Guadalupe National Park contains the highest point in Texas at about 8,800ft. A pleasant Snowden-sized hike up from the campground.

This actually brings you out a few hundred feet above the summit of another El Cap, a less well known 3,000ft face of steep limestone. No idea whether it has been climbed – all a bit crumbly!

El Capitan with Guadeloupe Peak in the background

More breathtaking than either was a side trip up Devil’s Hall Canyon, where the autumn leaves on the few deciduous trees in the dry river bed put on a striking display of colours amidst the cacti.