Day Trip to Van Horn 🥾 (FULL EPISODE) S4 E6

THROWBACK EPISODE - This episode originally aired on PBS on November 15, 2012. Some of the locations may have changed. Check thedaytripper.com for the most up-to-date information.
While there are hundreds of great towns in Texas, there is only ONE “top” and it sits about 60 north of the town of Van Horn inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Take a trip here and you'll find that everything about Van Horn -- from the decades of history to the authentic Mexican food -- is truly the tops.
Guadalupe Peak sits 8,749 feet in the sky. A trip to the top covers approximately 8.4 miles, takes 6-8 hours to hike and includes 3,000 feet of elevation gain. Whew! But for those willing to make the hike, it’s the ultimate trek in Texas. My advice is to bring lots of water, check into the visitor’s center for updated trail information, and enjoy the journey. It is amazing! For those who can’t make this hike, the park has a number of other places to explore, including some trails that are even handicap-accessible.
Hiking certainly works up an appetite, and I recommend a plate of West Texas Tex Mex from Chuy’s Restaurant. Chuy’s is known for its food, but also because NFL Hall-of-Famer John Madden put it on his epic “Haul of Fame” list as one of the best places to stop for road trip grub. Enjoy!
Sadly, the other restaraunt we featured on our episode, Pappa’s Pantry, is now closed. But if you’re in the mood for a hearty steak after your hardcore hike, then you’re in luck. The Van Horn Cattle Company has the kind of comfort food you need after a long day of trippin’.
Before or after your hike (if you have the energy) make sure to explore the town of Van Horn. The best place to dig into its history of cattle, mining and railroads is the Clark Hotel Museum, a quirky museum full of artifacts and knick-knacks that isn’t to be missed. Walk upstairs if you are brave enough…
The other place to learn a bit of history is by visiting Hotel El Capitan, built in the 1930’s and designed by famed architect Henry Trost. This is, by far, my favorite place to stay before or after a massive hiking trip.
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[@bernar9064]

I’ve been to in Van Horn from May to July 2018 as part of a student exchange program. worked at Hampton Inn as a maid, it was cool in its own way, nostalgia) greetings from Russia🥰

[@PCBill0622]

Thanks for acknowledging our Creator and His majesty.

[@kc32224]

Yes! That was truly so beautiful! I got a bit teary eyed. It should be quoted on a plaque it was that beautiful haha

[@TinyHouseHomestead]

Oooooooo, i am soooo going todo that PEAK! 😱😁🤪👍👍🇺🇸

[@ednakrueger8381]

I will say that there’s a great hike to take in late October/early November at the Guadalupe mountains and that is the one to Pratt Cabin. I may spelled it wrong. Hike there about that time and see beautiful fall colors on the trees around that area. Our wine group used to hike there and have tastings of wine and food for any that came by. We don’t do anymore, most of us to old now to hike like that. But was fun while we did it.

[@Sublime_37]

This is my second time to Van Horn, from stopping here en route to Phoenix and back. And it’s sad to see the breakfast place is closed.

[@TheDaytripper]

Oh man. Sad indeed.

[@armandvillalobos2654]

I am from Van Horn 💪 thanks for the episode

[@sgholt]

I guess in west Texas they lean towards the New Mexico style Huevos Rancheros...its all good :)

[@TheDaytripper]

Indeed they do.

[@ednakrueger8381]

I eat at Chuy’s about a year ago. Not the same as it was in the past. Was sad. Hardly anyone there. In years past it was always busy and the food very good. Don’t remember what I had but it was so so.

[@TheDaytripper]

Dang. That place was always so solid.

[@ednakrueger8381]

@@TheDaytripper I know!! Was always good food. It was depressing when I went there last time. Seemed about a year ago. Our family always stopped there on way to El Paso. Was tradition

[@ednakrueger8381]

@@TheDaytripper I know!! Was always good food. It was depressing when I went there last time. Seemed about a year ago. Our family always stopped there on way to El Paso. Was tradition.

[@Gpacharlie]

I grew up with Madrone trees in Western Washington. They are really cool trees. Unfortunately they had a blight and most of them died. Very cool to see a Madrone (Madrona) tree in Texas.

