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Texas/New Mexico

Hiking at Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains & Carlsbad Caverns

Program No. 23329RJ
Come south this winter to explore diverse ecosystems, geologic formations and human cultures, while hiking in three of our nation’s national parks.
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  • Hiking at Big Bend, Guadalupe Mountains & Carlsbad Caverns
National ParksWalking/HikingOutdoor AdventuresSmall GroupMost PopularNature & Environment
Length
8 days
Rating (4.99)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,449
Program
At a Glance
Duration
8 days
Program Begins
El Paso, Texas
Program Concludes
El Paso, Texas
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
20 ( 7B, 6L, 7D )
Activity Level
Join local experts and a small group of fellow hikers as you explore the varied ecosystems of three national parks: Big Bend, the Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns. Learn how early natives, pioneers, miners and ranchers interacted with the land and its diverse flora and fauna, especially the curanduros healers. Find out what it means to live “off the grid” as you travel to remote Mexican border towns, and see why this region was once known as “the Last Frontier.”
Best of all, you'll...
  • Hike down to the deepest caverns of Carlsbad Caverns, both a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Enjoy dinner at the historic Starlight Theater and hike the iconic trails at Big Bend National Park.
  • Spend an evening stargazing the night skies in Terlingua.
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General Notes
Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Featured Expert
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Erica Little
Erica Little spends her summers floating the Pigeon River in Hartford, Tennessee, and winters in Terlingua, Texas leading single and multiday river trips as well as hiking and backpacking trips. She has a Wilderness First Responder first aid certification and is a self-proclaimed thorn and blister expert. Erica has through-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the southern half of the Pacific Crest Trail, and completed multi-day hikes in Nepal, Switzerland, Tasmania, Patagonia, and the Andes. Terlingua has been her winter home for 12 years.
Please Note:
This expert may not be available for every date of the program
Please Note:
These experts may not be available for every date of the program
Jimmie Ivy is a welder, carpenter, electrician, and plumber. When he moved to Terlingua, he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician in the ambulance service and served as captain of the Terlingua Fire Department for five years. He is a Wilderness First Responder. His passion is the region’s wildlife and includes tracking and identifying animal signs. Jimmie enjoys sharing his binoculars with others in spotting animals, from the smallest lizards and birds to bobcats and big horn sheep.
Erica Little spends her summers floating the Pigeon River in Hartford, Tennessee, and winters in Terlingua, Texas leading single and multiday river trips as well as hiking and backpacking trips. She has a Wilderness First Responder first aid certification and is a self-proclaimed thorn and blister expert. Erica has through-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the southern half of the Pacific Crest Trail, and completed multi-day hikes in Nepal, Switzerland, Tasmania, Patagonia, and the Andes. Terlingua has been her winter home for 12 years.
Erin Little comes from the Appalachian region of Tennessee. She has led groups for 19 years, typically spending the summer leading whitewater raft groups in Tennessee and the rest of the year leading hikes, river trips, and Mexico outings in far west Texas. She is also a Swiftwater Rescue Instructor and certified Wilderness First Responder.
Andrew Campbell is from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. From a young age, he and like-minded friends would wander to the few undeveloped areas left in the city. As he got older, he worked in kitchens, bars, construction, warehouses, and manufacturing to save for travel in search of places that still held some of the wild spirit. Andrew has been coming through the Big Bend area for over 20 years and loves working the winter season, sharing his love for these wild and quiet remnants of the past.
Amanda Martin grew up in South Carolina and found her way to the Big Bend as it is the only place in the lower 48 where you can be a river expert in the winter. She started leading groups in the Chattooga River in 2011 and has been working on the Rio Grande since 2017. Amanda is passionate about the plants and canyons of the Chihuahuan Desert. Amanda is also an artist; currently printmaking is her specialty, inspired by the regional flora and fauna.
Adana Martinez has called the Chihuahuan Desert home her whole life. She was born in Fort Davis, Texas, and after graduating college, moved to Terlingua, Texas. She has since spent many years guiding boats on the Rio Grande through Big Bend National Park. In the summer, she guides rafts on multi-day expeditions in Utah.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking 3-7 miles each day over varied terrain in high desert. Elevations from 5,500 to 8,000 feet. Standing for up to 2 hour per day while on trails, learning flora, fauna, history. 6 days include minibus rides of 1 - 6 hours with stops to and from trailheads. Expect approximately 28 miles of hiking over 6 days. Must be physically capable of participating in all planned program activities.
Small Group (13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Books and Resources
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You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
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Peace of Mind

We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

Assurance Plan

Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

Want to Protect Your Investment?

Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

Sustainable Travel

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.

  • Peace of Mind

    We want your Road Scholar learning adventure to be something to look forward to—not worry about. That’s why we go to the ends of the earth to give you peace of mind, from the moment you enroll until the day you return home.

  • Assurance Plan

    Road Scholar is committed to the well-being of every participant, whether on a program in the United States or abroad. That’s why all participants are covered under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan, which provides 24-hour assistance in the event of an emergency during your program, as well as insurance for emergency medical evacuation.

  • Want to Protect Your Investment?

    Road Scholar is pleased to offer its Trip Protection Plan as a way to protect your program investment. You may purchase this optional trip protection plan when enrolling in your program.

  • Sustainable Travel

    We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Read about our commitment to a more sustainable planet.