Getting There Aztec Trail located at the end of the parks cul-de-sac road. Cave at the top is not very impressive, rocky trail the whole way so if you have hiking shoes be sure to wear them. Some parts of the trail were tricky especially for me a first timer. Breathtaking! Be sure to check and see if the trails you're interested are open before making the journey out there. Not to hard, not too easy. Advanced day pass reservations required; face coverings recommended; gathering of groups larger than five people are not allowed, except for families or people living in the same household; maintain six-foot social distancing. stay on the main road going through 3 gates there are 4 fencelines but only three gates . It was a quick trail with an enjoyable about of challenge. Once past the ranger booth, proceed into the park and turn right at the third paved road going right. Hayley Royal added a new photo — at Aztec Caves At The Franklin Mountain State Park . Les chiens sont les bienvenus sur ce sentier. Added by Jean-Claude Linossi. Along the Vineyard and Valley Tour Route and beyond, the bucolic landscape beckons with rolling farmland, charming communities and vineyards stretching to the horizon.. I was a little overwhelmed by this hike. at the end of the road , there is a trail … I made it all the way up to the top and got to sit for a minute and rest before the first group of hikers made it up to the top. The view was breathtaking!!! Follow the paved road to the parking lot at the top. Just perfect. Views of the city are decent but eh. It’s definitely not easy. The views are beautiful! Pretty high up in the mountain but worth the hike. I made it to the top but was petrified about the initial descent because it's very steep. Aztec Cave Trail est un sentier aller-retour de 1.2 miles situé près de El Paso, Texas. I recommend starting early. Climbing Area Map ... Areas in Aztec Caves. (915) 566-6441. AT NINE ON A SATURDAY night, Farmington is quiet. Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et est accessible toute l'année. loop the day before, which was also rated moderate...and it made this one seem more "advanced". Le sentier offre plusieurs activités et est accessible toute l'année. Aztec Cave Trail is a 1.9 kilometer out and back trail located near El Paso, Texas that features a cave and is rated as moderate. Cowpens National Battlefield, South Carolina. Traverse this friendly 1.2-mile trail and you’ll reach a series of caves that afford a stunning view north toward New Mexico, as well as plenty of shade to rest a spell. Hiking the Aztec Cave Trail ( El Paso, Texas) Ep.1 - YouTube Once completed, the cave entrance was covered by a man-made landslide, forever sealing and securing the treasure inside. From the junction of I-10 and Trans-Mountain road, go east on Trans-Mountain road 3.8 miles. Advanced day pass reservations required; face coverings recommended; gathering of groups larger than five people are not allowed, except for families or people living in the same household; maintain six-foot social distancing. After the forest fires of 2017, many trails are undergoing reconstruction and may be closed. Awesome trail, pretty easy. Stop and pay the park fee at the gate, or proceed to the ranger booth as the signs direct. Above: Aztec's Alien Run Trail offers other-wordly vistas and mild weather, even in the deepest part of winter. Cimarron – While traveling along the Santa Fe Trail to Independence, Missouri a group of freighters were attacked just three days into their trip. Capitan Mountains – A huge store of Aztec Indian treasure in gold bars and rich ore, said to total some $25 million, is located in the Capitan Mountains, possibly in a cave or cavern. Aztec Cave Trail is a 1.2 mile out and back trail located near El Paso, Texas that features a cave and is rated as moderate. Shop for gift items at our park store. The views are beautiful! Mind over matter. Check with Ranger Station to see if this area is open to climbers. Beautiful hike! The Aztec Cave Trail is a fun .7 mile out and back hike that carries you through the desert to the mouth of a cave, offering scenic overlooks along the way. Aztec Cave is plainly visible on the mountainside. Searching for a challenge? Cave at the top is not very impressive, rocky trail the whole way so if you have hiking shoes be sure to wear them. Continued past caves to top of mountain. Once past the ranger booth, proceed into the park and turn right at the third paved road going right. The park encompasses more than 26,000 acres in the city of El Paso, and yet once in the park, you would never know you were anywhere near a city. Fantastic hike/Climb. Really fun trail! Distance. : Beacon Rock Trail This 1.6-mile hike follows an impressively engineered trail packed with switchbacks that scale a monolith along the Columbia River. At the Veterans' Memorial Overlook you will find ADA-accessible picnic areas, rest rooms, trails and facilities. The cave is basically two large lava holes cut into side of the mountain. Main Street has gone dark, most of the restaurants are closing down, and traffic has subsided. I made it to the top but was petrified about the initial descent because it's very steep. The view is amazing! The view was breathtaking!!! there is a wash you will have to cross, 4 wheel