Texas-New Mexico-Colorado trip reccommendations

[TacoSlangr]

We have a week off July 16-23 and I have roughly planned out a nice round trip for us leaving from the Central Texas Area, going west into New Mexico, up to Pagosa Springs area in Colorado, then back through Texas to reach East Texas by Friday evening. We have never camped in New Mexico or Colorado before and are looking for recomendations for public land to camp on, nice trails to try to hit along our proposed route, or even an alternate route if there is something better. Trying to pack in as many new places as possible in one week - not planning on staying more than 1-2 nights in any one spot!

We do have Gaia GPS - this will be my first time using it! Attached picture is our current proposed route

 

[TCorona]

Looks like an interesting route, the adventure awaits, have fun... if it get too hot be sure to head to higher elevation

 

[Neal A. Tew]

How set are you on this route?

Along the lines of the previous poster, have you thought about heading straight for the Colorado Rockies to beat the heat, running some amazing trails then heading straight home when your time runs out?

BTW, my wife loves the Pagosa Hot Springs.

 

[Sparksalot]

There’s a bunch around Cloudroft/Ruidoso. Both Enchanted Rockies Trail and the NMBDR go through the area.