Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, and an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna. Plus, it’s kinda cool to see.

We were going to hike the Guadalupe Peak – the highest peak in Texas at 8,751 ft. – but it is a strenuous hike and with the high winds; we decided to pass this time.

Instead we took our new to us 4×4 Ram 1500 truck to Williams Ranch Road, a very bumpy 7.25 mile drive over what used to be the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Line. It is surprising the mail ever got delivered and the west explored as it was an incredibly jarring drive.

Next stop will be Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona.