We packed up the Rio Grande Village campsite and headed north to the Guadalupe Mtns NP for our second leg of hiking Texas. Bye bye Big Bend. Not too bad a drive on 75-80mph TX roads required ~4hrs. Along the way we saw dust devils, a tethered weather station, and approached the rock outcrops of the Guadalupes with anticipation. We arrived mid-day with few in the the "campground" (that would soon change) so set up easily on an asphalt slab. At least we're on the end of the row near "forest," and would finally be allowed to use the generator (thought the drive up had charged everything nicely.
Smith Spring & Frijole Ranch Hike... We went to the visitor center and had cell service and even wifi inside. We discussed our hiking plan with the ranger and understood the temps were high here too and we should hike early, but not too early as the gate to the road we wanted to take opens only at 8AM ~ and there is confusion as no devices we had knew we were in MDT again, rather than CDT ~ fortunately we knew reality and updated our devices manually. We also chose not to do the very popular Guadalupe Pk hike, the highest point in Texas ~ and boy it was very crowded on Saturday morning in the neighborhood. We did a quick leg-loosener before dinner Fri night called Smith Spring Trail and Frijole Ranch. Frijole Ranch was at the trailhead and featured a 6 gal/hr spring and remnants of a recent family settlement. The hike was great as we climbed again into a canyon with a spring fed stream, from desert to less-so, and the fauna changed across the incline.
We chose hot dogs on the grill with chili, jalapeños, onions, and spicy mustard as a rare treat.
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