville State Park (Texas)

  • Hiked 7.13 miles on the Chinquapin Trail (solo, no dog)

  • It was sunny and warm with a good amount of people

  • The wind through the pines was magical and made me feel truly escaped

  • 0.5 lbs of trash recovered (not a whole lot, mostly wrappers/toilet paper)

Hike 5 - Lake Mineral Wells State Park (Texas)

  • Hiked 5.24 miles with my aunt on the state trailway system towards Mineral Wells, TX

  • There was so much trash, I couldnt’ even get it all. This path follows the highway and it’s just not great.

  • Very noisy and it was borderline rainy

  • 0.5 lbs of trash recovered (so much more, would require more bags and parking closer)

March Hikes with Mike - 7 and 8

In March, I hiked twice. I graced Cibola National Forest and Dinosaur Valley State Park with my presence and had nice little hikes in each. Check it out.

Hike 7 - Dinosaur Valley State Park - Texas

Trail: Cedar Brake Outer Loop, Rocky Ridge, Black Capped Vireo

Date: Sunday, March 7th

Distance: 6.2 miles

Distance From Home: 75 miles

Weather: Partly Sunny, Windy

Trail Notes: Was a nice day, water was a little high

I needed a good hike and figured it was time to hit the old standby. Dinosaur Valley is always a go-to for a good hike close to the DFW metro area. With me on the journey was Chew the dog, my other half, and my best friend. We did several trails and weaved our way through, avoiding any major crowds which were mostly near the river.

Hike 8 - Tunnel Canyon - New Mexico

Trail: Birdhouse Ridge

Date: Saturday, March 14

Distance: 2.31 miles

Distance From Home: 614 miles

Weather: Sunny, cool

Trail Notes: This was at sundown

A nice little trail system in the Cibola National Forest outside of Albuquerque, NM. I didn’t have a lot of time before dark, and I was on a conference call, so I only did about two miles. I followed the ridge, and if time had permitted, I could have looped back in the canyon. I can’t wait to get back out there to finish this loop and explore other trails in the area.

February Hikes with Mike - 5 and 6

In February, I hiked twice. I graced Lincoln National Forest and Caprock Canyons State Park with my presence and had nice little hikes in each. Check it out.

Hike 5 - Lincoln National Forest, New Mexico

Trail: Switchback (just outside of Cloudcroft, NM)

Date: Sunday, Feb 16

Distance: 5.01 miles

Distance From Home: 548 miles

Weather: Mild and Sunny

Trail Notes: Snow in shady areas of trail, mud in the sun

I was in New Mexico for work again, so I decided to take advantage of my surroundings and get a good hike in on a familiar trail. My aunt and I visited this trail last September, but it was completely different this time around. Same great trees and mild incline, but with sparkly bright snow. The snow was not deep enough to require anything more than my hiking boots, but it was prominent enough to fill my heart with joy. I miss regular snow, but apparently only when it’s nice to look at and not deep enough to require snow boots. The trail has a mile slope as it switchbacks along the hillside. It’s at about 8,000 feet, give or take, and follows the highway out of Cloudcroft. There are sweeping views of trees and mountains, but it also feels like a hallway through some big trees. It’s a nice little trail to do if you don’t have all day and want to enjoy some fresh pine scent. It’s not secluded feeling; there is road noise on occasion.

Hike 6 - Caprock Canyons State Park

Trail: North Prong Spur, Upper North Prong

Date: Saturday, February 29

Distance: 7 miles

Distance From Home: 290 miles

Weather: Partly sunny, warm, windy

Trail Notes: The climb to Fern Cave was not exactly what I remembered, but still manageable

We planned a family weekend of camping, hiking, and most importantly campfires. My aunt and uncle hauled their camper out and set up a few days before the weekend, and Eric, Chewy, and I made our way out Friday afternoon. It was windy and sunny, mild, and seemingly perfect for the end of February. We planned to hike Saturday, I wanted to show my aunt Fern Cave and just enjoy the day we all had together. We started out, a little late because a wee bit too much was consumed the night before. The sun stayed behind some clouds most of the day, which was actually a relief for temps. We were doing alright, a little windy but alright, then we hit the final push to get to Fern Cave. It was a little more intense than everyone was used to, but we made it up and then down in only to find they were all brown! I had only been in the fall, so I wasn’t sure if they went brown in the winter and came back to life in the spring? I didn’t know what to expect. Either way, we enjoyed the cool temps but had to get out because some people were monopolizing it with their lunch making (making it stink like fuel) and dogs off leash everywhere. We meandered out and back to the main trail and eventually back to my car. The dog was TIRED, we were mostly spent, and it was definitely time for a cocktail and some dinner.

