Another good hike. Park your car at the Scenic Drive overlook and have someone drop you off at the Ron Coleman Trail. Do that same hike to the FAA towers but continue south on the crest ridge to Scenic Drive. Even better? Do it in the middle of summer!! Good times! Heat exhaustion, rattlesnake dens, and minor rock climbing. Fun Fun Fun
@ only mentioned it because these two hikes seemed to be quite easy for you. But do this crest hike in the winter, not the summer like we did. Never thought there were that many rattlesnakes on top of the mountain?
Long story short it was flattened when developers threatened to put houses all over the mountain, they bladed a road over mundy gap and then all the way up north peak. It caused the creation of the Franklin Mountains State Park in order to save the land.
Hi Reynaldo, yes the trails here aren't too difficult. I was operating on one hour of sleep after driving 8 hours all night to get there when I did this, so I may have been a little tired. But you're right, the trails are good for beginners. The Franklin Mts. are a great place.
Between 1973-75 I walked along those peaks well before there were marked trails. My favorite climb was Sugarloaf Peak North of McKelligon Canyon. At the highest point there's an abandon navigation light base that's been shot up full of holes. At one time that was part of a firing range for the now repurposed Castner training area. I think the light was deactivated and abandon in the late 1950's or early 1960's. I'd climb up there with my Army issue web belt with two canteens, field pack and C-rations. When I got to the top I'd start a little fire and warm up the rations and chow down. Usually it was the beans and meatballs or the beef stew. Never ran across any rattlesnakes, scorpions or tarantulas during my climb but still have a few scars from being poked in the calf by a cactus. Bliss was my one and only duty station..... A Troop, First Squadron, Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. Last assignment was at S-1 as a driver driver for the squadron commander. "Ft. Bliss....... it was hot but it was home!"
pm0501 B, I'd like to get back there and do some of the other peaks in the Franklins, but it probably won't happen for awhile, if ever. That's neat that you got to be up there before the trails. It would be neat to climb a peak with no trail, and then have a trail built to the summit of it later. Are you even allowed to have a fire up there now? I've never been in the military myself, but moved around a bit when I was younger and my dad was in the navy. It would be nice to be stationed in El Paso, at least to me. I spent 3 years in Twentynine Palms, CA when my dad was stationed at the marine base there. It's where my love of the desert began, although it took 30 some years to realize it. It sounds like you had a memorable time at Ft. Bliss. Do you still live around there, or are you far away?
I haven't ever looked into the Franklin Mountains. As much as I've been to West Texas, I think I've only ever been through El Palo once when I was a kid. or maybe never. Definitely putting this range on my to do list. Great views. And really funny impression! Completely changed your voice!
Thanks again. You know who Ronnie Coleman is right? Lives in Arlington (at least the last I heard). Those mountains were neat too, and there were other trails to do as well. I don't know if you can camp along the trails there, but I think you can at the parking lot area. Check out the Sierra Blanca hike and you can see a place where there is camping anywhere, and I think the Organ mountains are open for camping too, but I could be wrong on that.
Zachary Teich I knew he was a body builder but I had no idea what he sounded like. Pretty funny. I don't mind staying in a campground. I'm going to try and make it out there before the end of the year.
Both the Organs and the Franklins are open for camping, but be aware that the Franklin State Park is just adjacent to an old military firing range with lots of unexploded ordinances - especially up near the top so it is not wise to get off the trail. You may have seen the warning signs up there. I have camped at the top, but other than that there is not much space for off trail camping other than the developed area where you started your hike. I personally prefer to camp in the Anthony range - a huge piece of BLM land just south of the Organs.
Yes I did see the warning up there on the trail. I was going to try for that other peak too (Indian peak maybe), but after seeing that I didn't. I wonder if they could clean all that up somehow so that it would be safe.
HeIsSailing As teenagers in the mid seventies, we would hike, camp, and explore in Castner Range. The warning signs about UXOs have always been there, but everyone pretty much ignored them. I have camped and hiked it extensively, literally hundreds of times, without ever running across anything. There are many, many great places to pitch a tent and enjoy the sunrises there. In fact, some of the most beautiful trails and camping areas are in the range. I have never, ever, camped within the the park. Now that I'm back in El Paso, after over twenty years living in Alaska, I've returned to the range being fenced off and people afraid to enter it because of UXOs. Don't be! Your chances are greater to be bitten by a rattlesnake than to come upon a live ordinance there. Take a hike up to Indian Springs, the valley just up from the museums. Excellent hikes up both sides of it! I intend to hike up and camp the range extensively this year, just as I always have. Although a little more incognito. Happy trails!
