Training Log Archive: JanetT

Hiked up McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains NP as far as The Grotto, where we ate sandwiches we had packed. Took a side trip to see the Pratt Cabin on the way, a stone/masonry building (walls and roof; very little wood) near where the washes of the north and south canyons join. Not far beyond the Grotto was another stone cabin. Most of the trail stayed in the sun despite us being in a canyon. Ridges towered over us 1000' or more.

Temps were in the low 30s when we started but it was sunny and not very breezy, a stark contrast to the past two days. Warmed up to mid 40s by the time we returned to the car. We dressed properly and had plenty of water.

We saw 4 people coming in the opposite direction on the way out to the Grotto (including a couple who were possibly 10 years older than us), and 9 others on the way back plus a younger woman who passed us when we stopped near one of the 10 stream-bed/wash crossings to look at some birds. Only two of the crossings had any water; one of these had enough water that we crossed on stepping stones. Birds we saw were a number of Townsend's solitaire and robins, plus a western scrub jay or two and a couple other not-yet-identified birds.