Best hikes for a self avowed cactus freak?

[Chris43]

Hi,
I'm visiting West Texas and New Mexico in the second half of April. I've been to the Big Bend NP and Ranch State Park three times now, but want to venture a bit further west.
I plan to visit the Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains area, and whilst there are the standard trails which the visitors centres give details of, I wonder if to see the greatest variety of cactus plants - not just Opuntias - there are other day hikes. I've done a fair bit of hiking, though not a spring chicken - last time in BBNP I did the South Rim hike up Laguna and down the Pinnacles in a day hike, no problem.
If anyone knows, and has seen interesting plants along the way, please od let me know.
Thanks in advance - either post here or email me.

[Boojum1]

I like cactus and desert adapted plants also.  I say go for whatever hiking you prefer and just keep an eye out.  I've only ridden horses up to the South Rim, which didn't allow for much hiking around, unfortunately, so I can't speak to that area <<next time in BIBE...gotta have goals, you know>>  Any of the mostly desert, mid to low elevation type hikes will reward you with cactus and, that time of year, blooms.  Don't neglect the planted areas like the Warnock Visitor Center, Panther Junction, the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute (do the greenhouse!!!) (call ahead for hours to be open, etc) near Ft. Davis.  C Desert museum north of Carlsbad is good too, if you venture back there.  

The basin seems to be predominantly Opuntia dominant but vary the terrain a bit any you'll see some diversity.  

...looking forward to your report when you go.

[WayneR]

If you love cacti you have come to the right place!  I can offer a few suggestions to try.  The true desert loving plants, which I personally find the most fascinating will be found in the lower (and yes hotter) elevations of the park.  Huge clumps of Strawberry cactus (Echinocereus Stramineus) are abundant along the road from PJ to RGV.  I have found some wonderful colonies of Texas Rainbow (Echinocereus Dasyacanthus) around Daggar Flat.  The Eagle Claw (Echinocactus Horizonthalonius) is pretty widespread throughout the park on exposed, hot, limestone ridges.  If you are after the Living Rock (Ariocarpus Fissuaratus), check out the Old Ore Road in late October!  :D  The endangered "Chisos Hedgehog" is actually pretty common at the higher elevations, say around the South Rim



Take lots of pictures!

Wayne

[TheWildWestGuy]

Chris43 - I am no cactus expert but if you go to GUMO you should definately plan to hike up to the Grotto and Pratt Lodge in McKittrick Canyon (~6-7 miles roundtrip?).  McKittrick has live Trout in the stream, the historic Pratt Lodge (Wallace Pratt was the Humble geologist that signed the King Ranch Lease and donated this area to the NPS), and a very lush green ecosystem much different than everything around it.   I also recommend Smith Springs (~2-3 miles) which is like a mini-Mckittrick without the trout.  These areas may not be thick with cactus but the biodiversity is great and they both contain historic structures and interesting cultural and natural things.... TWWG

[WayneR]

Chris,
After re-reading your post it would seem you will not be making it to BIBE this trip.   :( Well, you will have some places to check on your next adventure to the "Bend"! :D

GUMO is on my short list of places to see.  Can't offer any specifics but have heard there are some mature specimens of Ferocactus Wizlizenii in the Davis Mountains...

Wayne

[Al]

I don't think you will see the diversity of cacti at the Guadalupes as BiBe, although I'm not an cactus expert. If you do go to the Guadalupes, I agree TWWG that McKittrick Canyon is a must see and is an easy walk.

Al

[RichardM]

Hey Chris, welcome back!  Long time no post.  Now get over to the Cactus ID thread and name that cactus for us! :)

[Chris43]

Thanks to all who posted. I have been extremely tardy, nay, downright rude in not responding earlier. I hope you will forgive, but I have had family problems that have diverted me for a good while.
I did make it over, and my route was from DFW airport down to Midland the first evening, then up early and up to Carlsbad area and Guadalupes the next day. McKittrick canyon was excellent, so many thanks for the advce - its easy hiking as well.
Eventually I left the area and headed across and up into NM, staying in Las Cruces for a while, using it as a centre. Some great places within reach. One nice short hike was Anthony Pass, with some excellent plants.
And then I lef the nice armth and got up to northern NM, staying nFarmington, and enjoyed (not") the wind, rain and snow. But even there some good plants and great walking, varied country from miles of dry flats to wooded moutainsides.
I will put up an album soon and post a link here of the plant life I encountered.
Here's to the next time in the Bend!

[homerboy2u]

First time i have ever read English , with an accent. You should read my spanglish..great mini trip report Chris..let's see some more pictures on the BiBe , from the Britts side...Cheers    tataa !!!!

[jim2]

First time i have ever read English , with an accent. You should read my spanglish..great mini trip report Chris..let's see some more pictures on the BiBe , from the Britts side...Cheers    tataa !!!!

this post made me laugh out loud, good one homero!

jim2