Exploring the American Southwest

Trip Dates: Monday, January 11th 7am departure through Wednesday, January 20th 8pm return to campus
The American Southwest is calling! This 10-day trip is an opportunity to explore all the national parks in Texas and New Mexico through hiking, camping, and sand sledding. Participants will experience the unique natural formations of White Sands and Carlsbad Caverns as well as spectacular views in Big Bend National Park and Guadalupe Mountains National Park.PHYSICAL CAPABILITY: This trip REQUIRES a base level of physical fitness. Each day includes hours of hiking trails with elevation and living outdoors in hot weather during the day and cold weather at night. Participants must be able to walk continuously at an INCLINE for at least 30 minutes without stopping. If you have questions about the physical demands of the trip, please email hmurphy@uwm.edu.ITINERARY: (subject to change)
Day 1: 12hr drive to a hotel in Tulsa, OK
Day 2: 11hr drive to Oliver Lee Campground, NM
Day 3: Hike and sand sled in White Sands National Park! Planned hikes: Dune Life Nature Trail (1mi/ 1.6km), Playa Trail (0.4mi), Akali Flat Trail (4.5mi/ 7.2km). Spend another night camping in Oliver Lee Campground.
Day 4: Drive 3hrs to Carlsbad Caverns and explore the caverns. Planned afternoon hikes: Devil’s Hall Hike (4.2mi/ 6.7km, 600ft or 60 flights of stairs) OR Frijole/Foothills Trail (3mi/ 4.8km, 633ft or 63 flights of stairs). Camp at Pine Springs Campground.
Day 5: Big hiking day in Guadalupe Mountains National Park! Planned hikes: McKittrick Canyon Trail to Hunter Line Shack (7.1mi/ 11.4km, 450 ft or 45 flights of stairs) OR Guadalupe Peak (8.4mi/ 13.5km, 3,000ft or 300 flights of stairs). Spend another night at Pine Springs Campground.
Day 6: Drive 4.5hrs to Big Bend National Park, TX and walk along the Rio Grande. Camp in Chisos Basin.
Day 7: Rock scramble and hike in Chisos Basin. Planned hikes: Lost Mine Trail (4.8mi/ 7.7km, 1,130ft or 113 flights of stairs) OR the Windows Trail (5.5mi/ 8.8km, 1,000ft or 100 flights of stairs). Spend another night camping in Chisos Basin.
Day 8: Spend the day in the natural hot springs of Big Bend. Last night camping in Chisos Basin!
Day 9: 12hr drive back to a hotel in Tulsa, OK
Day 10: 12hr drive back to UWM

CAMPING EXPERIENCE: Previous camping experience is not required. Outdoor Pursuits trip leaders will teach all outdoor living skills – building a fire, cooking, setting up a tent, Leave No Trace ethics, and more. Everyone is expected to help with all of these outdoor living skills on a daily basis.
HOTELS: 2 hotel rooms to be shared by the group on travel days (see itinerary). Option to share a king size hotel bed or sleep on a sleeping pad on the ground.
CAMPSITES: Rustic tent campsites that include setting up a waterproof tent on the ground with a foam sleeping and sleeping bag. Everyone will share a tent with 1-3 other participants.
BATHROOMS: Rustic campsites commonly have vault toilets, similar to a porta potty, without flush toilets or running water.
SHOWERS: Everyone will have access to showers at the hotels and campgrounds.
DRIVING: This is a road-trip style trip therefore, any participant with a current US driver’s license and experience highway driving will be asked to register as a driver for the trip. There must be 6 authorized drivers on the trip.

The registration fee covers all lodging, group transportation, camping equipment, breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, park entry fees, and trip leader compensation.Registration closes Friday, December 11th at midnight. There will be a mandatory pre-trip meeting held in person at Outdoor Pursuits on December 15th, time TBD. This meeting will cover the packing list, meals, and itinerary in great detail with the trip leaders and all participants.

There is a $300 NONREFUNDABLE deposit option at checkout. Multi-day programs require a nonrefundable deposit to secure a spot. The remainder of the balance is due by December 11th. Participants are encouraged to periodically log into their UREC online account and make smaller payments towards their remaining balance. For more information on our Cancellation and Refund Policy, please visit the Outdoor Pursuits homepage.

For more information or to request accommodations, please email hmurphy@uwm.edu. Trip full? Complete this form to be added to the Trip Waitlist .