Living Here - Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park

 

[As with other museums and parks, I am not certain as to the current status of the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Park - due to the pandemic.  It is on the western slopes of the Organ Mountains, east of I-25 and north of U.S. Hwy 70 in the Las Cruces, NM area.] 

But if access is available, this Las Cruces site is a good starting point from the West, for learning about this particular desert and how it is different from the adjacent Sonoran Desert, to the west.  If one is used to the greenery of the Eastern United States a first-time visit to El Paso/Las Cruces is a "nature shock" and it takes a while to learn to appreciate the stark beauty of this harsh environment.  There is beauty here, it just takes some training and acclimation to learn to appreciate it.

In El Paso, Keystone Heritage Park would be another important resource.  On the eastern slopes of the Franklin Mountains is the El Paso Museum of Archeology Wilderness Park.  [Again, please check the website for schedules, as all city museums and parks seem to be closed due to the pandemic.]  When I visited

Of note: The Chihuahuan Desert is the largest of the four North American Temperate Deserts.  With less development of the slopes of the Organ Mountains (than of the nearby Franklin Mountains) it is a better place to see some of the factors involving ecosystem development and location (in my humble opinion).

Additional learning resources are available through the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center in the Davis Mountains.  Especially if traveling from the East on I-10 and I-20.

As a former 14-year-long resident of the El Paso area (1977-1991), before venturing out of either city, do some research to inquire about "desert safety" and certain areas to avoid, due to current "border issues". 

There are places I used to go - 30 years ago - by myself that now, I would either not go at all or go armed with an armed buddy.  These are south and west of I-10, in relative proximity to the International Border.  This includes area near Aden Crater, Kilbournes Hole, and other volcanic features.