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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.
View Full Itinerary
General Notes
Due to the nature of this program, listening devices are not available.
Profile Image
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
Profile Image of Jimmie Ivy
Jimmie Ivy
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.
Profile Image of Erin Little
Erin Little
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.
Profile Image of Andrew Campbell
Andrew Campbell
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.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Hiking 3-7 miles each day over varied terrain. Elevations from 5,500 to 8,000 feet.
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 Reading List
View Full List (5 Books)
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's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

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's continued commitment to our participants and their well-being is exemplified whether participating on a program in the United States or on one of our International programs, every Road Scholar participant receives coverage under our Road Scholar Assurance Plan.

  • 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.