Holidays are Good Times for Families to Share the El Paso Outdoors

Lisa Degliantoni's and Dave Ford's son, Miles, braves a tall cottonwood to gather mistletoe during a river walk yesterday.

Newman Park families joined some of the Elpasonaturally/Sunrise Hikers for a nature walk along the Rio Grande beginning at Country Club Road. Their objective: exercise, fresh air and mistletoe to add to their home holiday decorations. Unlike last year when mistletoe was plentiful, only a few sprigs of this hemi-parasitic plant could be found. Nevertheless, one cottonwood yielded the herb that legend says killed Baldur. More mistletoe was found among a stand of willows. An old and large cottonwood on the east side of the river was loaded with the treasure.

The holidays mean more time for family outings. So, what can be better than the beautiful outdoors of El Paso, Texas. Nearer to the neighborhood is McKelligon Canyon. Cooler mornings make the five-mile round trip walk a great way to enjoy the scenery and get in shape. The end of the canyon provides easy access to the ridge of the mountain and begins the Ron Coleman Trail which culminates at Transmountain Road.

Morning exercise at McKelligon Canyon

Avid hiker, UTEP Prof. Karl Putnam, enjoys the spectacular scenery from the ridge following the Ron Coleman Trail

Been Outside?

Red Dome Blanket Flower, Gaillardia pinnatifida, in McKelligon Canyon

Ocotillos in bloom above Scenic Drive

A view looking out of McKelligon Canyon with slope of Sugar Loaf on the left

Newmanista, Donna Stephens, wanted to know if you get a ticket for shooting photographs as you drive. Probably not unless you are talking or texting on your cell phone at the same time.

She sent us the pics shown above. There is so much color in our little part of the Chihuahuan Desert right now. A walk along Scenic Drive on Scenic Sundays or a drive or walk into McKelligon Canyon reveals so many of our native plants in bloom.

All of this is accessible from our Newman Park Neighborhood. If you are interested in hiking in different places in the El Paso region, email me and I'll put you on a hiking info email list.

Scenic Drive is closed to motorists every Sunday morning so that walkers, runners, bikers, skateboarders and skaters can come out and enjoy the mountain and the spectacular view - which right now includes a forest of ocotillos in bloom. Now through September, the drive is closed from 6 a.m. until 11 a.m. From October through March, Scenic Sunday hours are 7 a.m. to Noon.

Pictures above courtesy of Donna Stephens who wasn't using her cell phone at the time

Wyler Tramway: One of Newman Park's Gateways to the Franklins

The Newman Park neighborhood has a number of ways close by to access the Franklin Mountains. Certainly Scenic Drive's availability especially on Scenic Sundays (7 to Noon) is a great way to enjoy the scenery and geology that the south Franklins have to offer. McKelligon Canyon just north of our neighborhood gives easy access to the beauty of our mountains and a quick way to gain access to the ridge itself and one of the best hikes in the mountains along the Ron Coleman Trail.

Another favorite is the Wyler Tramway. Those who want to enjoy just the scenery can use the tramway to reach Ranger Peak. There is a gate at the peak that allows access to other trails along the ridge and over the mountain. Rangers are available to give directions.

Simply put, getting outdoors and into the mountains is easy for Newmanistas.

Check out the following hikes at Celebration of Our Mountains: There will be two Ron Coleman hikes - the first on October 10 and another on November 1. There is a difficult trail from the parking lot at the Wyler Tramway to the ridge. It is called the Directissimo. On October 18, there will a hike to the top of the ridge and back. On October 29, there will be a hike up the Directissimo which connects with the Ridge and Tram Trails. Hikers will end up at the station and take the tram back down. Finally, on October 20, there will be a nice guided hike in McKelligon Canyon.