Out West there are countless spots with Devil in the name, and maybe the devil makes us do it, but we just can’t resist the temptation. But the trek to Devil’s Hall nearly caused us to meet our maker…
We are not morning people. Hiking party after hiking party from the crack of dawn made staccato our morning sleep in Pine Springs campground.
We gave up zzz’s to see what the fuss was about and were instantly invigorated by the sight of Guadalupe Mountains from our RV bedroom window.
Pine Springs RV Lot Highlights:
$7.50 for Senior /Access passholders
Dry dock only
12 quiet hours
That trailhead called to us. We figured we could survive a later start thanks to spring temperatures, so we decided to explore.
Park brochures showed a few trails diverged a ways from the trailhead. We thought we would only go out and back from the intersection where the fittest hikers split off to climb Mount Guadalupe.
We made it to the trail split, easy peasy.
We think some sort of bromeliad? 
Watch your step. This cutie sprouted in the middle of the trail. 
The first mile of trail meanders West through desert scrub. 
And the trail split should be around that bend. 
From afar, I called this formation sleeping face. 
South side of trail selfie with yucca spike growing out of my brain. Thanks Bill. 
Dinner and a date? Possibly a pinacate or stink bug. RUN! 
Trail continues to ascend into Guadalupe back country as vegetation becomes more lush.
We regrouped and decided to continue to the Devil’s Hall — a two-mile hike out and back. Two miles, we thought, no problem.
Hearing that devil call us, we simply did not multiply that two times two. We left with only about a liter of water apiece…and no snacks.
–tip: TWO out AND back = FOUR
The trail wound along the canyon ridge but we soon followed it down a slightly treacherous boulder to boulder climb down into a dry creek bed.
From there we stepped rock-to-rock for what seemed ages. Fortunately an interesting variety of trees and scrub and cliffs combined to provide just enough shade.
Rock hop begins. Air Force training over the Park left lots of sky trails. 
Closer to this feature now, I zoom with the Hasselblad moto mod to see if anything lurks in the crevices. 
Yucca blooms in the first part of the hike, still in desert zone. 
In the creek we pause to selfie by a gator. 
Not a gator, really, but an Alligator Juniper. 
But wait, there’s more? 
And we reach the cliffs but still no devil… 
Now past the cliffs, where on earth is the devil? 
Now we must be close.
The rocky stream bed continued up and up, and rock to rock we went. Previous hikers left rock stacks to mark the best way around clusters of debris.
Group after group of early birds returning from the Devil’s Hall seemed to tell us we were getting further away. We rationed water and debated returning but that devil drew us onward.
After what seemed a lifetime of hard labor, we arrived at a terraced area and realized at last we were nearing. The climb up this almost brick looking wall was steep, and tricky. I dreaded going down that wall on the way back.
The devil’s in the details here. 
Up from that first bit of layered steps and around the Devil’s horns… 
Oh tenacious life, we zoom lensed to this tiny barrell succulent at least 20 feet above. 
Finally the entrance to the Devil’s hall! 
The devil gets his due for this masonry handiwork. 
Clenched teeth of determination. The out part done, next up? Back. 
A quick look at what lies beyond Devil’s Hall 
Looking back the way we arrived — just above the stair ledge climb. 
Maple whirleys evidence the Riparian zone 
Another rocky denizen. No face means we can’t put a name on this morning bloomer. 
After hellish hours back, RVoyager is a sight for sore legs.
Finally around the corner we entered the Devil’s Hall. Like most great temptations, it was better as a thought than in reality. An interesting force of water spot, but maybe not worth the Herculean effort to get there.
As for the two miles back. Holy hell! But the effort sure did make the ham and cheese sandwich we made at RVoyger just about the best ham and cheese we have ever tasted.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Salt Flat, Texas
(915) 828-3251
GMNP Website
RVoyager 
Great photos!
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