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Peter Buhler

We hiked through the canyon during spring break. Unfortunately, the canyon boasts its colors in the fall when the leaves change. However, we were still rewarded with great views of the canyon around us. We hiked up to the Notch and back, which was around 9 miles. I would definitely recommend the extra distance past the Grotto if you know for sure you're not going all the way to McKittrick Ridge. The Notch provided a great view and a shaded rest area. Make sure to bring plenty of water ESPECIALLY if you are backpacking.

Although one of the more popular hikes in the park, Guadalupe Peak demands more out of the hiker. We started well before sunrise and were treated to a beautiful view about mid-way up the mountain. Make sure to bring lots of water, especially if you are hiking during the middle of the day. I drank over 2 liters and most of the hike was in the dark. The views are great from the top. Nothing very technical required to get to the summit; just endurance! Happy hiking!

It was a beautiful area, with many trails heading into the Pecos Wilderness that I would love to come back and hike someday. Although I wasn't able to summit due to the weather, I was able to get within 500 vertical feet of the peak. I did see a lot of people on the trail, but only because it was Labor Day Weekend. I'm sure that the farther into the Pecos Wilderness that you get, the less people that you see. All that being said, I would love to come back again at some point and summit Lake Peak, and possibly other mountains in the area.

I went to Richland Creek with a few friends last May. A cool front had just come through, so the water was a little cold for swimming, but the weather was great for hiking. Although we weren't able to find Twin Falls, we found a few other water falls by exploring the area. Some of the trails are easy to follow, while some of the trails appear to be rarely used. We went in the middle of the week, and only about half of the 11 campsites were occupied while we were there. It was a great experience that I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a quiet place to camp and explore.