Texas Mountain Trail

05/28/2026

🥾 | Discover Rio Bosque Near Socorro, Texas 🌿

This peaceful 2.0-mile gravel loop winds through the Mission Valley/Socorro area near Pan American Drive and Socorro Road, right alongside the Rio Grande. The trail is mostly flat and beginner-friendly, making it perfect for walking, jogging, birdwatching, or simply enjoying a quiet moment in nature. 🌾

What makes Rio Bosque especially unique is that it’s one of the few remaining wetland habitats in the El Paso region. The 372-acre park is home to migratory birds, wetlands, cottonwood bosque habitat, and native wildlife that thrive along the historic Rio Grande corridor. Before the Rio Grande was channelized in the 1930s, the river actually curved through what is now the park, and parts of today’s Rio Bosque were once located in Mexico!

Visitors love the peaceful atmosphere, sunrise birdwatching, and wide-open desert sky views. Keep your eyes open for burrowing owls, cranes, and other migratory birds that stop here throughout the year.

Have you explored Rio Bosque yet? Share your favorite photos or wildlife sightings in the comments below!

Credits 📸: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/rio-bosque-loop/photos

05/26/2026

✨ SPARK! Places of Innovation is Coming to Alpine ✨

This summer, Before arriving in Alpine as part of the , SPARK! Places of Innovation will be featured in Kerrville in the , before continuing on to Taylor in the Texas Brazos Trail. Additional Texas stops for SPARK! include Snyder in the , Brackettville in the , and Atlanta in the Texas Forest Trail Region.

On view July 3 – August 9, 2026

Created through the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program, SPARK! explores how innovation happens in rural communities, from art and culture to technology, entrepreneurship, and everyday problem-solving. The exhibit highlights the creativity, resilience, and ingenuity found in small towns across America, including communities right here in Texas.

While 25–30 million people visit the Smithsonian each year, only about 1 in 4 Americans will ever experience it in person. Since 1994, more than 2,200 communities, many with populations around 8,000 residents, have hosted Smithsonian Museum on Main Street exhibitions, and in 2026–2027, six Texas towns, including Alpine, will have their turn in the spotlight. You don’t have to go to Washington to experience the Smithsonian, sometimes, it comes to you.

The Alpine stop of SPARK! Places of Innovation is proudly supported by the Alpine crew, including Visit Alpine, Texas, the Museum of the Big Bend, , and partners across the Texas Mountain Trail Region.

Plan your visit:
Tuesday–Saturday | 10 AM–4 PM
https://authentictexas.com/a-spark-across-texas/
https://my.si.edu/exhibitions/spark-places-of-innovation

05/23/2026

🌙✨ is here, and the skies over the Texas Mountain Trails are putting on a show!

Tonight we’re moving from the 🌑 New Moon phase into the 🌓 First Quarter Moon, the point where the Moon is about halfway illuminated and climbing higher in the evening sky. The First Quarter officially arrives this weekend, making it the perfect time to spot craters and shadows along the Moon’s surface with binoculars or a telescope.

During the New Moon, skies are at their darkest, making the Texas Mountain Trails region one of the BEST places in the country to see the Milky Way stretching across the desert sky. The First Quarter Moon rises around midday and sets around midnight, giving early evening skywatchers the perfect mix of moonlight and dark skies. The rugged mountains and high desert elevations around Big Bend and Fort Davis mean less light pollution and crystal-clear summer night skies.

If you’re planning a summer stargazing adventure, add these incredible dark-sky destinations to your list:

• Bend Observatory: Amazing desert skies and unforgettable nighttime views near Big Bend Country.

• Observatory: One of the premier observatories in the world, famous for its Star Parties and giant research telescopes.

Whether you’re chasing the Milky Way, watching the Moon grow brighter each night, or simply soaking in a quiet desert evening, there’s nothing quite like in Far West Texas. 🌠

Credits 📸: https://www.flickr.com/photos/httpwwwfotocomphotos/45577988995
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vickigibson/8736452226
https://www.bigbendvacations.com/observatory

05/22/2026

: Spotlight on El Paso, Texas 🌄

Before it became the vibrant border city we know today, El Paso was once a remote frontier town sitting on the edge of the Wild West. Everything changed in 1881 when the railroads rolled in, transforming the city into a major transportation hub and gateway to the Southwest.

One of the coolest places to step back into that era is the Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso, where historic photo displays bring the city’s railroad glory days to life. Its star attraction? The beautifully restored 1857 El Paso and Southwestern Railroad’s Locomotive #1, a rare pre-Civil War steam engine that’s over 165 years old!

