Comments on: Southern Tier Road Trip

By: Dale Matson

Dale Matson — Fri, 24 Nov 2017 21:30:25 +0000

“There is something compelling about the journey letting us breaking free of the day to day confines we have put ourselves in.” A friend and I did a road trip from the Detroit area to San Francisco the summer of 1964. As we approached Loveland CO, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Were we actually going to cross those massive Rockies? That view of beautiful mountains left an indelible image in my mind. I was forever changed. I moved to California in 1992 and spend much of my summers in the Sierra Nevada. On a clear day, they are quite dramatic from my hometown of Fresno.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 18:26:32 +0000

In reply to Raylan. Wow! Thanks for the suggestions!

By: Raylan

Raylan — Thu, 23 Nov 2017 09:00:42 +0000

Possible stops between Phoenix and Big Bend:

AZ: Chiricahua National Monument is a somewhat secret gem on the AZ/NM/Mex border. Some great hikes on both sides (north and south) of the range, hoodoos on the north, aspens on the south, Sky Island Traverse crosses through here. Camping is available. Lots of migratory birds stop there as well this time of year. Rodeo/Portal are small towns nearby with food, drink, and a cool artsy/rancher vibe.

NM: Gila Wilderness. I believe you already stopped here on your CDT hike. The hike to the hot springs is about 11 miles, camping available. Silver City has a good brewery and interesting downtown. CDT Trail Days is here in April, they have a growing hiking community.

NM: Hatch. You like food and culture, may as well swing by the birthplace of the Hatch Green Chile. Quaint farming communities string the Rio Grande Valley. Pepper Pot has one of the best Green Chile Cheeseburgers in the state, all of the local farmers eat there. Cash only.

NM: Organ Mountains National Monument. Just east of Las Cruces, there are some decent hikes in the Organs and camping on the eastern side. Las Cruces has a handful of breweries now: Bosque, Spotted Dog, High Desert. Everyone has their own favorite Mexican restaurant here, I’d recommend Andele’s Dog House in Old Mesilla, get the tacos and enjoy the salsa bar.

Rather than take I-10 through El Paso to Big Bend you could take a northern loop through Alamogordo>Cloudcroft>Artesia>Carlsbad>Van horn and this would give you the opportunity to make these stops:

NM: White Sands National Monument. If you haven’t been it is worth the detour. Words can’t describe it, check out pics online, and even the pics don’t do it justice. A very unique place.

NM: Cloudcroft. Little mountain community. Nearby is Weed, they have a nice disc golf course on a private cabin/camping area.

NM: Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Camping available.

TX: Guadalupe Mountains National Park. TX High Point is here, not much compared to CO but nice hike, desert > pine trees in about 2 hours. You can see for hundreds of miles in all directions at the peak. There are several areas to explore and camping available.

Then take Hwy 54 back to Van Horn and Hwy 90 to Marfa/Alpine on your way to Big Bend.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 18:48:43 +0000

In reply to Todd Anderson. Nice! Thanks for the suggestions.

By: Todd Anderson

Todd Anderson — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 18:47:17 +0000

Sounds like fun Paul 🙂 If you are headed toward Big Bend, you might check out Guadalupe Mountains National Park along the way. It is in Texas but right at the southeast corner of New Mexico. I’ve backpacked both and enjoyed them both equally. And if you want a tase of the Texas Hill Country camping, Lost Maples SNA and Hill Country SNA are two of my favorites. You can car camp or backpack at both.