Tom Mays Franklin Mountain State Park

It’s not often that I am asked to recommend things to do in El Paso, but every now the question comes up. I always tell people to just go hiking when they come to El Paso. It’s not necessarily something that would automatically come to mind, but the desert here is honestly a cool place! I’ve gone on several hikes in the park and surrounding area and boy can I say that it has toughened me up! I hardly even flinch now when I get stuck by lechuguilla or wind up with a few cactus needles stuck to my butt. Coming back sore, bruised, and bloody never felt so good in fact! In all seriousness though Tom Mays is a great park and you really can’t go wrong here. There are always cool events going on too through the park and the rangers never cease to be awesome. Yes, this is where it’s at in El Paso as far as I am concerned!

Crickey! Ova here we gotta rattler! But don’t get too close or she’ll nip ya! Ohh, she’s a beaut isn’t she?
If only every trip to the Franklin Mountains were accompanied by an Australian zoologist/​veterinarian/​animal-​lover that explained every little detail of your adventure as it was happening…*sigh*
The Tom Mays Unit is my favorite side… section of the FM (although technically you could hike or bike from one unit to the other, but I live in a world where I hike for the health benefits, not for transportation reason… yay gas guzzling technology!). These trails tend to be in better shape then a lot of the ones off McKelligon canyon.
There is some kind of actual rock climbing here at the TMU, but based on the man hanging on for dear life on the map, I have yet to master (or even attempt) it. The trails on FM aren’t too terribly advanced either, which may be a good or bad thing depending on what you’re looking for. I do love the Aztec Caves mostly just because you feel so accomplished after making it up such a steep mountain (with a 60 lbs. dog in tow) without falling on your tush. There are a few trails that start off with this extremely rocky terrain. And by ‘rocky terrain’ I mean loose boulders, rocks and pebbles that tend to be sharp and slick (my favorite combo… that’s sarcasm). The Cottonwood starts off like that, but once you get past that avalanche waiting to happen, the hike becomes easier and depending on what time of the year you go the spring may actually be in full flow.
This is Texas, so a snake or two shouldn’t shock you, but it really doesn’t happen that often. We do have mountain lions too and some type of deer thing (although I’m still not convinced the signs aren’t just an elaborate hoax done by the city of EP), but sightings are rare.
I have gone hiking in other cities and states and while my favorites are out of town, the TMU still ranks high in my books because there are a variety of trails and the desert scenery is completely captivating.
Oh, the only other thing I should mention is there is a $ 5 (I think) fee per person. Not a big deal, it helps pay for the workers which I’m glad are out there because once you hit the mountain there’s almost no cell coverage.

Watch out for dem ratt’lers, scorpions and da like.