The ranger at Carlsbad Caverns said that we would be better off hiking at Guadelupe Mountains. We didn’t disagree but we wanted some hiking at the lower altitude of the canyon park first
What he didn’t tell us and we did not known was that the Dog Canyon Fire had closed many of the the trailheads. That left us with only one trail: Devil’s Hall.
When we arrived trailhead parking was full adding another 0.3 miles of up hill to our hike in.
With the elevation topping out at over 6,100 ft, we took it easy so they we were not breathing too hard.
Just before dropping into the river bend stopped to talk to a couple heading back. While at the trail junction, we saw a family coming down the hill. Mom had their kid in a backpack. Dad was trailing behind and did not look good.
The couple we were talking to recognized that he was dehydrated with heat stroke. Mr Ram had water to spare and filled the hikers water bottle up several times.
After the water and some salty chips he looked better and was ready to head down. The other couple left with them.
As we continue on we were getting tired. We asked a number of down hikers how far was it the top rack time we received the same answer: about a half mile. After a half mile of it’s only a half mile we decided to turn around.
We enjoyed great views and were glad to be in the right place at the right time to help out a fellow hiker.