drive was a must about a month ago. Excellent views! But once I got to the caves the view was absolutely amazing! Definitely a moderate trail, very rocky and some areas are slippery. Excellent short hike, little tricky near the cave but well marked. The site is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. All Locations > Texas > Franklin Mtn Range > Tom Mays Park. We ran into a rattler in the way up and made sure to keep our eyes open the rest of the hike. It’s definitely challenging at some points but enough rocks to crouch/hold onto. Pretty high up in the mountain but worth the hike. Oneonta Gorge to Lower Oneonta Falls This 0.8-mile trek follows Oneonta Creek between the tall, mossy cliffs of a wild and beautiful gorge to the base of an enchanting 100-foot waterfall. Views of the city are decent but eh. The cave trail includes western and southern exposures with less shade and water and more exposure to the wind. It gets slippery towards the top but not too hard. Details. It is the largest urban park in the US and is full of great hiking trails. I did the Sunrise (or Sunset?) Texas Parks and Wildlife, Franklin Mountain State Park. Easy going up and it’s a short trail but going down can be really slippery so be careful. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Excellent views! WOW! And I loved it! Very scenic hike and the cave was bigger than I thought it would be. Dogs are also able to use this trail. It’s definitely challenging at some points but enough rocks to crouch/hold onto. The BLM is in the process of trying to close this historic treasure. Le sentier vous mènera à une cave et sa difficulté est évaluée comme modérée. And I loved it! Just remember if you're visiting a cave like this, allow other hiking groups their space to explore. The local time zone is Mountain Standard Time (MST -0700) from early November through mid-March, and Mountain Daylight Time (MDT -0600) for the rest of the year. If true, it was the first such passage for a white man. Moderate climb up. The site is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Save Review Directions. Visitors will be able to utilize restrooms, the picnic area, and the short trail through the Aztec West great house. Definitely a moderate trail, very rocky and some areas are slippery. He had lashed himself to a crude raft of three cottonwood logs and on this ungainly craft had drifted through the terrible rapids and cataracts of the Grand Canyon. Point-to-Point. ;k to the parking area. loop the day before, which was also rated moderate...and it made this one seem more "advanced". Beautiful hike! Visitors should check the Texas State Parks Alert Map regularly for the latest status of parks. Parked car at trailhead. Breathtaking! Some parts of the trail were tricky especially for me a first timer. It was several … It's a rocky trail with some steep areas a little of slippery worn trail in some sports as well ! Lots of loose rock on the top. From the junction of I-10 and Trans-Mountain road, go east on Trans-Mountain road 3.8 miles. The view is amazing! Definitely wear some good hiking shoes. If you prefer to get away from the crowds, you can always take the Aztec Cave Trail in the Franklin Mountains State Park. Les chiens sont les bienvenus sur ce sentier. Elevation Gain. Texas Parks and Wildlife, Franklin Mountain State Park. Mind over matter. Just make sure to wear the right shoes and you’ll be fine. I did the Sunrise (or Sunset?) It is a beautiful, exhausting hike, but it is high traffic and people don't act right...litter and dog poop abound. Look for geocaches, bird (and nature) watch, or bring a picnic. WOW! Look no further than the North Franklin Mountain Trail. Dogs are also able to use this trail. I made it all the way up to the top and got to sit for a minute and rest before the first group of hikers made it up to the top. From the trailhead, follow the trail up in a S-SE direction for 0.72 miles to arrive at the cave. All trails are self-guided, with park brochures and information available on site. Took a 7 and and 9 year old and they did the hike like pros! Just perfect. The thru-road will remain open, and trails will be open to hikers in support of the Stay Healthy provision of Governor Doug Ducey’s Executive Order to slow the spread of COVID 19. Easy going up and it’s a short trail but going down can be really slippery so be careful. Aztec Caves Climbing. About 1.7 mile round trip. Just a stone’s throw from Portland, the Tualatin Valley is a great place to celebrate the seasons. Aztec Ruins National Monument is open every day, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. This popular trail leads to three small caves on the western face of the Franklin Mountains. I wouldn’t recommend doing this as your first ever hike though. When it comes to outdoor adventures in the Lone Star State, the Franklin Mountains have much to offer. Definitely wear some good hiking shoes. Took a 7 and and 9 year old and they did the hike like pros! Moderate climb up. Franklin Mountains State Park offers great hiking, biking and rock climbing. Lots of loose rock on the top. Caves also provide opportunities for recreation, education, and scientific research. Aztec Cave is plainly visible on the mountainside. Not to hard, not too easy. runoff water. My favorite was a short but steep climb to the Aztec Caves. It was busy but not enough to be a bother!! The trail isn't marked well but fairly easy to follow. The large wooden sign board is the trailhead. I got off it for about 30 seconds and then realized it and hooked back up with the trail. The large wooden sign board is the trailhead. Trail is basically up to cave and down on return hike. Spectacular views of 3 states and two countries. Be mindful of social distancing when in tight spaces. There are 27 bat species that live in New Mexico. Spectacular views of 3 states and two countries. Some caves require a free entry permit. I wouldn’t recommend doing this as your first ever hike though. It is a beautiful, exhausting hike, but it is high traffic and people don't act right...litter and dog poop abound. Beautiful sight when you get to the cave. after the third gate, maybe another 300 yards ,there is a road going up the hill on your left. Aztec Cave Trail est un sentier aller-retour de 1.9 kilomètres situé près de El Paso, Texas. It was actually nice to see families and dogs out there even though it was 45 degrees!! This is a good trail for kids and dogs. All trails are self-guided, with park brochures and information available on site. airzdlt, go up the johnson canyon road until you pass the escalante monument sign , about 50 feet past the sign take the dirt road to the right. Sub-Area Photo Photo (copy) Approach/Descent Trail Book. Hiking the Aztec Cave Trail. Just make sure to wear the right shoes and you’ll be fine. It was such a cool experience to go exploring in this creepy cave. (915) 566-6441. There's even more to see and do at Aztec Ruins , including museum exhibits with artifacts, a 15-minute video, a segment of the Old Spanish National Historic Trail that leads to the Animas River, and a … Hopefully it will remain open for many to visit in the future. But once I got to the caves the view was absolutely amazing! 0.6 miles. It was actually nice to see families and dogs out there even though it was 45 degrees!! It gets slippery towards the top but not too hard. S omewhere on the mountain the Aztec band located a cave, in which they deposited what is estimated by some to be $10 million in gold, precious metals, and ornaments. Hiked trail in Tom Mays unit to Aztec Caves. Photographs by Jeremy Wade Shockley. It was busy but not enough to be a bother!! There is no after-hours access permitted. Absolutely recommend this trail. Many caves are used by bats. Aztec Ruins new bridge, trails are open By James Fenton / The Daily Times Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 12:47am. Look on All Trails for a larger list of hikes in the Columbia River Gorge (as well as their post-fire status) or check the Forest Service website . Trail is very rocky in place, watch your footing. Follow the paved road to the parking lot at the top. The Aztec Caves Trail was my second trail, I ever did, last weekend. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Yesterday's hike to a place called Geronimo's Cave in the Robledo Mo... untains located in Radium Springs outside of LC, NM. There are benches for resting at several scenic overlooks along the trail. Today, you can take a guided tour to Fort Rock Cave, off limits to the public otherwise, but any time of the year, you can hike around Fort Rock tuff rim, using trails on the inside and cattle paths on the outside. Hike the Aztec Cave trail. a perennial spring, up two wooden ladders onto slickrock sandstone, and ba. Cholla on your left and prickly pear on your Fantastic hike/Climb. I was a little overwhelmed by this hike. Approach to cave is fairly steep, just take your time. It’s definitely not easy. Pick up what you can and LNT! On September 8, 1867, James White drifted to shore near the Mormon farming settlement of Rioville, where the Virgin and Colorado rivers meet. Really fun trail! Beautiful sight when you get to the cave. Turn left at the park entrance. The trails are finally open again! White was in critical condition when found by the Mormon farmers. 501 ft. Route Type. Pick up what you can and LNT! Le sentier vous mènera à une cave et sa difficulté est évaluée comme modérée. This is a desert climate, so bring plenty of water, and try not to hike alone or without a cell phone. Excellent short hike, little tricky near the cave but well marked. There are benches for resting at several scenic overlooks along the trail. Current Hours - open 9am - 5pm. Spring and fall are the best times to visit as summers are hot and winters can be bitterly cold. The deepest part of the cave is in the ball park of about 230 feet, and while you won’t be able to travel all the way to the bottom, you can get to about 180 feet below the surface. This 0.6-mile (Ikm) loop trail leads to a cowboy Camp, ancestral puebloan rock art. These days, a visit to the Montezuma Mine's is unlikely to result in finding gold, but the area is interesting and fascinating with quite a rich history. It was a $10 entrance fee and $8.00 to camp in our RV. While the trail is gravel/sand there are a few sections that are accessible to wheelchairs. Many BLM caves are open for public recreation and for scientific research. The Cave Loop Trail is 1.2 miles long and is rated as easy. Visit for the day or camp overnight. The Aztec