No matter how many times I visit Caprock Canyons, I always enjoy the trails. It’s one of my go-to locations in Texas and I already can’t wait to get back for another weekend.

#HIKE2 - Ocotillo Hills Nature Trail

HIKE 2 - Ocotillo Hills Nature Trail, Carlsbad, NM

Trail: Occotillo Hills Nature Trail

Date: Sunday, 01/12/2020

Distance: 2.06 miles

Distance From Home: 445 miles

Weather: Warm, sunny, slight wind

Trail Notes: it’s one mile, so two there and back, and either all uphill or all downhill


I’m in New Mexico for work, and I had reached a point where I needed a break on a Sunday afternoon. I drove the half hour to Carlsbad, but didn’t have a lot of time so just did a local nature trail. Turns out, this one was perfect for the hour I had to hike! It was 1 mile from trailhead to trailhead; I parked at the lower level at New Mexico State Carlsbad.

The trail meanders through the hills along side of the Living Desert State Park and Zoo. Once about halfway up, you can really see the city below. Once about three quarters of the way up, you get a full view and it’s quite spectacular for a little local nature trail. As the trail name suggests, it is lined with ocotillo and other desert plants. Pair those plants with a blue sky and you have the perfect hike.

This trail has no shade, but is great on days with mild temps and sunshine. Once summer hits, it may be a little warm, though I don’t know the area climate that well. If this trail were in my backyard, I’d use it to train for mountain running by doing many miles.

I hope you find a nice local trail wherever you are and take advantage of your surroundings. Happy hiking!

#hike23 - Lincoln National Forest

HIKE 23

Date: Saturday, September 14, 2019

Location: Lincoln National Forest, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

Distance: 4.43 miles

Trails: Switchback Trail

Miles from Home: 549

Weather: Cloudy, cool, breezy

My aunt and I decided we needed to go on a trip together and it needed to include big pines, mountains, and seclusion from the masses. We found ourselves in Cloudcroft, which is apparently a ski town in the winter, but offers affordable accommodations in September. Our goal with this trip was to have drinks, catch up, hike, adventure, and escape the heat/humidity of Texas. We did all of the things, but I’m going to focus on the hike. The Lincoln National Forest is massive, with PLENTY of amazing places to hike. Since we had driven over seven hours to Cloudcroft, we wanted to hike as near to our cabin as possible. We chose the Switchback Trail because it promised a view and it had a cool bridge over US-82.

Road noise is one prominent feature on this particular trail, but that was expected when hiking along a US highway through the mountains. It was not overly bothersome, but remained noticeable for a while. The trail itself was quite easy, with mild inclines and hills. It was shaded, smelled of fresh pine, and did eventually offer fun views. Once off the ridge, the trail splits and there are options for ATVs and mountain bikes. We encountered both, with the ATV riders being much more considerate of the two. Always stay alert and remember even if hikers have the right of way, you can still be run over.

We lucked out with the weather - only cloudy, no real rain while on the trail. Mid-September seemed to be a quiet time in the area, and just before any big fall colors. Aspens were beginning to change, but only subtly. If you’re looking for that pop, wait a couple of weeks. (Probably now, if you’re reading this at date of publish) I can’t wait to get back to the area and explore some more of the trails and take in more great pine aroma!

COOL THINGS on the SWTICHBACK TRAIL

  • there’s a tunnel to get back to the Bailey Trail parking lot

  • lots of pine variety

  • cool, forested mountain views

  • a bridge crossing US-82

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