Guadalupe Mountain NP

 Sunday Feb 26, 2023 - When we got to Guadalupe Mountain NP yesterday afternoon we stopped at the visitor center to get help figuring out some hikes. The ranger said “we’re going to have a big event” and we were thinking great maybe something fun? But she said no it was a big wind event with winds forecast to be 50 mph with wind gusts up to 95 mph. She said the wind would start around noon on Sunday. We decided we didn’t really want to be on the top of a mountain in that, so we’d hike early Sunday morning and then drive the 1 hr 45 minutes to El Paso to wait out the wind storm. We found a great hike that started on the Guadalupe Mt trail and then cut across the horse trail to Devils Hall this gave some views but we didn’t have to hike the 3000 ft elevation/ 8 mile hike to the top of the peak (maybe next time?)  The hike was 3.5 miles and 2 hours, with some great views, and we were on the road to El Paso before 9:30. The drive there was a bit harrowing with huge wind gusts across the flat land and lots of dust blowing. We found a Walmart (we need groceries) and parked next to a semi so it could block the wind for us all afternoon.  We, along with 5 or 6 other RVs, spent the night in the Walmart parking lot. We’re headed to New Mexico tomorrow.

Nice morning views

Lots and lots of up

A view of the campground, which was just  a few spots allocated for campers in the trailhead parking lot

As you can see it was a windy morning even though we were hours from the peak of “the big event”

More up

We’re about ready to head down

Last views

Flatter ground on Devils Hall trail

Last views of Guadalupe Peak as we leave for El Paso

The air was cloudy with dust (in El Paso, late Sunday afternoon, the air quality was 500)

I think we’re a high profile vehicle? Kev had to keep a tight grip with both hands on the wheel to keep us on the road