by Alex Gugel , all rights reserved
CC and GMGuide Fall/Winter 2019 |
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior
Visitor
Guide 2015
summer/fall
Fall/Winter 2019
Find
Your
A Sky
FullAdventure
of Wonder and a Mosaic of Biodiversity
On the Guadalupe Ridge Trail
Photo by Artist in Residence Ethan Smith
Greetings
W e lc o m e t o Gua d a lu p e M o u n ta i n s
National Park. Guadalupe Mountains
National Park protects one of the world’s
best examples of a fossil reef, diverse ecosystems, and a cultural heritage that spans
thousands of years.
Our park staff are here to help make your
visit a truly memorable event and will be
happy to help you plan your visit in the
park and surrounding areas. Guadalupe
Mountains National Park has over 80 miles
of hiking trails to explore, ranging from
wheelchair accessible paths to strenuous
mountain hikes, including an 8.4 mile
roundtrip hike to Texas’ highest mountain,
Guadalupe Peak (8,751').
As you travel and spend time in the area
please remember to keep safety in mind.
Deer and other wildlife are plentiful—enjoy watching wildlife, but remember they
often move across roads, especially in the
evenings; be vigilant while driving during
twilight hours. Hikers should be prepared
for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Hikers can become dehydrated in our dry
climate, so carry plenty of water (one gallon per person per day is recommended).
Always check with a ranger before venturing into the backcountry.
We wish you a rewarding experience in
every way.
Sincerely,
Eric Brunnemann
Superintendent
By Elizabeth Jackson
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
is full of wonderful surprises. From the
disappearing streams of McKittrick
Canyon to the Sky Island coniferous
forest and meadow of the Bowl trail, no
matter where you hike in the park, there
is always something unique to experience and learn. One area of the park
that is often overlooked is the Salt Basin
Dunes. Located along the western area
of the park, they are tucked away, down
a secluded, rugged road. This is an area
where expensive cars fear to travel.
The Salt Basin Dunes glisten in the sun,
beckoning the adventurous to trek into
its white, shifting landscape. Although
these sand drifts originated in an area
once covered by water 1.8 million years
ago, they have no water current to
change the ripples now. The wind and
wildlife are tasked to paint patterns in
the sand here. Created by a fault in the
crustal rocks some 26 million years ago,
the gypsum grains cover almost 2,000
acres on the western range of the park.
This stunning, austere beauty calls the
visitor who is looking to explore more
remote areas.
The Salt Basin Dunes picnic area and
trailhead are located 50 miles from the
Pine Springs Visitor Center. Travel west
for 23 miles along Highway 62/180 and
turn right on FM 1576 just before you
reach the town of Salt Flat. Travel north
17 miles and then turn right on William’s
Road. Continue on the dirt packed road
for 8.5 miles. Use caution and travel
slowly. There is no water, so be sure to
bring what you need.
An alternate route to the dunes incorporates a visit to Dell City first. Travel
west on Highway 62/180 for 30 miles
and turn right on FM 1437. Continue for
13 miles, and look on the left side for the
familiar National Park Service arrowhead signaling the park contact station.
Enter the parking lot into the Dell City
Contact station to visit the new exhibits
and listen to a brief electronic narration
regarding park logistics and information
on the dunes site. From the contact station, visitors can continue to the dunes
by driving north through town and
turning right on FM 2249 and then right
on FM 1576. Then turn left on William
Road (about one mile from FM2249).
When visitors arrive to this day use area,
they can learn more about the dunes
and the western escarpment formation
from the recently installed interpretive
wayside exhibit that provides visitor
information on the geology of the ex-
Inside
Parks as Neighbors
Page 2
Got a Wild Question About the Park?
Page 2
Ask Lupe the Ringtail!
P.B. King: Geology Giant of the
Guadalupes
Page 3
posed range. Facilities at the trailhead
include accessible parking, RV/bus
parking, picnic tables with shade structures, as well as pit toilets. Camping is
strictly prohibited in this area.
As you begin your 1.5 mile hike to the
dunes, you enter ecologically sensitive
terrain. The area landscape leading to
the dunes is fragile and visitors are asked
to stay on the trail. A darkened cryptogamic crust can be observed on the
sandy soil alongside the trail. This crust
assists vegetation and allows it to take
hold, while providing a thinly layered
nitrogen source. This delicate layer also
helps the dunes resist the strong winds
and prevents erosion.