2:25 - "I'm not sure what peak that is" That peak is known as Anthony's Nose. No trails go up there, but a treacherous and exposed bushwhack to that summit is possible.
Hello HeIsSailing . Yes, I think I realized that afterwards that it si Anthony's Nose. It looks like it would be tough and long to get there, but a good challenge. Have you done it before? Thanks!
I have been all over the Anthony range just to the south, and of course South Franklin Peak countless times, but Anthony's Nose is a little beyond my comfort zone - especially when I am up there alone. I have hiked up there to the point where the cliffs look a little dangerous, then I turn around. Park officials have told me there is a way to get up there, but it is pretty rough going and rarely attempted..
Is there another route up to Anthony's nose, or can you just access it from the south? I think I might try it someday if I have enough time out there. Are there any unexploded ordinances going up that way that you know of? Thanks.
From what I know, I think the southern route is the only way to go. I have hiked around a lot in that area with no fear of UXOs - the firing range was further north. The UXOs are a mixed blessing - that and the creation of the state park are about the only things keeping development off the eastern side of the Franklins.
Hi Will, I don't know what kind of hiking shape he would have been in. I haven't paid attention to what he is up to now. Hopefully all the steroids haven't affected him too much.
@@novicehiker6897 sorry it's hard to tell if someone is serious or not. So many people out there claim to be natural and aren't, and they aren't even close to where Ronny Coleman was. I've been a trainer for almost 17 years.
Mark, I had to do it, since it was the "Ron Coleman" trail. Even though it's named after congressman Coleman, not bodybuilder Coleman, it was too good to pass up. It motivated me to climb faster!
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer no problem! Also if you wanted to cut time and give yourself a bit of a challenge, you could have gone up west cottonwood springs trail up to the ridge, then turning south and continuing until it starts ascending to the peak where it will get rocky (no full on scaling though) and you might need to do some minor climbing, after you reach the top of that stretch you'll have one last hill to get up to the summit. Here you can either continue up the ridge to the top or take the trail and use the switchback to the top. This way is about 1 mile or so. Plus you get some beautiful views.
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer too bad there isnt more video looking at it a little better. I can see it from my house with a spotting scope but nowhere as good as actually going up there. Last time i tried going up that way it took around 4 hrs then i had to turn back as the sun was setting. Good thing i had a small flashlight for that moonless night. So dark! My goal in 2019 is indian peak to get better video and actually take some time to appreciate that beacon hut and view up there using some 360 degree cams.
hahahahaha I like the imitation ...You did took the easy switched back to the top :)There is another way to get up to North Franklin Peak if you want a challenging climb.
An hour and 27 minutes up? Holy crap I guess I'm out of shape. With stopping here and there for video recording and some resting it took me 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Hi Mike, I thought it was longer but I can't remember what I said in the video. Sometimes I go too fast and don't enjoy the views enough, but I was also trying to get a lot done that day. I hope you had a good hike!
Hi Fred, I started pretty early. I know I got there when it was still dark, slept a little, and then waited for the park attendant to open up. Maybe I started around 6 or so.
Where do you reside? I was looking for maybe a video on the Indian Peak Trail here in El Paso when I stumbled across your videos. It's great stuff, a good amount of hikes I've done as well. Keep it up! Maybe we'll cross paths on hikes, if we haven't already.
Ricky, thank you. It is a beautiful area there in El Paso, and I've really enjoyed the brief time I've spent hiking the Franklin Mts., and the views of them whenever I drive by!
Another good hike. Park your car at the Scenic Drive overlook and have someone drop you off at the Ron Coleman Trail. Do that same hike to the FAA towers but continue south on the crest ridge to Scenic Drive. Even better? Do it in the middle of summer!! Good times! Heat exhaustion, rattlesnake dens, and minor rock climbing. Fun Fun Fun
Hi John, thanks for the information.
@ only mentioned it because these two hikes seemed to be quite easy for you. But do this crest hike in the winter, not the summer like we did. Never thought there were that many rattlesnakes on top of the mountain?
Long story short it was flattened when developers threatened to put houses all over the mountain, they bladed a road over mundy gap and then all the way up north peak. It caused the creation of the Franklin Mountains State Park in order to save the land.
Hello, thank you for the information.
I find the Franklin mts to be more like beginner trails.
Hi Reynaldo, yes the trails here aren't too difficult. I was operating on one hour of sleep after driving 8 hours all night to get there when I did this, so I may have been a little tired. But you're right, the trails are good for beginners. The Franklin Mts. are a great place.
Between 1973-75 I walked along those peaks well before there were marked trails. My favorite climb was Sugarloaf Peak North of McKelligon Canyon. At the highest point there's an abandon navigation light base that's been shot up full of holes. At one time that was part of a firing range for the now repurposed Castner training area. I think the light was deactivated and abandon in the late 1950's or early 1960's. I'd climb up there with my Army issue web belt with two canteens, field pack and C-rations. When I got to the top I'd start a little fire and warm up the rations and chow down. Usually it was the beans and meatballs or the beef stew. Never ran across any rattlesnakes, scorpions or tarantulas during my climb but still have a few scars from being poked in the calf by a cactus. Bliss was my one and only duty station..... A Troop, First Squadron, Third Armored Cavalry Regiment. Last assignment was at S-1 as a driver driver for the squadron commander.
"Ft. Bliss....... it was hot but it was home!"
pm0501 B, I'd like to get back there and do some of the other peaks in the Franklins, but it probably won't happen for awhile, if ever. That's neat that you got to be up there before the trails. It would be neat to climb a peak with no trail, and then have a trail built to the summit of it later. Are you even allowed to have a fire up there now? I've never been in the military myself, but moved around a bit when I was younger and my dad was in the navy. It would be nice to be stationed in El Paso, at least to me. I spent 3 years in Twentynine Palms, CA when my dad was stationed at the marine base there. It's where my love of the desert began, although it took 30 some years to realize it. It sounds like you had a memorable time at Ft. Bliss. Do you still live around there, or are you far away?
I haven't ever looked into the Franklin Mountains. As much as I've been to West Texas, I think I've only ever been through El Palo once when I was a kid. or maybe never. Definitely putting this range on my to do list. Great views. And really funny impression! Completely changed your voice!
Thanks again. You know who Ronnie Coleman is right? Lives in Arlington (at least the last I heard). Those mountains were neat too, and there were other trails to do as well. I don't know if you can camp along the trails there, but I think you can at the parking lot area. Check out the Sierra Blanca hike and you can see a place where there is camping anywhere, and I think the Organ mountains are open for camping too, but I could be wrong on that.
Zachary Teich I knew he was a body builder but I had no idea what he sounded like. Pretty funny. I don't mind staying in a campground. I'm going to try and make it out there before the end of the year.
Both the Organs and the Franklins are open for camping, but be aware that the Franklin State Park is just adjacent to an old military firing range with lots of unexploded ordinances - especially up near the top so it is not wise to get off the trail. You may have seen the warning signs up there. I have camped at the top, but other than that there is not much space for off trail camping other than the developed area where you started your hike. I personally prefer to camp in the Anthony range - a huge piece of BLM land just south of the Organs.
Yes I did see the warning up there on the trail. I was going to try for that other peak too (Indian peak maybe), but after seeing that I didn't. I wonder if they could clean all that up somehow so that it would be safe.
HeIsSailing As teenagers in the mid seventies, we would hike, camp, and explore in Castner Range. The warning signs about UXOs have always been there, but everyone pretty much ignored them. I have camped and hiked it extensively, literally hundreds of times, without ever running across anything. There are many, many great places to pitch a tent and enjoy the sunrises there. In fact, some of the most beautiful trails and camping areas are in the range. I have never, ever, camped within the the park.
Now that I'm back in El Paso, after over twenty years living in Alaska, I've returned to the range being fenced off and people afraid to enter it because of UXOs. Don't be! Your chances are greater to be bitten by a rattlesnake than to come upon a live ordinance there. Take a hike up to Indian Springs, the valley just up from the museums. Excellent hikes up both sides of it!
I intend to hike up and camp the range extensively this year, just as I always have. Although a little more incognito. Happy trails!
2:25 - "I'm not sure what peak that is" That peak is known as Anthony's Nose. No trails go up there, but a treacherous and exposed bushwhack to that summit is possible.
Hello HeIsSailing . Yes, I think I realized that afterwards that it si Anthony's Nose. It looks like it would be tough and long to get there, but a good challenge. Have you done it before? Thanks!
I have been all over the Anthony range just to the south, and of course South Franklin Peak countless times, but Anthony's Nose is a little beyond my comfort zone - especially when I am up there alone. I have hiked up there to the point where the cliffs look a little dangerous, then I turn around. Park officials have told me there is a way to get up there, but it is pretty rough going and rarely attempted..
Is there another route up to Anthony's nose, or can you just access it from the south? I think I might try it someday if I have enough time out there. Are there any unexploded ordinances going up that way that you know of? Thanks.
From what I know, I think the southern route is the only way to go. I have hiked around a lot in that area with no fear of UXOs - the firing range was further north. The UXOs are a mixed blessing - that and the creation of the state park are about the only things keeping development off the eastern side of the Franklins.
“Ain’t nothin but a stair master” well said lmao. I wonder how fast Ronnie himself could have done this!
Hi Will, I don't know what kind of hiking shape he would have been in. I haven't paid attention to what he is up to now. Hopefully all the steroids haven't affected him too much.
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer nah he was natty 4 life! He trained hard but not smart so he is using crutches for the rest of his life basically
@@novicehiker6897 it is impossible to be the way he was naturally.
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer lol I know. I was joking. He did have some incredible genetics tho. How long have you been a personal trainer?
@@novicehiker6897 sorry it's hard to tell if someone is serious or not. So many people out there claim to be natural and aren't, and they aren't even close to where Ronny Coleman was. I've been a trainer for almost 17 years.
I live near there
Hi Fernando, you have a nice view then!
OMG you came out of your usual character and imitated Ron Coleman, too too funny!
Mark, I had to do it, since it was the "Ron Coleman" trail. Even though it's named after congressman Coleman, not bodybuilder Coleman, it was too good to pass up. It motivated me to climb faster!
Yes the summit was flattened out.
Hi Nick, thanks for the information. I thought it may have been. Thanks for watching.
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer no problem! Also if you wanted to cut time and give yourself a bit of a challenge, you could have gone up west cottonwood springs trail up to the ridge, then turning south and continuing until it starts ascending to the peak where it will get rocky (no full on scaling though) and you might need to do some minor climbing, after you reach the top of that stretch you'll have one last hill to get up to the summit. Here you can either continue up the ridge to the top or take the trail and use the switchback to the top. This way is about 1 mile or so. Plus you get some beautiful views.
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer oh and one more thing. That thing at the top is a HAM radio repeater.
If I ever do it again I can try that way. Thanks for the information.
Thanks again. It seems like its been there a long time.
That silver painted pedestal is a ham radio repeater or at least it was 10 years ago.
Hi pm0501 B, thanks for the info about that. It seems like a pretty old piece of equipment.
@@ZacharyTeich-HikingTrainer too bad there isnt more video looking at it a little better. I can see it from my house with a spotting scope but nowhere as good as actually going up there. Last time i tried going up that way it took around 4 hrs then i had to turn back as the sun was setting. Good thing i had a small flashlight for that moonless night. So dark! My goal in 2019 is indian peak to get better video and actually take some time to appreciate that beacon hut and view up there using some 360 degree cams.
hahahahaha I like the imitation ...You did took the easy switched back to the top :)There is another way to get up to North Franklin Peak if you want a challenging climb.
Hi FDG, thank you. I heard that there is another way up much later after I did this hike. If you took it I hope it was fun.
Did you see the caves? There are two at the top
Hi James, no I didn't know they were there/ didn't notice them. Are they close to the trail?
An hour and 27 minutes up? Holy crap I guess I'm out of shape. With stopping here and there for video recording and some resting it took me 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Hi Mike, I thought it was longer but I can't remember what I said in the video. Sometimes I go too fast and don't enjoy the views enough, but I was also trying to get a lot done that day. I hope you had a good hike!
Yeah it took me way longer than 1:27 too lol
what time was it when you where at north mount
Hi Fred, I started pretty early. I know I got there when it was still dark, slept a little, and then waited for the park attendant to open up. Maybe I started around 6 or so.
Where do you reside? I was looking for maybe a video on the Indian Peak Trail here in El Paso when I stumbled across your videos. It's great stuff, a good amount of hikes I've done as well. Keep it up! Maybe we'll cross paths on hikes, if we haven't already.
Hi Ivan, I live close to Austin. Thank you, and the Franklins are definitely a great place.
Nice
Ricky, thank you. It is a beautiful area there in El Paso, and I've really enjoyed the brief time I've spent hiking the Franklin Mts., and the views of them whenever I drive by!
currently on the west coast and watching your videos makes me more homesick.....thanks for sharing.
You're welcome! I enjoy going to that area very much and wish I lived closer! Thank you!
Thanks for uploading! I grew up in El Paso, so I like to look up videos every once and a while when I'm homesick.
You're welcome! I like that area, and I really enjoyed the Franklin hikes. Hopefully you can make it back for a visit soon.
I grew up in El Paso, too. Moved when I was 17 (1990) to the Northeast and really miss it. Homesick brought me here, too. Great video! Thanks!
Hi Thomas, thank you! Yeah, I think I'd miss it too if I moved to the northeast. I'm from PA, now in Austin, and hoping to move further west soon.