Hike the Schaeffer Shuffle Trail

The trick to this view is that the park gate closes at 5 pm. Therefore you have two options: Option 1Park at the entrance of the park (outside of the gate) and hike into the park. From there walk along the road to the park entrance ($5 entrance fee) and continue to the first left road where you turn and then walk to the TH of the Upper Sunset Trail and then hike up approxim...

Start your hike from the parking lot and cross an arroyo to start your ascent to the cave. The trail climbs steadily but not difficult to hike. There are benches along the way if you need to rest your legs. The caves are small but interesting and from the caves you have very good views of the state park and the Rio Grande Valley below. There are lots of wildflowers in the summer.

Hike both trails and enjoy some very good views of the Franklin Mountains and the abundance of wildflowers particularly at the end of the summer. In the fall, enjoy the many beautiful grasses. The trails are not too steep  but long and are a pleasure to hike in sections. Bikers would not have any problems biking the whole length of the trails. Here is a map of Franklin Mountains. 

El Paso is a sprawling city that is remarkably split by the Franklin Mountains. By driving up the Transmountain Road you can get a view of city, but stopping at Franklin State Park and climbing the North Franklin Mountain Peak you can top the city! To start, enter Franklin State Park and pay the entry fee ($5). Park at the trailhead (first right into the park). From here head up the rocky minin...

You can start hiking the trail either from the West side or East side. I started on the West side at the Agave Trail. The climb up the mountain is not too hard and offers good views of the mountains. There are some very interesting rock formations on the east side. You can continue the trail to the Tin Mines on the East side.

Start your hike at the West Cottonwood trail parking lot. The ascent on the trail is not too difficult. First the trail will take you to the top of the Sneed Cory with good views of the State Park. After that, continue up the mountainside, which has with lots of sotols and agaves as well as many wildflowers in bloom in the summer. You can turn around and come back on the trail for a 2.2 mile ou...