Guadalupe Mountains - A Sneak Peak (part one)

Because we finished all we could do at Carlsbad Caverns and still had a day before our flight home, we decided to get a head start on next year's national park, Guadalupe Mountains. We had taken our Sunday afternoon drive to Dog Canyon (named for prairie dogs not regular dogs), so that section was done. Next up was the McKittrick Creek area. This is basically just a day-use trailhead; the visitors center was not open, but there were a few outdoor exhibits to read.

There was also a one-mile nature trail which we took. Our feet were still recovering from Saturday's hike, so it was slow going, but we completed it. Along the way, we noticed that the plants next to the signs explaining them were very poor (even non-existent) examples. I guess they received too much love from previous visitors, although you'd think no one would want to touch a prickly cactus!

Algerita

Cane Cholla

Oak Mistletoe

Alligator Juniper

It looked like the spring had dried up long ago!

Fragrant Sumac

Cat's Claw Mimosa

Desert Ferns

Oreganillo or Whitebrush

The Arroyo

Bear-Grass

Mariola - We couldn't figure out which plant went with this sign; I had to get a picture from the internet. (Some of these others were unclear and are guesses as well.)

Mexican Buckeye

Evergreen Sumac

Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye

This plant makes for sense for Skeleton Leaf Goldeneye, but it wasn't near the placard. Do you think it matches this sample from the Carlsbad hike?

Ocotillo

Grasses

Oak "X"

Lechugilla

True Mountain Mohagany

Texas Madrone

Red Berry Juniper

Soaptree Yucca

New Mexico Agave

Wayne didn't realize we had finished the nature trail, and he headed off on the Permian Reef Trail! Fortunately, he didn't go far. And since this post is already super long, there will be another one for the Pine Spring area!