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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Established in 1972, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Culberson in Hudspeth County Texas. This
national park spans 86,416 acres of West Texas and includes mountains, woodlands, natural
springs, canyons, and much more.Guadalupe Mountains National Park contains the highest mountains
in the state of Texas including Guadalupe peak at 8,749 feet elevation. Guadalupe Mountains National Park features over 80 miles of trails for hiking, biking,
or horseback riding. One of the most famous hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known as the
path to the top of Texas.Just north of Guadalupe Mountains National Park is Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Lincoln National Forest, and Brokeoff Mountains Wilderness Study Area in southeastern New Mexico. These areas are seperate from Guadalupe Mountains National Park only by the Texas-New Mexico border. In Carlsbad Cavern National Park, visitors can enjoy more of the Guadalupe Mountains or explore the Carlsbad Caverns. It is worth the extra drive to Lincoln National Forest to check out the beautiful Sitting Bull Falls.
America's National Parks
Peaks and Canyons
Guadalupe Peak:
Height: 8,749 feet
Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas. The relative height of the peak from the desert floor is
over 3,000 feet. This peak can be climbed via the 4 mile Guadalupe Peak hiking trail. When viewed from
the top of this peak, the relatively flat surrounding landscape seems to go on forever.
While on Guadalupe Peak, check out the stainless steel pyramid that was placed there by American Airlines to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail. Butterfield Overland Mail was a stage coach
route in the United States that operated from 1857 to 1861. The route was named for John Warren Butterfield who
was paid $600,000 to transport the mail between Memphis, St. Louis, and San Francisco in 25 days. The last run
on the Butterfield Overland was March 21, 1861 at the beginning of the American Civil War.
El Capitan:
Height: 8,085 feet
Not to be confused with El Capitan at
Yosemite National Park in California,
El Capitan was once used as a landmark by travelers passing through the area. At 8,085 ft, El Capitan
is the 8th highest peak in Texas. El Capitan is considered by many to be the signature peak of West Texas.
Due to the unstable conditions of the peak, climbers must get a permit to climb this peak. This
peak is accessible between the south side of Guadalupe Peak and the back side of El Capitan.
McKittrick Canyon:
McKittrick Canyon is considered by many to be the most beautiful area in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. McKittrick Canyon can be explored
via the McKittrick Canyon Trail, the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail, and the Permian Reef Geology Trail. This area is one of the few forested
areas in the park. The canyon is home to several species of trees including oak, ash, and Bigtooth Maple. If visited during the fall, McKittrick
Canyon is filled with many vibrant colors as the leaves change colors and the wildflowers bloom. A crystal clear stream runs through much of the
canyon. Most of the trails in the canyon crosses the stream several times. If you are a serious hiker, you may consider hiking to McKittrick Ridge.
The McKittrick Ridge Trail is a 14.8 mile round trip (2700 feet climb) but there is a campground at the end so many hikers make this a two day hike. The sites along
the McKittrick Ridge Trail make the long hike worth the effort.
Much of McKittrick was once owned by Wallace E. Pratt before it was donated to the U.S. Government in 1957. Pratt's donation played a huge role
in the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Wallace Pratt$#39;s Lodge can be visited via a 2.4 mile trail.
Dog Canyon:
Dog Canyon is one of the most remote and secluded areas at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Dog Canyon sits at the north end of the park near the New Mexico border
and the edge of the wilderness boundary. Many visitors take advatage of the seclusion of this area for quite hiking and camping.
Hiking Trails
Hiking Trails:
With over 86,000 acres and 80 miles of trails, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a great destination for hikers, back packers,
and horseback riders. Trails range from short easy hikes, to difficult several day hikes. Much of the park has no access to water
so if you are planning a hike, be sure to bring plenty of water. The parks service recommends one gallon of water per person for
every day that you plan to hike. Hikers shoud always call ahead to be sure that the trail that they want to hike is not closed due to
weather or other safety concerns.
Guadalupe Peak Trail:
Guadalupe Peak Trail is a short hike that starts at Pine Springs near the headquarters visitor center and travels past the base
of Guadalupe Peak(highest peak in Texas, 8749 ft). This trail passes a campground where you can stay overnight near the base of
Guadalupe Peak.
