Hiking 101--Where's the Trail?

If you're new to hiking, here's a tip.  To help folks stay on the trail, many are marked with piles of rocks, called cairns.  (See one in the center of the photo?  Click on the photo for a closer view!)  They are often placed at regular intervals on trails with stony areas or in places where the direction of the trail may not be obvious.

Isn't this a lovely view?  You can hike this trail yourself at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center, outside Fort Davis, Texas.  The Clayton's Overlook trail is just 1.5 miles and offers terrific views of the entire Davis Mountains range.

Never been a hiker, but you're eager to try?  Late this spring we're going to announce a fun hiking challenge for Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park...and we'll make it easy for new hikers to achieve their goals...even if it means hiking the tallest peak in Texas!  Our other partners will be our own Texas Mountain Trail and GeoBetty.com!