Celebration of Our Mountains

This is a moderately difficult 1.3-mile hike and is excellent for families, beginner hikers, or geology and wildlife enthusiasts.

We’ll encounter some elevation gains, with some short steep inclines/declines, a few rocky/rough sections, and great vistas as we walk along the ridgeline.

After getting your entrance permit, meet at the end loop parking area.

Bring: water, water, water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, sun protection (sun screen, hat, sun glasses) and comfortable clothes.

Fee: $5.00 per adult 13 years of age and older, $0.00 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children between the ages of 5 and 12. Or purchase your entrance ahead of time at texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com

This is a 3-4 hour hike to explore the nightlife of the desert.

Bring good hiking shoes, a flashlight, a camera to document your experience, and lots of curiosity!

Join us to discover the wonders of nightlife with the nature!

Make sure you get your entrance permit at the State Park before hand!

No reservations needed, just get your park entrance fee and you’re good to go!

Join your park ranger on an exploration of an old mine shaft in the Franklin's.

We will meet at the West Cottonwood Springs Trailhead in the Tom Mays unit of Franklin Mountains State Park.

Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, and comfortable clothes.

Optional: climbing/biking helmet or hardhat, hiking stick, camera, and a map.

Fee: $8.00 per adult 13 years of age and older, $3.00 for Texas State Park Pass holders, and $1.00 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Payment can be made at the Visitor Center.

Space is limited, so register today!

Join your park ranger turned turn-of-the-century guide on a historical exploration of an old mine shaft in the Franklin’s.
We will meet at the West Cottonwood Springs Trailhead in the Tom Mays unit of Franklin Mountains State Park.

Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, and comfortable clothes. If you are sensitive to oil lamp smoke, a face mask is highly encouraged.

Optional: climbing/biking helmet or hardhat, hiking stick, camera, and a map.

Fee: $8.00 per adult 13 years of age and older, $3.00 for Texas State Park Pass holders, and $1.00 for children between the ages of 5 and 12. Payment can be made at the Visitor Center.

Space is limited, so register today!

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department invites you to join us this summer to learn about desert bighorn sheep!

TPWD proposes to restore desert bighorn sheep to the Franklin Mountains by releasing them onto Franklin Mountains State Park, and they would like to invite the greater El Paso community to be engaged in these restoration efforts.

They will host a series of educational events to provide information about the history, status, challenges, and importance of the Franklin Mountains for the future of desert bighorn sheep restoration efforts in Texas.
Register today!

Your support is always welcomed!

Our mission is to educate, explore, and inspire. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor recreation and educational experiences through guided field trips that delve into the rich natural and human history of our region. Our three pillars, educate, explore, and inspire, guide us in our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for our mountains and the world around us.

Donate at: https://celebrationofourmountains.squarespace.com/checkout/donate?donatePageId=5ab4276a6d2a7301c7d91294

Stay in the loop with our monthly updates by subscribing to our newsletter!
Find more information at: https://celebrationofourmountains.squarespace.com

Mark your calendars for every last Thursday of the month!
Ready to connect and explore? Join us for our monthly social at Ardovinos Desert Crossing. 🗓️🌵 Learn about upcoming field trips and meet our Leaders.

This past Friday Celebration of Our Mountains was invited to be the Star of the Match at the Locomotive FC match⭐️. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and made it a memorable day. Your support helps us continue our mission to preserve and promote the majestic landscapes we all love. 🌄

A view that speaks louder than words 🏞️

Photo credit:

Beautiful photo of El Paso behind the Franklin Mountains

Photo credit:

Did you know of the variety of plants located in the Chihuahuan Desert?

We’ll show you some that we found!

Which one do you like the most?

Come explore the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert with other women, led by a female ranger or volunteer.

This hike is a moderate 1.5 miles. It begins with a gradual incline through a well maintained switchback trail to wide open vistas to the west. The return trip travels down over screen, or rubble, proving to be challenging for some.

Visit our calendar for more information: celebmtns.org

The Asombro Institute for Science Education is a nonprofit dedicated to increasing natural science literacy through engaging, place-based education.

