Hopefully I'll hear from some El Paso locals or others familiar with the area...
In a few weeks, the opportunity will present itself for me to have most of one day free to dayhike in the El Paso area. Not surprisingly, as I'm posting this on SP, the Franklin Mountains are of particular interest.
Now, I've previously visited both El Paso and Juarez and I've got to confess, compared to Colorado Springs (where a bar fight or stolen horse can still make it into a story in the online version of the Gazette), there were some elements of the El Paso / Juarez community that left me feeling a bit less than safe.
What is the Franklin Mountains area like? Are yuppies hiking around with kids and dogs? Or are there going to be coyotes and drug runners slinking through the cactus? I do a lot of solo travel and a lot of solo hiking...I just don't want to get myself into a bad situation. I've hiked near-town trails in all sorts of cities alone (Salt Lake, Phoenix, San Diego...) and pulled up in my little rental car a little apprehensive of what I might find, only to find the trailhead packed with yuppies, dogs, laughing children, etc.
I am traveling by airplane, so the 9mm semi will be sitting quiet and lonely at home (unless the husband treats it to a day out for target practice). Would I be out of my mind to attempt, say, N. Franklin solo? Or am I just a Colorado worry wort?
Thanks for your honest input. Please remember I'm not trying to disparage the city of El Paso, I'm just trying to be cautious and sensible as a solo female traveler & hiker.
Regards,
Sarah[/i]