The geologist and his wife spent their summers at the cabin until a flood convinced them that living outside the canyon might be more prudent. In the late '50s, Pratt gave the structure and surrounding land to the government. It was the nucleus for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I start the 4.2-mile climb near the Pine Spring Campground. Wide and well-maintained, the trail ascends steadily as it parallels the south side of Pine Canyon.
Views become increasingly lofty.
The campground shrinks below, while across the valley the corrugated sides of Hunter Peak pop into view. Ribbons of green vegetation fill gullies making them look like veins on a muscular mountainside. A pair of mule deer leap ahead on the trail. They stop, look back at me, then bound away. When the route begins to zigzag its way up grassy hillsides, I start to appreciate my hours spent exercising on Stairmaster machines.