Their programs take place in classrooms, schoolyards, and at our outdoor classroom, the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park north of Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Visit their page to know more about them!
Asombro.org

Hands-on booths will be themed around New Mexican reptiles in need of conservation and awareness.

Participants will also have an opportunity to meet herpetologists, practice lizard research techniques, and collect up to three trading cards highlighting reptile species in need of conservation.

Visit our calendar for more information!

Join a Park Ranger or volunteer guides for a hike out to the El Paso Tin Mines, the remains of a mining operation from the early 1900s.

This is a moderate to difficult hike of 6 miles. The trail is a well-marked old jeep road with a gentle but steady climb for about 3 miles until you arrive at the mines.

You can explore two of the old shafts and the ruins of the smelter before heading back the way you came.

Bring: water, water, water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, sun protection (sun screen, hat, sun glasses) and comfortable clothes.

Meeting location: Chuck Heinrich Memorial Park off of Officer Andrew Barcena Dr.
Fee: $5.00 per adult 13 years of age and older, $0.00 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children between the ages of 5 and 12. Please bring a check or exact change, as the Ranger or volunteers guiding the hike will be unable to make change. Or purchase your entrance ahead of time at texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com

Reservation required by calling the park at 915 444 9100

Challenge yourself against some of the most difficult hikes in the Franklin Mountains.
The Franklin Mountains is a rugged playground for those looking to challenge themselves. This month we will be taking this challenge in the southern section of the park at the Thousand Steps trail.

Length: 4 miles

Trail Difficulty: Strenuous. This is a steep and rugged hike up to the B-36 crash site overlook and back. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water for this one!

Bring: water, water, water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, sun protection (sun screen, hat, sun glasses) and comfortable clothes.

Meeting location: The Thousand Steps trailhead. Park in the gravel parking area at the end of North Stanton Street.
Fee: $5.00 per adult 13 years of age and older, $0.00 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children between the ages of 5 and 12. Please bring a check or exact change, as the Ranger or volunteers guiding the hike will be unable to make change. Or purchase your entrance ahead of time at texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com

Reservation required by calling the park at 915 444 9100

Got an event to share? We're all ears! Whether it's a hike, excursion, outdoor adventure, or educational activity, drop us a message and let us know all about it. We're here to help spread the word!

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A beautiful panoramic view from our Franklin Mountains.

Photo taken by .

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Find more information at: celebmnts.org

Thank you all of those who joined our April social!🥾

If you couldn’t make it to this one, stay tuned for our May social or message us your email to be included in our monthly newsletter!

And thank you Ardovino's Desert Crossing for the wonderful service!

A throwback to 2016 during a field trip to Bishop’s Cap with the UTEP Geology Club!

Get a glimpse of our amazing Boot Heel field trip! 🥾

Stay updated with our calendar to catch more thrilling events like this!

Chasing sunsets and scaling summits in the land of the Franklin Mountains 🌅🏔️

Photo credit by

Today we celebrate our home, the earth, where our beautiful mountains live.
Our mission is to educate, explore, and inspire. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to providing outdoor recreation and educational experiences through guided field trips that delve into the rich natural and human history of our region. Our three pillars, educate, explore, and inspire, guide us in our commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for our mountains and the world around us.

Join a park ranger on a guided hike through the Western foothills of the Franklin Mountains.

This hike is an easy 0.75 mile hike. This short distance trail meanders through arroyos and hills to give a great introduction to desert plants and wildlife for kids, beginner hikers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike. The bird blind at the beginning of the trail is always a good spot for nature viewing!

Reservations required; to reserve your spot, call the office at (915) 444-9121.

Bring: water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, and comfortable clothes.
Optional: binoculars, hiking stick, camera, and a map.

Meeting location: The Nature Walk trailhead.

Fee: $5 for adults 13 years old and up; $0 for Texas State Park Pass holders and children 12 and under.

No plans next Saturday? Join the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on their dinosaur discovering field trip! 🦕 🦖

It’s an easy and free fieldtrip🏞️