Bush Mountain Trail:
Bush Mountain Trail is one of the longest trails in the park. It starts near the Headquarters visitor center and several other
trail heads and takes you north past Bush Mountain (8,631 ft), Blue Ridge, and Blue Ridge Trail. Trail ends at Dog Canyon along
with Tejas Trail and Indian meadow Nature Trail.
Blue Ridge Trail:
This short Guadalupe Mountains National Park hiking trail starts near the beginning of the Tejas Trail and ends at Bush Mountain Trail at Blue
Ridge.
Juniper Trail:
Juniper is a short hike that starts at The Bowl and connects to the Tejas Trail near Mount Tejas. This trail is near the
Guadalupe Mountains National Park visitor center.
Tejas Trail:
Tejas Trail starts at the headquarters visitor center near Pine Springs and travels north for several miles. This trail
intersects the Bowl Trail, the Juniper Trail, McKittrick Canyon Trail, and Bush Mountain Trail and ends at the Indian
Meadow Nature Trail at Dog Canyon.
Bear Canyon Trail:
Bear Canyon Trail is a very short hike that starts at the Frijole Trail near the headquarters visitor center and ends at
the bowl trail near "The Bowl".
Frijole Trail:
The Frijole Trail is a very short hike that starts at the Bear Canyon Trail near the headquarters visitor center and
takes you to Frijole Ranch History Museum near Smith Spring.
Smith Spring Trail:
Smith Spring Trail is a small loop that starts at the Frijole Ranch History Museum and goes past Manzanita Spring and Smith
Spring before returning by another route.
El Capitan Trail:
El Capitan Trail is a moderately long trail that begins at Pine Springs near the headquarters visitor center and travels south
to the Shumard Canyon and Williams Ranch. This trail takes you past the base of El Capitan, one of the most distinguishable
trails in Guadalupe Mountain National Park. You may also detour off this trail onto the Salt Basin Trail to the Salt Basin
Overlook.
McKittrick Canyon Trail:
This trail starts in the middle of Tejas Trail and continues several miles past McKittrick Ridge, Hunter Line Shack, Pratt Cabin
(the park's original ranch house), and eventually McKittrick Canyon. This Trail ends near McKittrick Nature Trail and Permian Reef
Geology Trail. On this trail you will also see beautiful maple forests, and you will pass Texas' only reproducing trout stream.
Indian Meadow Nature Trail:
Indian Meadow Nature Trail is a very short loop that starts and ends at Dog Canyon camping area. You may get to this trail from
Tejas Trail or Bush Mountain Trail.
Permian Reef Geology Trail:
Permian Reef Geology Trail is a short hike from McKittrick Canyon to Wilderness Ridge. This trail has a short detour that leads to
a picnic ground about half way to Wilderness ridge.
Salt Basin Trail:
The Salt Basin Trail is a short trail that branches off of the El Capitan Trail and leads to the Salt Basin Overlook. You may
loop around this trail and get back on the El Capitan Trail.
Park Attractions
Headquarters Visitor Center:
You may visit Guadalupe Mountains National Park Headquarters visitor center for park maps, attraction information, day use passes, and camping guides. This
is a great place to start if you are new to the park.
Frijole Ranch History Museum:
Frijole Ranch History Museum is a 1870s ranch house that has becom a history center museum dedicated
to preserving and displaying artifacts of early frontier life. The center includes a old schoolhouse and and spring house. There are
picnic tables outside where you may enjoy lunch before your hike back.
Pratt Lodge:
Pratt Lodge, located in McKittrick Canyon was built by the one time owner of most of McKittrick Canyon.
Wallace Pratt was a geologist that came to McKittrick Canyon in 1921 and fell in love with its natural beauty.
The Pinery:
A short distance from the Headquarters Visitor Center in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the remains of
the 1858 Butterfield Overland Mail Stage Station. The Pinery was once a limeston fortress like building built
to protect against indian raids.
Williams Ranch:
Williams Ranch is a four-wheel drive or mountain bike area in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This is a sceniv area
with great views of the the Guadalupe mountains and the Chihuahuan desert landscape. While at Williams Ranch you may also visit
the ranch house. The view from the front porch of the cabin is one of the most spectacular views in the park.
Williams Ranch House is thought to have been built in 1908. Williams Ranch was home to several thousand head of longhorn cattle.