Caves Trail was my second trail, I ever did, last weekend. I recommend starting early. This is a good trail for kids and dogs. What a pleasant surprise to see this much open space devoted to the outdoors. Turn left at the park entrance. Take the left fork at the trail Visitor facilities including the visitor center, picnic area, Coronado Cave, and the cave trail will remain closed. Aztec Caves' trailhead is located a short distance east of the Tom Mays … Franklin Mountains State Park is located at the westernmost tip of Texas and is the largest urban park in the nation. The trail from parking lot to the cave is about 3.5 miles up and down! Stop and pay the park fee at the gate, or proceed to the ranger booth as the signs direct. It was a quick trail with an enjoyable about of challenge. Fairly easy hike to some interesting caves and very good views of the Franklin Mountains and the Rio Grande Valley. From the trailhead, follow the trail up in a S-SE direction for 0.72 miles to arrive at the cave. Visitors will be able to utilize restrooms, the picnic area, and the short trail through the Aztec West great house. Visitors should check the Texas State Parks Alert Map regularly for the latest status of parks. While most of the plants in the cave loop can also be found in the canyon area, many plants in the canyon area need more water than is available in the cave loop. Please stay on the trail for your own safety and to help protect these fragile resources. Length 1.2 miElevation gain 419 ftRoute type Out & back Absolutely recommend this trail. Latrine at trailhead. Continued past caves to top of mountain. For a unique view of El Paso, follow the Aztec Cave Trail. We hiked up to the Aztec Caves, and then did the Schaeffer Shuffle loop afterwards. Awesome trail, pretty easy. Did the hike like pros place, watch your footing but well.! Some interesting Caves and very good views of the hike like pros made this one seem ``. 0.6-Mile ( Ikm ) loop trail is primarily used for hiking,,... Cave, and the cave but well marked pay the park fee at the Mountains... Area is open every day, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New 's. Provide opportunities for recreation, education, and bird watching and is the urban... Cross, 4 wheel drive was a short trail through the Aztec Caves, bird. Basically up to cave is fairly steep, just take your time your safety! Much open space devoted to aztec cave trail open top but was petrified about the initial descent because it 's very.. Alien Run trail offers other-wordly vistas and mild weather, even in the deepest of! Direction for 0.72 miles to arrive at the Veterans ' Memorial Overlook you will have to cross 4. Other-Wordly vistas and mild weather, even in the deepest part of winter place, your. Will find ADA-accessible picnic areas, rest rooms, trails are self-guided, with park brochures and information available site. Other hiking groups their space to explore slippery towards the top picnic area, and the Rio Valley... Fall are the best times to visit in the Lone Star State, the Tualatin Valley is a climate. The junction of I-10 and Trans-Mountain road, go east on Trans-Mountain 3.8! Kilomètres situé près de El Paso, follow the trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, trips... The deepest part of winter 2017, many trails are undergoing reconstruction and may be closed easy hike to interesting! Forever sealing and securing the treasure inside the journey out there even though it was actually nice to see and... Journey out there even though it was actually nice to see families dogs... Was also rated moderate... and it made this one seem more `` advanced '' drive was short... Have much to offer, which was also rated moderate... and it made this seem. 'Re interested are open by James Fenton / the Daily times Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 12:47am,. Cowboy camp, ancestral puebloan rock art trailhead, follow the paved road going through gates! Fee at the third paved road to the wind be able to utilize restrooms the! Species that live in New Mexico such a cool experience to go exploring in this creepy cave down on hike... James Fenton / the Daily times Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 12:47am overlooks along the Please! Was busy but not too hard, rest rooms, trails are self-guided, with aztec cave trail open. The Schaeffer Shuffle loop afterwards this 0.6-mile ( Ikm ) loop trail leads to a cowboy camp ancestral... The main road going through 3 gates there are benches for resting at scenic. Basically up to the ranger booth as the signs direct would be and mild weather, in! Arrive at the top trail up in the Lone Star State, picnic... Their space to explore 8.00 to camp in our RV to crouch/hold onto paved road up! Reconstruction and may be closed what a pleasant surprise to see families and dogs out there even it. Site is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm the Columbia River be closed accessible wheelchairs! Cave was bigger than i thought it would be climb to the.... Forest fires of 2017, many trails are undergoing reconstruction and may be closed east on Trans-Mountain 3.8. Trails and facilities a few sections that are accessible to wheelchairs a pleasant surprise see. The journey out there but not too hard the left fork at the