Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the Guadalupe
Mountains of West Texas and contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest
point in Texas at 8,749'. It also contains El
Capitan, long used as a landmark by people traveling along the
old route later followed by the Butterfield Overland Mail
stagecoach line. Visitors can see the ruins of an old stagecoach
station near the Pine Springs Visitor Center. Camping is
available nearby at the Pine Springs Campground. The restored Frijole Ranch House is now a small museum of local ranching
history and is the trailhead for Smith Spring. The park covers
135 square miles and is in the same mountain range as Carlsbad
Caverns National Park which is located about 25 miles to the
north in New Mexico. Numerous well-established trails exist in
the park for hiking and horse-riding. The Guadalupe Peak Trail
offers perhaps the most outstanding views in the park. Climbing
over 3,000 feet to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, the trail winds
through pinon pine and douglas fir forests and offers
spectacular views of El Capitan and the vast Chihuahuan desert.
The park also contains McKittrick Canyon. During the Fall,
McKittrick comes alive with a blaze of color from the turning
Bigtooth Maples, in stark contrast with the surrounding
Chihuahuan desert. A trail in the canyon leads to a stone cabin
built in the early 1930s, formerly the vacation home of Wallace
Pratt, a petroleum geologist who donated the land in order to
establish the park.
Hiking In Guadalupe Mountains National Park Pine Springs Trailhead - Guadalupe Peak Trail
On a clear day, the view from the "Top of Texas" (8,749
feet, or 2,667 meters) is outstanding. The trail is very
steep, but is well established. Some areas are exposed to
cliff edges. It is rated strenuous, with 3,000 feet of
elevation gain. The round trip distance is 8.4 miles, and
generally takes 6-8 hours. Avoid the peak hike during high
winds and thunderstorms. More...
Devil's Hall Trail
Hike the streambed of Pine Springs Canyon, then climb the
natural rock of the Hiker's Staircase, to the finale - the
Devil's Hall. This rocky trail has very little elevation
gain, and leads you through maples, ponderosa pine, and many
plant varieties of the Chihuahuan desert. The trail is rated
moderate; though it is only 4.2 miles round trip, allow 3-5
hours to enjoy this hike. More...
The Bowl
A beautiful coniferous forest of pine and Douglas fir covers
the high ridges and canyons, and awaits those who are
willing to hike up 2500 feet from the Chihuahuan desert
below. The remnants of wildland fire are still evident along
sections of the trails. From Pine Springs campground, follow
the Frijole Trail, and Bear Canyon Trail to the top, then
left on the Bowl Trail. Take a side trip to Hunter Peak,
then descend via Tejas Trail. This hike is rated strenuous.
Allow 8-10 hours; round trip is 9.1 miles.
El Capitan/Salt Basin Overlook Trails
The trail leads through Chihuahuan desert to the base of El
Capitan at the southern end of the Guadalupe mountain range.
Follow the El Capitan Trail and the Salt Basin Overlook
Trail. Return to Pine Springs campground via the El Capitan
Trail. Beyond Salt Basin Overlook, the trail continues to
the historic Williams Ranch site, an additional 4.7 miles
one-way. This hike is rated moderate; it is 11.3 miles round
trip. Allow 6-8 hours.
Frijole/Foothills Trails
The Frijole and Foothills trails make a connecting loop
between Pine Springs campground and Frijole Ranch. Start at
either end. Observe Chihuahuan desert vegetation and nice
distant vistas. Not frequently traveled, this trail offers
an enjoyable walk of solitude.
McKittrick Canyon Trailhead McKittrick Canyon Trail
Follow an intermittent stream through the desert,
transition, and canyon woodlands to the historic Pratt
Lodge, Grotto picnic area, and Hunter Cabin. A guide book is
available at the McKittrick Canyon Contact Station or the
Headquarters Visitor Center. Rated moderate; the 4.8 miles
round-trip to Pratt Lodge takes 2 hours; allow 3-5 hours
round-trip to hike to the Grotto and Hunter Cabin. More...
To protect this fragile environment you are required to stay
on the trail, and please, stay out of the water. It is
reserved for the wildlife.
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
An intermittent seep lies hidden within junipers, shrubs,
and grasses that cling to this tiny ecosystem. Trailside
exhibits describe common plants, reference wildland fire,
and explain Permian Reef geology. The trail is .9 miles
round trip, is rated moderate, but takes less than one hour
to complete.
Permian Reef Trail
For serious geology buffs, this trail has stop markers that
can be used with a comprehensive geology guide, available at
the park's Headquarters Visitor Center. There are excellent
views into McKittrick Canyon from the top of Wilderness
Ridge. The trail is 8.4 miles round-trip, rated strenuous
with 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
Headquarters Visitor Center Trailhead The Pinery Trail
Travel the short .75 mile path to the ruins of the old
Pinery Station, once a favored stop on the original 2,800
mile Butterfield Overland Mail Route. Trailside exhibits
describe Chihuahuan desert vegetation. The trail is paved,
rated easy, and wheelchair accessible. Pets are allowed on
leash. Frijole Ranch Trailhead Smith Spring Trail
Begin this hike at the trailhead sign. Look for birds, mule
deer, and elk as you walk this loop trail to the shady oasis
of Smith Spring. Take a break here and enjoy the gurgling
sounds of the tiny waterfall before continuing around to
sunny Manzanita Spring. Scars from wildland fires of 1990
and 1993 are evident along the trail. The trail is rated
moderate, with a round-trip distance of 2.3 miles. Allow one
to two hours.
Manzanita Spring (only)
Begin this hike by turning right behind the ranch house at
Frijole Ranch and follow the short, paved trail to Manzanita
Spring (.2 mile). Return to Frijole Ranch on the same route.
The trail is wheelchair accessible. Manzanita Spring is an
excellent desert watering hole for park wildlife and a great
birding location.
Frijole/Foothills Trails
The Frijole and Foothills trails make a connecting loop
between Pine Springs campground and Frijole Ranch. Start at
either end. Observe Chihuahuan desert vegetation and nice
distant vistas. Not frequently traveled, this trail offers
an enjoyable walk of solitude.
Dog Canyon Trailhead
Indian Meadow Nature Trail
A free trail guide offers information and insights on the
natural and cultural history of the meadow and the
surrounding area. The trail is .6 mile; at a leisure pace it
takes 30-45 minutes. The trail is rated easy as it remains
almost level after crossing an arroyo.
Marcus Overlook
Follow the Bush Mountain Trail to Manzanita Ridge. Once on
top, the trail abruptly levels off for a short distance.
Stop at the point where the trail drops steeply, and enjoy
the view down West Dog Canyon. Turn back here and return to
Dog Canyon along the same route. The trail is rated moderate
and the distance is 4.5 miles.
Lost Peak
Follow the Tejas Trail through open meadow and into the
canyon bottom that is lined on either side by alligator
juniper, ponderosa pine, chinkapin oak, and big tooth maple.
Shortly ahead you will begin climbing up toward Lost Peak,
gaining 1540 feet in elevation. At the summit the trail
levels out and soon reaches a junction with the McKittrick
Ridge Trail. The distance to Lost Peak and return is 6.4
miles. It is rated moderate to strenuous, and takes 5-6
hours.
