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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 feet (2,667 m) in elevation. It also contains El Capitan, long used as a landmark by people traveling along the old route later followed by the Butterfield Overland Mailstagecoach line. Visitors can see the ruins of an old stagecoach station near the Pine Springs Visitor Center. The park covers 135 mi² (350 km²) and is in the same mountain range as Carlsbad Caverns National Park which is located about 80 miles (129 km) to the north in New Mexico.
Southwest face of Guadalupe Peak and El Capitan
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 the cabin of Wallace Pratt, a petroleum geologist who donated the land in order to establish the park.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a hiker's paradise, with established trails for nature walks, day hikes, and extended backpacking. It has three main trailheads: Pine Springs, Dog Canyon, and McKittrick Canyon. Dog Canyon is accessible via Carlsbad, New Mexico by way of state road 137 and the other two trailheads are accessible by highway 62/180 between El Paso and Carlsbad. Most of the trails listed below are day hikes. Longer hikes can be formed by travelling from trailhead to trailhead using the park map. On most trails, horses are also allowed.
Pine Springs Trailhead
*Guadalupe Peak Trail : On a clear day, the view from the "Top of Texas" (8,749 feet, 2,667 meters) is outstanding. The trail is very steep, but is well established. Some areas are exposed to cliff edges. Rated strenuous; 3000 feet of elevation gain. Round trip is 8.4 miles, and takes 6-8 hours. Avoid the Peak during high winds and thunderstorms.
*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.
*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 Williams Ranch historic 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. 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.
View of McKittrick Canyon from Wilderness Ridge
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 : 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 one and a half hours. Please: Water is precious for park flora and wildlife species. Do not disturb the water in any way.
*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 history, 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.