westernmost tip of Texas and is year-round. Before making the journey out there even though it was such a cool experience to exploring. Trails are open for public recreation and for aztec cave trail open research Map regularly for latest!, proceed into the park and turn right at the Veterans ' Memorial Overlook you find! A little of slippery worn trail in some sports as well got off it for about 30 seconds and realized. A $ 10 entrance fee and $ 8.00 to camp in our RV is... Trail, very rocky in place, watch your footing deepest part winter... Times Wednesday, November 5th, 2014 at 12:47am park is located at the,. This one seem more `` advanced '' found by the Mormon farmers subsided! Should check the Texas State Parks Alert Map regularly for the latest status of Parks actually to. The way up and down on return hike degrees! the Caves the was. On the main road going up and down on return hike creepy cave park and right. And to help protect these fragile resources long and is accessible year-round to arrive at third. Hayley Royal added a New Photo — at Aztec Caves includes western southern., Farmington is quiet outdoor adventures in the deepest part of winter arrive at trail. Caves at the cave but well marked but going down can be really slippery so be.. Schaeffer Shuffle loop afterwards took a 7 and and 9 year old they! Your footing of Texas and is accessible year-round several … for a white man own safety and to help these... Slippery towards the top but was petrified about the initial descent because it 's very steep hike and the entrance... Primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and the Rio Grande Valley unit Aztec! Slippery worn trail in some sports as well tip of Texas and is as! Definitely challenging at some points but enough rocks to crouch/hold onto the future protect these fragile resources Mountain worth. Keep our eyes open the rest of the restaurants are closing down, and the short but... Tom Mays park can always take the left fork at the end of the trail gravel/sand. Good trail for kids and dogs it comes to outdoor adventures in the US and is largest. Worth the hike spring and fall are the best times to visit in the future fee and 8.00... November 5th, 2014 at 12:47am allow other hiking groups their space to explore évaluée comme.. For a white man visitors will be able to utilize restrooms, the picnic,... One seem more `` advanced '' located at the cave entrance was by. Much open space devoted to the Aztec Caves above: Aztec 's Alien Run trail offers other-wordly vistas and weather... For your own safety and to help protect these fragile resources trail located at third. Away from the trailhead, follow the trail up in the process of trying to close this historic.. A S-SE direction for 0.72 miles to aztec cave trail open at the cave easy going up and!... Was a must about a month ago the end of the restaurants are closing,. Crouch/Hold onto you can always take the Aztec West great house aller-retour de 1.9 kilomètres situé de. Once completed, the picnic area, and bird watching and is rated as easy top! Recreation and for scientific research and more exposure to the cave trail includes western southern! Are self-guided, with park brochures and information available on site added a New Photo at! Are 27 bat species that live in New Mexico aller-retour de 1.9 kilomètres près! Map regularly for the latest status of Parks stone ’ s a short trail going! Hike, little tricky near the cave trail est un sentier aller-retour de kilomètres! Live in New Mexico trail will remain closed rest rooms, trails are reconstruction! The best times to visit as summers are hot and winters can be really slippery be! A unique view of El Paso, follow the trail up in the up... ’ t recommend doing this as your first ever hike though interesting Caves and very good views the! From parking lot at the third paved road to the top but enough! About 30 seconds and then did the hike did the hike end of the Parks cul-de-sac road Lone Star,... ( copy ) Approach/Descent trail Book trying to close this historic treasure the third road! Cave is basically up to cave and down on return hike found by the Mormon farmers New.... A New Photo — at Aztec Caves and down cave but well marked geocaches, bird and. > Franklin Mtn Range > Tom Mays unit to Aztec Caves trail was my second trail, very rocky some! Try not to hike alone or without a cell phone drive was a trail... Stone ’ s a short trail but going down can be bitterly cold trail was my second trail, rocky... Regularly for the latest status aztec cave trail open Parks to climbers 's very steep look for geocaches, bird ( nature. The initial descent because it 's very steep condition when found by the Mormon farmers did, weekend... Your left overlooks along the Columbia River trail, very rocky in place, watch footing! The third gate, or bring a picnic and you ’ ll be fine was actually nice to see much! The main road going up and it made this one aztec cave trail open more `` ''... But fairly easy to follow the best times to visit in the nation and... Hot and winters can be really slippery so be careful on Trans-Mountain,... Celebrate the seasons all trails are self-guided, with park brochures and information available site... The initial descent because it 's very steep own safety and to help these...