From frontier outpost to railroad powerhouse, El Paso’s history is full of adventure, innovation, and stories that helped shape the American West.

Have you ever visited El Paso or explored its railroad history? Drop your favorite frontier town below! 👇

Credits 📸: https://kvia.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_0827-1-scaled.jpeg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/El_Paso_and_Southwestern_locomotive_number_1.jpg
https://riograndetrailsandtales.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Union-Depot-Historical-Copy-1024x692.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0a/Railroad_and_Transportation_Museum%2C_El_Paso_%2828319850304%29.jpg

05/19/2026

It’s and today we’re spotlighting a hidden architectural gem in far West Texas: First Baptist Church! 🏛️✨

Built in 1928, this beautiful church was designed by legendary architect Henry C. Trost and the famous firm Trost & Trost, the creative minds behind many iconic Southwest buildings.

The church was designed in a “Church Gothic Lite” style, giving it classic Gothic charm without the massive European cathedral scale. It still stands today in great condition and continues serving the community nearly 100 years later! The structure features red brick walls, concrete detailing, and originally measured about 45 by 64 feet. Fabens may be a small town, but it once featured several Trost-designed buildings, showing how influential the firm was across the borderland region.

Located at the corner of Camp and Fabens Streets, this church is a reminder that incredible architecture isn’t only found in big cities, sometimes it’s quietly waiting in the heart of a small Texas town. 🌵❤️

Have you ever driven through Fabens and noticed this historic beauty?

Credits 📸: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=2739794732805242&set=pcb.2739796132805102

05/16/2026

Look at these Mountians yall! 😎

05/14/2026

This looks absolutely gorgeous!! 😍

My amigo Gene Hunter nabbed this shot of the central milky way from Equador last evening.

05/13/2026

Big congratulations to the team at Henry’s on the grand opening in Van Horn!

West Texas just got a new destination for incredible food, handcrafted cocktails, and rich local history all in one place. From the Trostini to pistachio fried steak and key lime pie, this menu looks amazing. Excited to see another unique dining experience brought to life in our region.

Can’t wait to stop by and try it for ourselves. Welcome to the neighborhood, Henry’s! 👏

Now open: Henry's! Where craft cuisine meets craft cocktails, inspired by the architect who started it all: Henry Trost. Here, history mixes with hand-cut steaks and a Trostini, our signature creation.

From green chili artichoke dip to Henry’s Salad, pistachio fried steak to the perfect key lime pie, grab a seat at your new favorite restaurant. Texas style, Trost-inspired. Welcome to Henry’s, Van Horn! Check out our new menu, online.

05/08/2026

Spotlight: CDRI Outside Loop + Lion’s Head Hill 🦁

Looking for a trail that packs a punch without taking all day? The Outside Loop at the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute in Fort Davis delivers big views, desert beauty, and a rewarding climb up Lion’s Head Hill, all in one adventure.

• Distance: ~1.75 miles (loop with optional spur to the summit)
• Difficulty: Moderate (that hill climb will wake up your legs!)
• Terrain: Rocky desert paths, native plants, and sweeping vistas

The peak, Lion’s Head Hill, gets its name from its distinct profile that resembles a resting lion. Once you reach the top, you’re treated to panoramic views of the Davis Mountains that feel way bigger than the hike itself.

This area sits in the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, the largest desert in North America. The trail winds through a botanical preserve, so you’ll spot native plants like ocotillo, agave, and prickly pear. Keep an eye out for wildlife: jackrabbits, lizards, and a variety of birds call this place home. CDRI is all about conservation and education, so every step you take supports preserving this unique ecosystem.

Whether you’re chasing views, fresh air, or just a new favorite trail, this one’s a hidden gem in West Texas.

Have you hiked it yet? Drop your pics below!👇

Credits 📸:
https://www.alltrails.com/poi/us/texas/lions-head-hill
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/chihuahuan-desert-outside-loop

05/07/2026

Absolutely beautiful!! 💖

In the heart of the world’s largest protected area for dark skies, Alpine is home to some of the best stargazing anywhere! ​

80% of Americans are unable to see the Milky Way at home, so Visit Alpine, Texas, Texas is your chance to see night skies the way they’re meant to look.​

Here’s a local’s tip: reserve your spot at a star party at McDonald Observatory to see stars and galaxies up close with powerful telescopes.​ https://bit.ly/42rdIS2

📸: Kirk Brandau