[@randalluthe4792]

Been stopping at Chuy's on road trips since the late 90's. I will always stop there anytime I'm heading East or West. I haven't been to Guadelupe Mtns Nat. Park yet, but definitely on my list.

[@kennycraven2648]

Hotel Capitan is a nice place. Love the Trost architectural design and hotels in El Paso, Marfa, etc.

[@ByTheLightOfABurningDonkey]

I live in NM. Carlsbad specifically. Once my mom took my brother school shopping in El Paso. Her vehicle got stuck in 4wd and broke down so we had to go to El Paso and tow her vehicle back, thing is, the tower was way lighter and would not have made it through the pass so we had to detour to get home and go through Van Horn to avoid it coming home from the other end through Pecos etc. longest six hours of my twenties that's for sure lol

[@rafaelluna3818]

Great episode. I hiked the summit trail and stopped in at El Capitan hotel. Next time you take a trip on I-10 west stop by Balmorhea State Park to cool off and take a break. I recommend.

[@TexasTimelapse]

Why did you blur out the summit marker on Guadalupe Peak? I can't find anything online that makes it offensive. Edit: It must be the American Airlines advertisement. 🤣

[@dirkboogaard1680]

I am checking the comments for the same reason?

[@chrisreeves8037]

Listen for "norcos," college buddies from the town, in the 70's, had a unique way to pass a Saturday night. They would drive out into the countryside down a unpaved road. Next they would park on the point of a hill which rose above the valley floor. The fuzzy lowland could be seen on a full moon night. All would be quiet except for the whispering desert air, and the occasional "psst' from the opening beer bottle. They sat in the car with windows down like a hunter on the stalk. On rare occasion, they would be rewarded with the sound of a small plane engine cutting out as it glided to a landing 10 miles distant. This would be followed by the distant roar of the plane as it took back to the air only minutes after it had touched down. Sometimes in the full moon, they said, you could get a glimpse of the small craft as moonlight reflected off some shiny metal. It is said by geographers that a line stretching from the Big Bend to North Dakota holds 1% of the nations population. This means recreating conventional wisdom. This one thing that the rest of the nation will not understand. Is the kiss of the warm dry desert air of the early summertime evening underneath a heaven of sparkling night time stars which stretch to eternity. Well is this "nuts?" On the east coast, I heard of watching the flowers grow. So I guess we can listen to the wind as it wafts across the chihuahuan desert.

[@larrybingham3202]

Paul ran off and Chuys is closed. Heart breaking

[@idintvote4him998]

Actually you can get red or green huevos rancheros almost anywhere

[@idintvote4him998]

Uh, ok that's 2 things you've said wrong: there ate a lot more than 2 national parks in Texas

[@kevincay9297]

Whatchew talkin' 'bout Willis? Only 2 National Parks in Texas? What about PINS? (Padre Island National Seashore) That's also a National Park...

[@TheDaytripper]

National Seashore. It's part of the NPS, but not the top level.

[@kevincay9297]

@@TheDaytripper It says it's a National Park created by Congress in 1962?

[@TheDaytripper]

@@kevincay9297 it's a National Park by association. Check out our National Parks Road Trip episode. I think you'll like it. There are also National Monuments and Preserves and Historic Sites. All part of NPS but not designated the top level "Parks"

[@kevincay9297]

@@TheDaytripper Ohhhhh...I never knew there were different designations within the NPS..Thanks for the info..

[@goodsamaritan5190]

the SAUSS

[@raylowe3324]

A reef at that elevation. That sure sounds like Noah's flood.

[@idintvote4him998]

Stacked enchiladas are not a"west Texas thing;" that's the way they're done in New Mexico

[@1995texasaggie]

Brandon Herrera - Republican for Texas District 23 - If it's true that Tony Gonzalez has been voting with the Biden Administration and is similar to John Cornyn on 2nd Amendment issues......it's time to REPLACE Gonzalez. Attention is needed on this West Texas race.

[@skarfacemendoza6741]

Anyone else look this place up because you pkayed Red Dead Redemption😂

[@coolwip32]

Soooooo they don’t know that John Madden died in 2021. Since this video is only 6mo old….

[@BenStojack]

Check the description. This originally aired on PBS in 2012

[@erikacosta5400]

I’ve only ever had them with green sauce since a child