Once at the dunes, as you look over to
the north end, a sixty foot high dune
rises, meeting the nearby western
mountain range. Smaller dunes surround the area and soft red quartz grain
dunes can be seen north of the Patterson Hills area, giving the illusion of a
misty pink landscape. Many will visit the
Guadalupe Mountains and never venture to the Salt Basin Dunes, but these
gypsum sands reflect and beckon the
seasoned hiker who is seeking the road
less traveled.
Hiking Information
Page 4
Prepare for Changeable Weather
Page 5
Wildlife & You
Page 6
Wildland Caving & Sitting Bull Falls
(Lincoln National Forest)
Page 7
Nearby Attractions
Page 8
The National Park Service was
created in the Organic Act of
1916. The new agency’s mission
as managers of national parks
and monuments was clearly
stated.
Parks as Neighbors
on one side of a park boundary and what
the public and their parks. To do this ef-
remains outside of it.
fectively, we must identify the needs of
This is precisely why parks must become
surrounding populations. Parks can be a
Community Volunteer Ambassador
part of communities. As the Department
place for healthy recreational activities in
of the Interior puts it, parks must “be a
the absence of other options. Imagine that:
better neighbor ... by improving dialogue
a doctor prescribing their patient a weekly
I often think that every person should
To support that mission, the collecting of natural and historic
objects is prohibited.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
400 Pine Canyon Drive
Salt Flat, TX 79847
915-828-3251 ext. 2124
www.nps.gov/gumo
Facebook
www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Mountains
Twitter
@GuadalupeMtnsNP
Instagram
guadalupemountainsnps
let’s develop life-long connections between
By Tyler Young,
“....to conserve the scenery and the natural
and historic objects and the wild life therein
and to provide for the enjoyment of the
same in such manner and by such means as
will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Telephone and
Web Directory
tain a balance between what happens to fall
a national park that they consider part
and relationships with persons and entities
hike! Or a counselor referring their client to
of their community. A quick glance at a
bordering our lands.” Much of this effort is
an art therapy program in a nearby park. We
map, though, makes it seem like that’s just
focused on the “entities” in that statement:
could see on the dinner table food grown in a
not possible. Many towns and cities don’t
municipal governments (and their tourism
volunteer-tended plot at a historical farm site.
have a park nearby, and the inverse holds as
boards), corporations, and social organiza-
On the weekend, one might attend a cultural
well; many parks - like Guadalupe Moun-
tions. There is still plenty of room left for
event at their favorite park, and stay afterwards
tains - are geographically isolated from most
the “persons,” however. Parks like Guada-
to watch a skilled volunteer share their passion
people. However, if we consider a commu-
lupe Mountains are investing in volunteer
for astronomy at a star viewing party.
nity not as a boundary drawn on a map, but
events and opportunities. Whatever your
Seeing a park ranger may never be as regular as
as a set of experiences shared with people,
skillset or interests, you are likely to find a
seeing your local bank teller, or grocery store
new opportunities are created. Likewise, we
park that fits. Whether you like photogra-
clerk. There is plenty of room, though, to make
can also alter our definition of a park. It’s
phy, hiking, backpacking, citizen science, or
parks part of people’s weekly, monthly, or
common to think of national parks merely
education, there’s a park looking for some-
yearly routines. The first invitation was sent in
as lands “set aside” by Congress, as if with
one like you to volunteer on a short- or
1872 from Yellowstone. The Guadalupe Moun-
the stroke of a pen one could magically
long-term basis.
tains sent theirs one hundred years later. There
have
fence off thousands of acres and protect it
will never be a deadline to accept.
from outside influence. This all-protective
It’s a bold proposition, but a simple one:
boundary does not exist. Rather, parks must
let’s push parks beyond being a once-in-
work with people near and far to help main-
a-lifetime vacation destination. Instead,
...Ask Lupe! continued
Lupe,
Do you allow campfires in the park? We
like to roast s’mores!
Gregg T.
Salutations Gregg!
We never allow campfires in Guadalupe
Mountains National Park! It’s way too dry
Food, Lodging, and Camping
and hot here for fires. Plus, we get pretty
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
575-887-6516
www.carlsbadchamber.com
nearly blew me out of my new favorite tree!
windy here too. Just last week, a strong gust
And just a few weeks before that, a really
strong gust actually blew down my old
Van Horn Texas Visitors Bureau
432-283-2682
favorite tree! >:| With such high winds, and
this dry desert environment, wildfires can
Road Conditions
New Mexico: 800-432-4269
www.nmroads.com
Texas: 800-452-9292
drivetexas.org
Emergency: Call 911
Guadalupe Mountains NP
Visitor Center (Nature Trail)
Coordinate System: Lat/Long
Datum: WGS 1984
Latitude: 31.89370° N
Longitude: 104.82214° W
Volunteerism Makes a Difference
W e wo u l d l i k e t o e x t e n d o u r s i n c e r e g rat i t u d e t o t h e d e d i c at e d
effort and talent that volunteers have brought to Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Volunteers play a vital role in fulfilling our mission of preserving our natural and cultural
heritage and sharing that heritage with the visiting public. Volunteers do everything from
staffing the information desk, roving interpretation, patrolling trails, to trail maintenance,
research, and more.
