McKittrick Canyon Trail – Nov 13, 2014

The big tooth maples in full color in the west Texas McKittrick Canyon of Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44339

 

 

Big Tooth Maples of McKittrick Canyon – Nov 13, 2014

The big tooth maples were in full color in McKittrick Canyon of Guadalupe National Park, TX. There was no sweating on this hike: started at 24F and only got to 28F with a 10-15mpg wind. – Img 44115

 

Pratt Cabin in McKittrick Canyon – Nov 13, 2014

Tom taking a rest at the Pratt Cabin. Wallace Pratt was a Humble Oil geologist who owned the canyon from the 1920-50s before giving it to the park. Guadalupe National Park, TX      Img 44134

 

 

Maples – McKittrick Canyon – Nov 13, 2014

This shot was taken near the hunter’s cabin. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44177

 

McKittrick Canyon – Nov 13, 2014

You can see the maples following the water from a spring high up the ravine. The water flows year round and appears above ground then drops out of sight underground back and forth down the canyon. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44187

 

McKittrick Canyon – Nov 13, 2014

View of McKittrick Canyon from near the Notch (1200ft elevation rise) Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44206

 

Maples – McKittrick Canyon – Nov 14, 2014

Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44230

 

Randy among Fallen Maple Leaves – Nov 13, 2014

Carpet of color on the ground down the trail in McKittrick Canyon (still 28F) – Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44277

 

McKittrick Canyon Leaves – Nov 13, 2014

Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44298

 

Red Maple – McKittrick Canyon – Nov 13, 2014

Found this “perfect” red maple. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44328

 

Tom hiking past Pratt Cabin in McKittrick – Nov 13, 2014

The gates of the Pratt Cabin – Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44351

 

Guadalupe Peak Trail – Nov 14, 2014

Tom climbing toward Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749ft (3000+ft elevation rise in 4.1 miles). You can see the trail head left of the center. We are about 1.2 miles up the trail and the majority of the rise. Warmed up this day to 34F but had a 25mpg wind. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44367

 

Guadalupe Trail Bridge – Nov 14, 2014

Highest bridge in Texas (over 8,000ft) – I do not remember this bridge from when I hiked this 15 years ago and wonder if part of the shelf trail fell off requiring this bridge? Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44373

 

El Capitan in the Clouds – Nov 14, 2014

View of the back of El Capitan, the signature mountain of the Guadalupe mountains that was used by early travelers as a landmark. We are about to rise into the clouds heading for Guadalupe Peak. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44387

 

Guadalupe Peak – 8749ft – Nov 14, 2014

Randy on top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas (25+ mph wind, 34F and in the clouds – did not stay long) Guadalupe National Park, TX     Img 44395

 

Hunters Peak – Nov 14, 2014

View of Hunters peak from the Guadalupe trail as we descended. If you look left of the center you can barely see the trail bridge (seen better in one of the other photos). Guadalupe National Park, TX     Img 44409

 

El Capitan of Guadalupe Mountains – Nov 15, 2014

The distinctive profile of El Capitan in the left side of the mountains was used by early travelers as a landmark for their travels. The Guadalupe mountains are actually an exposed reef from the ancient Permian Sea. The reef predates coral and was made of sponges and algae. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44608

 

Smith Springs – Nov 15, 2014

Smith Springs is one of the 6 year round spring providing water in the dessert for animal and plants. Many trees and plants along the spring and then minimal plants beyond. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44562

 

Devil’s Hall Conglomerate – Nov 15, 2014

The wash exposes conglomerate, which is an ancient mud/rock slide that has been compressed into “rock”. The stuff looks unstable but is hard as concrete – Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44521

 

Devil’s Hall Trail – Nov 15, 2014

Tom climbing up the dry wash heading toward Devil’s Hall – Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44462

 

Devil’s Hall – Nov 15, 2014

Tom is working his way down a 15+ft pour-off on the wash leading up to Devil’s Hall – narrow, smooth steps up the pour off. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44519

 

Devil’s Hall – Guadalupe Nat Park – Nov 15,2014

Randy standing at the entrance to Devil’s Hall, a deep near vertical cut with layers of rock exposed. Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44471

 

Maple Leaves in Devil’s Hall – Nov 15, 2014

Some red big tooth maple leaves along the wash leading up to Devil’s Hall – Guadalupe National Park, TX – Img 44427

 

White Giant Tour – Nov 12, 2014

Tom squeezing though a tight passage on the way to the Hall of the White Giant – Carlsbad National Park, NM – Img 44096 0823i (iPhone – no space for SLR!!)

 

Kings Palace – Nov 11, 2014

Massive stalagmite with draperies in the Kings Palace of Carlsbad National Park, NM      Img 44054

 

 

Lower Cave – Carlsbad – Nov 11, 2014

Tom at the bottom of one of the 3 sets of stainless steel ladders descending into the guided tour of the Lower Cave of Carlsbad National Park, NM – Img 43960

 

Popcorn Formation – Nov 11, 2014

“Popcorn” formation created by higher evaporation rate – Lower Cave of Carlsbad National Park, NM – Img 43989

 

 

Carlsbad Caverns – November 11, 2014

A massive stalagmite in the Big room of Carlsbad National Park, NM – Img 43916