EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Just because the weather has been hitting triple-digits on most days, doesn’t mean you can’t go out and enjoy yourself at Franklin Mountains State Park.
Come out for a visit earlier in the day, take advantage of earlier gate hours at the park’s most popular site — the Tom Mays Unit — and dial back your activity level, especially during the hottest parts of the day, said Lydia Pagel, the interpretive ranger at Franklin Mountains State Park.
“We discourage people from coming out to the park to do long hikes and more of the strenuous stuff in the summer,” Pagel said. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything.”
Photos by Dave Burge/KTSM
Franklin Mountains State Park is one of the largest urban wilderness areas in the world and it is inside the El Paso city limits.
It is 27,000 acres of protected wilderness and contains 150 miles of trails, ranging from easy to strenuous.
Now until September, the Tom Mays Unit — the park’s most accessible part located off Transmountain Road on the West Side — opens up at 6:30 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
That allows you to check out the bird blinds in that part of the park, Pagel said. The birds tend to be more active earlier in the day before it gets too hot, she said.
You can also get a head start on your hike, before the day gets too hot.
The Tom Mays Unit also has picnic sites with shade covers, which are ideal for a family outing this time of year.
“What we encourage are some of the early hikes, taking advantage of some of the earlier times of the day,” Pagel said. “We also have picnic sites where you can come and have a picnic without a lot of long-distance walking or strenuous activity.”
Picnic sites at the park also have fire rings and grills; just make sure you are not in a campsite that has been reserved, Pagel said.
If you do want to take a hike at Franklin Mountains State Park, there are some things you can do to make sure you stay safe.
Start off your visit by stopping by the new visitors center at the Tom Mays Unit.
“If you are not sure what you want to do yet, we can definitely recommend some options as well as give you maps, all that kind of stuff,” Pagel said.
Stopping by the visitors center also lets the rangers and park staff know that you are visiting and where you plan to go during your stay, she said.
“The main thing I tell folks is to be prepared before you go (on a hike),” Pagel said. “Do your research, know what hike you are going to do, what trail you are going to be on and make sure you bring enough water.
“That is the big thing — water, water, water,” Pagel said.
Some visitors “underestimate” just how hot it can get in the park on a summer day, Pagel said.
“So what often happens with a lot of these mountain rescues you see is dehydration, heat exhaustion. It is just a combination of those things, plus getting lost out there,” she said.
Also bring along some snacks that can help replenish electrolytes and make sure you tell someone where you are going.
“We recommend hiking with a buddy,” Pagel said. “Just in case something happens, you have someone to help you out.”
Sadly, dogs have died out in the park because their owners weren’t properly prepared, Pagel said.
“You have to remember: We have these nice, thick hiking boots that give us protection from the rocks,” Pagel said. “Most of the time our pets are out there with just their paws.
“If it is 100 degrees in the air, it can be much higher than that on some of our rock surfaces,” Pagel said.
A rule to guide you with your pet: Take your hand and press it flat against the surface you are walking on. If it is uncomfortable to keep your hand there, flat against the surface for 5 seconds, it is too hot for your pet to be hiking with you, Pagel said.
If you do bring your dog on a hike, start early and make sure you are giving them water too.
“They can’t say, ‘I’m thirsty,'” Pagel said. “Make sure you are offering them water regularly.”
Plan a visit
*Tom Mays Unit of Franklin Mountains State Park is the most popular and accessible part of the park. It is located off Transmountain Road on El Paso’s Westside.
*Gates open: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Visitors center opens 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday through Sunday. If you arrive at 6:30 on the weekend, make sure you get your day pass online and display it in your car.
*Park will be open regular hours on July Fourth.
*Fees are: $5 per adult for day use; children 12 and younger free.
*A free annual pass is available for active-duty servicemembers. All you need to do is bring your military ID to the visitors center.
*Click here to learn more.