To become a Volunteer-In-Park (VIP) visit www.volunteer.gov
or contact:
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Amanda Cooper, Volunteer-In-Park Coordinator
915-828-3251 ext. 2311
Ask Lupe!
I can tell you several things to prepare you
for hiking up Guadalupe Peak. First things
first! Bring plenty of water! I’ve seen so
many poor humans start the hike and turn
back because they ran out too fast! The best
humans usually take about 6-8 water bottles
with them (one gallon)—and salty snacks
As a nonprofit education part-
too! I always try and get them to share some
ner of the National Park Service,
with me, but no luck so far. I know they’re
WNPA supports 71 national park
just looking out for me and my best eating
partners across the West, devel-
habits, but it sure is darn tempting! Also,
bring plenty of sun protection! It’s so hot
oping products, services, and
programs that enrich the visitor
experience.
In partnership with the National
Park Service since 1938, WNPA advances education, interpretation,
research, and community engagement to ensure national parks are
increasingly valued by all.
here! I personally prefer hiking at night, but
Dear Lupe,
I love hiking! It’s one of my favorite
things to do! I’m so looking forward to
visiting your park one day, but I’ve never
hiked Guadalupe Peak before- do you
have any advice for me?
Lots of love,
Elizabeth J.
y’all humans sure are blind when the sun
coat helps, but you should bring plenty of
sunblock and some hats that cover all your
ers that work at my park do a good job of
trying to stop wildfires from spreading too
much, so they don’t allow campfires, but
they do allow gas or propane stoves! I’d really appreciate it if you didn’t use any sort of
fire or charcoal grills in order to help prevent wildfires. Otherwise, I might not have
any trees left to be my favorite anymore. :(
Yours, eternally grateful,
Lupe
Hi Lupe,
Whose scat is scattered all over the
trails? Sometimes its red, sometimes it’s
a bit darker, and sometimes it has a lot
of berries! We see it everywhere when
we go hiking!
Leah (Lee-ahh, not Leiah)
My dearest LeeAHH (;
Well, if you really must know, it’s mine!
Heh heh. A ringtail’s gotta do, what a ringtail’s gotta do! I’m just such a busy creature
when I wake up at night, and I’m running
to and fro, that it just kind of ends up…. all
over. It’s not all entirely my fault though! In
this desert environment, things decay and
decompose a lot slower than in other environment, so my business sticks around and
becomes everybody’s business, teehee.
Your buddy,
Lupe
face and head. I’ve seen so many people
change colors on the hike! They start out
Have a wild question you want answered?
one color and turn red at the end! Haha!
Ask Lupe!
Hi Elizabeth!
Anyway, I hope this helps, Elizabeth! And I
Email destiny_d_gardea@nps.gov and
I love hiking too! In fact, that’s one of the
can’t wait to see you on the trails!
we’ll get your questions to our park’s mas-
things I love to do the most. I’ve hiked all
Lupe
cot asap.
up and down Guadalupe Mountains—and
2 Visitor Guide
sets. When hiking during the day my fur
catch and spread quickly. Luckily, the rang-
Philip B. King: Geology Giant of the Guadalupes
by Boyd Kennedy
overhead, and the air became “vibrant” with
electricity. Realizing they were in danger,
Philip B.King was born in Indiana in 1903
the group fled the peak as fast as they could
and graduated from the University of Iowa
go. King was scared of lightning, and wrote
with a geology degree in 1924. He went on
that he considered the women’s pace on the
to obtain advanced degrees from Iowa and
way down to be “painfully slow.” He did
Yale University based on his studies of the
not record whether he communicated those
geology of the Glass Mountains of West
sentiments to Helen.
Texas. First as a curious college student,
and later as a respected member of the U.S.
