A fun fact about Guadalupe mountains is that it’s the same mountain chain as Carlsbad Caverns. Guadalupe is in Texas, whereas Carlsbad is in New Mexico. The mountain itself is very rugged, so there is not really a scenic drive inside the park, it’s around it. Therefore, the number of easy trails is somewhat limited. But we ate our picnic there and then visited the Frijole Ranch History Museum inside the park. After that, we returned to the Carlsbad area, and visited Slaughter Canyon.
Claudette’s Two Cents.
We drove around the area to see if we could do a few hikes, but not for us. The elevation here is 5013 ft. So it’s hard at times just to walk around. If the trail says strenuous, it’s a No GO! for sure. The El Capitan photo that Bernard has put up reminded up of the El Capitan at Yosemite park – a park we went 29 years ago.
Guadalupe Mountains are also one of the best examples of the marine fossil reef, formed some 260-270 million years ago. This area used to be a tropical ocean, now part of Chihuahuan desert.
This is also the midpoint location between St-Louis, Missouri and San Francisco, California for the Butterfield Overland Mail Route.
Another great resource about the Pinery Station can be found here.
The Frijole Ranch is one of the most complete ranch and farming home in Guadalupe Mountains. It was build near the spring which provided the much needed water to grow crops as well as a variety of fruits such as apples, peaches, apricots, plums, pears, figs, pecans , blackberries, strawberries and corn. The Smith family would travel two days (sixty-five miles) to Van Horn to sell their fresh produce.
Bernard examining what wildlife has been seen at the Frijole home
The Smith family who bought the ranch in 1906, had eight children. The school house not only served the Smith children but neighboring ranches’ children as well. The teacher was given room and board, a horse and a monthly salary of $30.
