El Paso Hikers Letter: New Exploratory Hike

Hike to Aztec Cave. Click to enlarge image.

You can now see the Franklin Mountains State Park March Hiking Schedule.  Ladies, take note of the Women’s Only First Time Hike on March 22^nd.

Carol Brown is leading a hike this Saturday, March 10, to Aztec Cave, then to the ridge above the caves, to Mundy’s Gap and over to East Cottonwood Springs and back. There is an elevation gain of a 1,000 feet and the round trip distance is 5 miles. Therefore this is rated a moderate to difficult hike although the hike to Aztec Cave and then above it to the ridge is about the most difficult part. It’s a beautiful hike and you will enjoy some spectacular views to the west and to the east of the mountains. Expect to be hiking about 5 hours. Bring plenty of water and snacks and wear sturdy hiking shoes. There is a $4 per person entrance fee into the Tom Mays Unit of the FMSP unless you have a Texas State Parks Pass or Bluebonnet Pass or mention that you are with the El Paso Ridgewalkers or El Paso Hikers and get in for the $1 per person group rate.  Meet at the Aztec Cave parking area beginning at 8 a.m. Hike will begin promptly at 8:20 a.m. For more information, call Carol at 915-630-1424. This hike is posted online at the El Paso Hiking Group site.

If you want to do some birding on Saturday, then join the Audubon Society for an easy to moderate hike and birding at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, McKittrick Canyon and Frijole Ranch.  Meet at 7:00 a.m. in front of Evergreen Cemetery, 12400 E. Montana, 1/4 mile east of Loop 375. (Map)  Car pool from there.  Bring water, lunch, hiking shoes and binoculars.  There is a nominal entrance fee to get into the Park.  If you have a National Parks Pass, please bring it.  Nonmembers and beginners are always welcome.  Contact Mark Perkins at 637-3521 or mperkins4@elp.rr.com for more information.

Next Thursday, the El Paso Hikers will do an exploratory hike from the Mountain Park area north. The hike will begin near 2780 Gunnison Drive in Mountain Park on the east side of the mountains. (Map) Expect an easy to moderate hike for two hours beginning at 7:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time.  Yes, folks  this Saturday night before we all go to sleep we will set our clocks one hour ahead.  Time springs forward as they say.  So on the 15^th sunrise begins at 7:15 a.m. (Civil twilight begins at 6:51 a.m.) This will be a good hike to see some good geological formations, old Knapp quarries, and some fossils besides just having a great time.  The incomparable Trail Master himself, Tom Robinson, will guide us.

The magnitude 2.5 earthquake that struck East El Paso this past Monday night generated some attention.  UTEP Dean and Professor of Geology, Diane Doser, is a seismologist and you can replay her live chat on the subject with the El Paso Times.

Do keep in mind that Scenic Drive is closed every Sunday morning from 7 to Noon. (6 to 11 a.m. beginning April 1.) It’s a 4.1 mile hike from one side to the other. This walk takes in a dazzling panorama of El Paso and Juarez and a display of 500 million year old fossils! It’s a good recreational walk and can be done in an hour and a half. A friend and I usually walk it from the east side (Richmond and Kentucky) beginning at 7 a.m. Email me and say you will join us.

Finally, know that Turner Classic Movies will be showing Take the High Ground on March 28^th. Be sure to check for times. This is the 1953 movie that was shot on Ft. Bliss with our mountains (roughly above Diana to Transmountain) as a backdrop. (See two clips here.)

Excelsior!