# Leah and I (Guadalupe Mountains National Park pt 1)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hike-explore-repeat-trailblazing-texas-podcast-6729445/leah-and-i-guadalupe-mountains-national-park-pt-1
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/hike-explore-repeat-trailblazing-texas-podcast-6729445/leah-and-i-guadalupe-mountains-national-park-pt-1.md
Podcast: [Hike, Explore, Repeat: Trailblazing Texas Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/hike-explore-repeat-trailblazing-texas-podcast-6729445)
Published: 2026-01-22T12:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/trailblazingtexas/2206967
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/241356/2206967/trailblazingtexas/2026_01_21_18_25_55_774205e1-8fde-472c-a2c9-b96b6975e488.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/hike-explore-repeat-trailblazing-texas-podcast-6729445/episodes/leah-and-i-guadalupe-mountains-national-park-pt-1
Duration seconds: 3772

## Resource

Leah's Dedication and Favorite Quote: I would like to dedicate this episode to my parents - Craig and Lili - who gave me life and love. To my mentors - Brian and Miguel - who taught me how to be the best ranger I can be. And finally to anyone who has ever fallen in love with the most beautiful mountains in the world - Guadalupe <3 "The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders." -Edward Abbey Episode Description: This one is special. In Part 1 of this long-awaited conversation, I’m joined by my favorite ranger, Leah, from Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the place I’ve called my heaven on earth for years. And before we even get into trails or terrain, we share a moment that’s raw, honest, and a little emotional. Because this park, and the people who protect it, mean something real to both of us. From there, we settle into a deeply personal conversation about what it means to serve a place like the Guadalupes. Leah shares how she first found her way into the National Park Service, what drew her specifically to these mountains, and what made her stay. We talk about what a fulfilling day as a ranger actually looks like, the behind-the-scenes work visitors rarely see, and the quiet moments, sounds, smells, and solitude, that make this park feel less like a job and more like home. We also reflect on patrols, unforgettable visitor interactions, and whether that “wow” feeling ever fades when you work in a place this wild (spoiler: it doesn’t). Leah paints a picture of the park not just as a destination, but as a living, breathing landscape that continues to shape her, just as it has shaped me. Then we turn outward to explore the park itself. Beyond Guadalupe Peak, we dig into lesser-known trails and areas that deserve more attention, the best “bang for…

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## Transcript

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