Join a desert hiking expert on a guided hike in the Franklin Mountains on Sunday, September 24, 2023
The Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta is a two day event. Day one is at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens on Saturday, September 23. Day two on Sunday, September 24 is at the park where we will have guided hikes only. For more information about day one at the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens visit this page to be an exhibitor or entertainer and to see the schedule of events to be posted in late August early September.
Fiesta Hikes
This year we are encouraging people who want to join a guided hike as part of the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta to register in advance. The number of people per hike is limited so register as soon as possible. Registration ends on September 20, 2023. Guided hikes are free, but there is an entrance fee for the park. All hikes are in the Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Section at Park Headquarters: 2900 Tom Mays Access Rd. El Paso, TX 79911.
Did you know you can get your park entrance permits ahead of time online? Just go to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/ enter Franklin Mountains State Park on the location field then select day passes from the “interested in” drop down menu, enter the date, enter 1 for length of stay, choose Franklin Mountains State Park once again, and just follow the prompts until you get a reservation number. The reservation number is your entrance permit/pass, at the park just show that to the park rangers at the visitor center.
Register Here
One of the rarest animals in the Franklin Mountains is the long-tailed weasel.
Learn more about each of the hikes we are offering below the registration form. Hikes 1-4 are at Tom Mays Park. Other hikes in the El Paso Area may be added in the near future. After you have reviewed the hike descriptions scroll back up to the top of this page and fill out the registration form.
Please register for only one hike using the form below. In the box provided list the number of the hike you want to sign up for plus the number of people who will join you. The maximum number of people who can sign up for one hike is 5. If you have a large group, contact us so that we can try to accommodate you.
Note that most trails in the park are not handicap accessible. For more information on handicap accessible facilities contact the park at (915) 444-9100. There is an entry fee to the park, but the guided hike is free. To learn more about the park and entry fees visit the park website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains.
Hike Descriptions
1. Mundy’s Gap Geology Hike 9am, Sunday, September 24, 2023
Hike Leader – Jason Ricketts
Assistant Professor
Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences
The University of Texas at El Paso
Jason Ricketts is a geologist at UTEP and studies the geologic history of New Mexico and western Texas. Much of his research is field-oriented, and many of his studies take place in the local mountains and deserts where he observes rocks in order to reconstruct tectonic events that helped to shape the landscape into what we see today.
Description of the hike:
Start time: 9am. We should be done by 12 or 1pm.
Start location: West Cottonwood Spring Trailhead, Tom Mays Unit of Franklin Mountains State Park. We will hike up to Mundy’s Gap and back down to the parking lot.
Length: 4 miles
The goal of this hike will be to examine the rocks that make up the Franklin Mountains and to use them to learn about the geologic history of the El Paso region. It will be geology-oriented and we will make several stops to look at different kinds of rocks. We will also stop at several scenic overviews to talk about the geology on the east and west side of the Franklin Mountains. Participants should dress to hike, including sturdy boots, pants and long sleeve shirt. Bring plenty of water and snacks or a lunch. A hat is required to keep cool. The hike is uphill to Mundys Gap, and is a moderately-difficult hike.
2. Sorry this hike is full – Introduction to the Chihuahuan Desert, 8:30 am, Sunday, September 24, 2023
Hike Leader – Rick LoBello
Education Curator
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Sorry this hike is full
Rick LoBello is the co-founder of the Chihuahuan Desert Education Coalition. He is a biologist advocating for conservation education of the Chihuahuan Desert since 1975. Much of his work focuses on the reintroduction of endangered species like the Mexican wolf and bolson tortoise and transboundary conservation in the Big Bend National Park region.
Description of the hike:
Start time: 8:30 am. We should be done by 10-10:30am.
Start location: Tom May’s Park Visitor Center presentation area.
Length: .75 miles
We will begin at the Visitor Center presentation area with a live animal encounter presented by Education Specialist Heather Rivera from the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Following the encounter we will drive to the Nature Trailhead a short distance down the road into the park. The goal of this hike will be to introduce guests to the Chihuahuan Desert focusing on the animal and plant life. Participants should dress to hike, including sturdy boots, pants and long sleeve shirt. Bring plenty of water. A hat is required to keep cool. The Nature Trail is along level ground and is a easy hike.
3. Hike to Aztec Cave, 9am, Sunday, September 24, 2023
Hike Leader – Eugenio Lucero
Local Hiker
I have been hiking the Franklin Mountains since a young age. My parents were local hikers. I have been hiking the Franklin Mountains ever since. Right now I am an admin for three hiking groups in El Paso, Tx groups are El Paso Hikers, El Paso Hiking & other adventures see you on the trails, and my own group El Paso Seek Club. I love local hiking and adventure. It’s my passion, and the love of the great outdoors. I do schedule local hiking events and small group guided hikes. I make them fun and informative. I like to talk about local mountain history and point out plants, birds, and local wildlife. I am cpr/aed certified. Basic survival training, basic first aid training. id # BFEF1C5
Description of the hike:
Start time: 9am. We should be done by 12pm.
Start location: Aztec Trail Head.
Length: 1.2 miles
The trail is well maintained for most of the hike, with a steep incline with loose rubble just ahead of the entrance to the cave, so we will take this section slowly and carefully. There are benches at several scenic overlooks along the trail. Participants should dress to hike, including sturdy boots, pants and long sleeve shirt. Bring plenty of water. A hat is required to keep cool. This is a moderately-difficult hike.
4. Lower Sunset Shortcut #1, 8:00am, Sunday, September 24, 2023
Hike Leader – Diana Moy
Park Interpreter
Franklin Mountains State Park Park Interpreter Diana Moy was born and raised in our border region, She has always been interested in nature and the outdoors and obtained a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology from the University of Texas at El Paso. Diana has worked in both private and government agencies in fields related to conservation; for the last ten years she has worked as Park Interpreter at Texas State Parks.
Description of the hike:
Start time: 8:00 am.
Meeting place: End loop/end of Tom Mays Access Road
Description: This hike is a moderate 2.5 mile hike. After a steep initial descent down an old jeep road, the trail transitions to well-maintained trail that climbs up and out of the canyon meandering around rock
outcroppings before making its way back up. It ends with a slightly steeper climb up to the scenic overlook.
