Category Archives: Camping

Guadelupe Mountains National Park

Camping, Hiking, Roadtrip

Next stop is back in Texas. That has some major advantages. Within minutes after driving into Texas, I had 5G with full bars. Much handier than the 0 anything I had in New Mexico, especially when looking up things.

My campground is inside the national park and it’s both scenic and quiet.

Below is the view on the park as you approach it.

Today I took a hike, which was too long for my phone battery, that gave up.

Fortunately, I had all trails app on my watch so I could finish the last 4,5 miles. All in all a strenuous hike. Halfway up Bear Canyon ran into two guys who had spent the night on the trail as they were too tired to continue.

This was the goal; hunter’s peak. The first section is one continuous uneven staircase of rocks.

But the view got bigger each turn. I started at the buildings you see just above the V.

Finally made it to the top.

Then this is the view

That peak you see is the highest mountain in Texas, but I could not do that one as I first had to deal with some work emails that delayed me an hour and a half.

A few minutes after the peak I almost met a snake up close. He took the attack position and hissed like there was no tomorrow.

Not knowing how far this one can strike, I kept my distance.

It’s hard to see but it’s in the center of the pic above. AI informs me it’s a Gopher snake, which is known for its loud hiss. He’s non venomous . But I only know that now and prefer not to get bitten by any snake, especially halfway up a 10 mile hike.

After the hike I decided I needed a shower, so drove to White’s city cavern inn, just outside the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. But they close the cave at 2 pm, so I’ll go there first thing tomorrow.

Mesa Verde

Camping, Roadtrip

Just arrived at Morfield Campground inside Mesa Verde national park Colorado.

There was a bear sighting but these sites come with a bear locker to store all food in. Did not see or hear a bear.

Made a short hike here to the top of the nearest peak.

in the morning I took some more pictures before heading to White Sands national park (New Mexico, a drive over 500 miles.

In Utah, the predominant color was red. In Mesa Verde it’s logically green. Parts of the drive weren’t gorgeous as it went through an area that was burned down just a few years ago.

Moab

Camping, Roadtrip

Moab is a small town a bit further up north in Utah. Not as small as Monticello and not as big as Durango. After my Dead Horse point hike I set up camp here.

The Moab RV & Glamping resort ( they also offer tipis and cabins) is south of Moab. I chose this one because most campgrounds tend to be right on the highway and this one is not.

Monticello

Camping, Roadtrip

After my natural bridges hike I opted for a higher ground camp site, as they cool down nicely around this time of year.

So Monticello it is for tonight

What I like about this place is that it has both restaurants and grocery stores at walking distance.

Natural Bridges Utah

Camping, Hiking, Roadtrip

This national park has 3 natural bridges, the highest concentration of natural bridges in the US. As I told the park ranger about my America the beautiful pass purchase, he stated he wished some of that extra money would actually go to national parks. Then adding that he’d better steer the conversation back to the park itself, as he could (even as a volunteer) get fired for making comments that would be considered political.

I decided to hike down two of them

Durango

Camping, Roadtrip

After Chimney Rock I drove to Durango, a town in the mountains on the way to my next state; Utah

To be honest, I liked Santa Fe much better. Durango as a town is like many other American small towns.

But the campground is close to town yet fairly quiet.

There’s a small railroad track right next to my tent; tomorrow a steam train should pass

the train just came by;

I took a video:

Heron Lake

Camping, Roadtrip

After my visit to Santa Fe I drove north to Heron Lake, which was a very scenic drive, but no safe places to pull over so no pics from that. At the lake, I found a spot at the Blanco sites.

Heron Lake suffers from the same problem as Canyon Lake did until recently;not enough rain.

This is the view of the lake, from a trail that normally is close to the water line.

This hike would normally take you into the water. Now it’s not even close. Below a picture from the furthest I walked, still a long way from the water line.

But Canyon lake proves that all it takes is a month of good rain and the lake could be restored to its full glory.

Trip 2: Amarillo to Santa Fe

Camping, Roadtrip

After my Palo Duro Canyon hike, I drove to my first non Texas destination in the US in years; Santa Fe. That’s in New Mexico.

One of the main differences between Amarillo and Santa Fe is the altitude; Santa Fe is up around 2100 meter, which means it’s less hot and cools down at night. ( I will confirm if that’s really true tomorrow)

Another well organized campground and on this one I have neighbors in a tent. But campsites in the US are large, so it’s never crowded.

Palo Duro Canyon

Camping, Roadtrip

They say everything is bigger in Texas. That’s true for most things, but not for Canyons. That said, Pali Duro, the second largest canyon in the US is still impressive. Like the Grand Canyon you drive up not seeing much but plains. But suddenly you look down into a vast canyon.

I opted for the most scenic hike; light house trail.

Above on the left is the small lighthouse. The 3 mile hike takes you up to the big one. The trail is easy except maybe the last bit where you have to climb up some rocks.

You see some people to the left of the tower; that’s as far as you can go up, unless you’re a mountaineer.

This is from the other side, after climbing up.

Below, I pose next to the tower.