A recap of events (Feb 2018): Carlsbad Caverns NP
My plan for visiting Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad was to find a site at Pine Springs campground near the visitor center for Guadalupe. I wasn't concerned about getting a site because it wasn't a busy time of year for the park and all the sites are first come first served. Arriving just after sunset but with a full moon that night, I didn't have an issue checking out the sites and deciding on one. After a quick dinner (quesadillas are wonderful for car camping), I settled in for the night. I soon realized that the mentions of wind in the campground were not exaggerated. For most of the first night, the gusts must have hit 40-50 mph and my tent was continually rattling. Ear plugs didn't seem to help, so I decided to spend that night in the car for the quiet. Luckily, this would be the windiest night during my stay. The next morning I had my first glimpse of the Guadalupe Mountains in daylight and it was more impressive than I expected. It was also very comfortable d...