by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
Guadalupe MountainsDay Hiking Guide |
If you have...
One hour
The Pinery Nature Trail
Manzanita Springs and/or Smith Springs Trail
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
Indian Meadow Nature Loop (at Dog Canyon)
Two - Three hours
Smith Springs Trail
McKittrick Canyon (to Pratt Cabin)
Devil’s Hall Trail
Four hours
McKittrick Canyon (to the Grotto)
Marcus Overlook (at Dog Canyon)
One Day
Guadalupe Peak Trail
The Bowl Trail
Permian Reef Trail
El Capitan Trail
Foothills/Frijole Trail
Lost Peak (at Dog Canyon)
Pine Springs Visitor Center Trailhead
The Pinery Trail
3/4 mile round trip
Easy, wheelchair-accessible
Discover the desert as you walk from the
Visitor Center to the ruins of the Pinery, a
Butterfield Trail stagecoach station. The Pinery Trail ends at the Pinery parking area on
Hwy 62/180. Modest incline on return trip.
Pine Springs Trailhead
Guadalupe Peak
8.4 miles round trip
Strenuous, 6-8 hours
The Bowl
8.5 miles round trip
Strenuous, 6-8 hours
Devil’s Hall
4.2 miles round trip
Moderate, 2.5-3 hours
On clear days, the views from the “Top of
Texas” (8,749’, 2,667m) are outstanding. the
trail is well established and does not require
rock-climbing abilities.
Avoid the peak during high winds and
thunderstorms.
Take a high country hike through a coniferous forest, and see how the area is recovering from a wildland fire that occurred in
1990. Recommended route: Tejas Trail, Bowl
Trail, Hunter Peak side trip, Bear Canyon
Trail, Frijole Trail.
After following one mile of constructed
trail, turn left and follow the route through
the wash. Extremely rocky. Continue for one
mile to the Hiker’s Staircase and Devil’s Hall.
Do not scramble up slopes or go into caves
or shelters. Rocks may be unstable due to
flooding that occurred in September, 2013.
El Capitan
11.3 mile round trip
Moderate to strenuous, 6-8 hours
Frijole & Foothills Trails
5.5 miles round trip
Moderate, 3-4 hours
This trail leads through Chihuahuan Desert
to the base of El Capitan at the southern
end of the Guadalupe Mountain range.
Recommended route: El Capitan Trail, Salt
Basin Overlook, and back.
The Frijole and Foothills trail make a loop
connecting the Pine Springs Campground
and the Frijole Ranch. Start at either end.
Frijole Ranch Trailhead
Smith Spring Trail
2.3 miles round trip
Moderate, 1-2 hours
Wheel-chair accessible to Manzanita Spring
(0.4 miles round-trip). The trail then becomes rocky and is rated moderate.
Look for birds, deer, and elk on your way to
the shady oasis of Smith Spring.
Dog Canyon Trailhead
McKittrick Canyon Trailhead
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Day Hikes
Indian Meadow Nature Trail
0.6 miles round-trip
Easy
Discover the plants and animals of a meadow in the secluded north section of the
park.
Lost Peak
6.4 miles round-trip
Strenuos, 1,500 feet of elevation gain
Climb out of Dog Canyon on the Tejas Trail
to visit the coniferous forest above. Outstanding views from Lost Peak. There is no
trail the last 1/4 mile to the peak.
Marcus Overlook
4.5 miles round-trip
Moderate, 800 feet of elevation gain
Follow the Bush Mountain Trail for 2.3 miles
to the ridge top for a view into West Dog
Canyon.
McKittrick Canyon
to Pratt Cabin
4.8 miles round-trip
Moderate, 2-3 hours
to the Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin
6.8 miles round-trip
Moderate, 4-5 hours
Follow an intermittent stream through the
desert, transition, and canyon woodlands to
the historic Pratt Cabin, Grotto Picnic Area,
and Hunter Line Cabin. A guidebook is
available at the trailhead visitor center.
McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
0.9 miles round-trip
Moderate, <1 hour
Stroll through the foothills and learn about
the natural history of the Chihuahuan Desert. Trailside exhibits.
Permian Reef Trail
8.4 miles round-trip
Strenuous, 2,000 feet of elevation gain.
For serious geology buffs, this trail has stop
markers that can be used with a geology
guide book available at park visitor centers.
There are excellent views into McKittrick
Canyon from the top of this ancient Permian structure.
Salt Basin Dunes Trailhead
Salt Basin Dunes Trail
3-4 miles round-trip
Moderate, some of the largest dunes are
60’ high and involve some scrambling
Hike to a gypsum dune field with excellent
views of the western escarpment. There
is no shade, so carry plenty of water and
avoid hiking in the midday heat.
Visit Safely
Bring food and plenty of water.
Wear sunscreen and a hat.
Carry a trail map.
Pack rain gear; sudden weather changes are
common.
Protect the Park
Stay on trails; don’t cut across switchbacks or
create new trails.
Carry out all trash, including cigarette butts.
Report any trail hazards to the Visitor Center.