Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Smith Spring Trail

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After the McKittrick Canyon Trail hike, I headed to the Visitor Center and spoke with a park ranger about other hikes I could do. It was still relatively early and I wanted to explore more of the park. Of course, hiking the trail to Guadalupe Peak was out of the question - it's an 8.4 mile hike with a gain of 3,000 feet in elevation and takes between six and eight hours to complete. The length is easy enough, but it's the elevation gain that will defeat you. Most people start the hike before sunrise to get a head start. Maybe I'll try it next time!

Anyway, the park ranger kindly recommended the Smith Spring Trail, a 2.3 mile loop trail that starts at the Frigole Ranch History Museum. Her recommendation was spot on. The hike was fairly moderate and there was literally an oasis - the Smith spring - at the middle of the hike which made for a nice, shaded resting spot before heading back to the trailhead and the car and the drive to Van Horn, Texas.

A view of the mountains on the way to Smith Spring
The Smith Spring "oasis" in the middle of the hike
A view on the way back from Smith Spring to the trailhead




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