Guadalupe Peak

Over Labor Day weekend, Dave and I climbed to the top of Guadalupe Peak...the tallest peak in Texas! Friday night we drove to Carlsbad, NM. We stayed at the Stephens Inn which is the same hotel that Dave's parents stayed at for their honeymoon. This was just a random coincidence. Saturday we got up early for our 8.5 mile round trip hike. Within the first twenty minutes of our hike, I saw a LONG black-tailed rattlesnake crossing the trail. I was walking in front and stayed calm long enough to move behind Dave. I actually stayed pretty calm until I heard the rattle. Dave, of course, wasn't scared and was able to get some great photos. We think it was a little longer than three feet and from zooming in on pictures we counted eleven rattles.

Beautiful sites along the hike

Here you can see the backside of El Capitan in the background.

We made it!!! 8,750 feet

The views along the trail and at the top were absolutely beautiful. I recommend that all Texans hike this rewarding trail!