King’s last official act before leaving Frijole
Geological Survey, King combed the vast
in early 1935 was to auction off the govern-
West Texas landscape by primitive auto-
ment pickup truck he had worn out jolting
mobile and on foot, examining rocks and
over the harsh desert terrain. This proved
seeking out fossils, taking copious notes and
to be a challenging assignment, considering
sketches, and filling the car with rocks that
money was scarce and the local population
destroyed the upholstery and broke the car
almost nonexistent. When the bidding
springs. There were no paved roads. On
stalled at $10 King put his foot down and
one outing the rear axle of his car sheared
refused to sell until the bids improved. The
off, as King and his assistant jolted to a stop
Smith family finally bought the truck for
and watched a wheel roll off into the des-
$90, and the Kings drove away to Phillip’s
ert. King’s unpublished autobiography, the
new posting in Washington, D.C. as the first
source for much of this article, describes
snow of the winter began to fall at Frijole
the people and places that he encountered
Ranch.
in what is now Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
Figure 1. The Capitan Reef formed 260-270 million years ago. Much of it is buried, but
faulting and uplift have exposed portions of the reef in the Guadalupe , Apache, and Glass
Mountains.
Over the course of his long career King
worked as a field geologist throughout the
King first visited the Guadalupes in 1926
described their approach as follows: “This
when he and a colleague drove west
was the “dustbowl” period, and the sky
King spent the first two months of 1934
Texas, Arizona, and California – Los An-
through Guadalupe Pass in King’s Model T
was murky with dust blown in from the
examining the mountain range from top to
geles, and authored fine descriptions and
Ford. The travelers on the Butterfield Over-
Great Plains. Going north from Van Horn
bottom between McKittrick canyon and El
maps of the geology of North America. Yet
land Mail wagon in 1858 would no doubt
I couldn’t show Helen much of the country
Capitan, making detailed notes and draw-
he returned to the Guadalupes whenever
have recognized King’s description of the
until, from only a short distance, the great
ings of the marine organisms that built up
he got a chance, visiting Wallace Pratt at his
route: “The roads were incredibly bad, no
cliffs of El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak
the reef, the talus and slide debris on the
cabin in McKittrick Canyon to talk shop,
more than a winding rocky track, but we
loomed up out of the murk.” The Kings
reef front, and the transition zone where
and acting as host and guide for visiting
arrived at Guadalupe Pass, where we could
arrived at Frijole Ranch several days before
reef rocks meet deep ocean deposits laid
geologists as late as the 1960s.
look down over a great sequence of sand-
the letter they had mailed from Austin!
down at the base of the reef. That summer
stone and limestone strata. We descended
Nevertheless, they received a warm recep-
he rented a cabin near the Bowl from the
The formations in the Guadalupe Moun-
over an incredibly steep and winding road,
tion from the Smith family, who owned and
Hunter-Grisham Corp. and explored the
tains first documented by King have by
which it would have been impossible for us
operated Frijole. The Kings moved into
high-country area of the park, roaming as
analogy yielded much information about
to have ascended in our Model T.”
one of the guest cabins and took their meals
far as Dog Canyon. King then turned his
similar formations found underground in
with the Smiths.
attention to the western escarpment, leav-
the nearby Permian Basin and elsewhere in
ing Frijole with an assistant each day before
the world. More recently, NASA scientists
Later that same year (1926), King heard of a
United States, taught at the Universities of
novel theory circulating in geological cir-
Philip and Helen found that the Smiths
daylight, driving to Williams Ranch, and
have examined the Guadalupe Mountains
cles, that some of the strange formations he
were very self-sufficient. The family mem-
then hiking overland for an hour or more
to better equip themselves to decipher
and others had noticed in the Glass Moun-
bers grazed sheep and by hard work raised
just to get to the starting place for their
the sedimentary landscape of Mars. Who
tains might be ancient marine reefs. King’s
almost everything they ate without electric-
day’s work. On payday Phillip and Helen
could have predicted that knowledge first
later field work helped confirm that the
ity or refrigeration. As King put it, “Mrs.
drove to El Paso to cash his paycheck and
gathered by Philip King in his Model T Ford
Guadalupes and the Glass Mountains are in
Smith canned large quantities of meats and
spend the money eating and shopping in
would turn out to be useful on other plan-
fact aboveground portions of the 400-mile
vegetables that they had raised on their own
El Paso and Juarez. They would bring back
ets? What will these rocks tell us next?
long horseshoe-shaped Capitan Reef. (See
place; when unexpected guests arrived all
a 100 pound block of ice wrapped in blan-
Figure 1.)
she had to do was open some more cans.”
kets, and for the next few days everybody at
Philip King’s superb field work during
The ranch house and the cabins were lit
Frijole Ranch celebrated with iced tea and
his time at Frijole Ranch was by far the
After many seasons prowling the West
by an acetylene gas light system, while the
ice cream.
most thorough and in-depth study of the
Texas landscape, King finally got his chance
hydraulic ram and storage tank in the front
in 1934 to make an extended study of the
yard provided water from the spring. Visi-
King also learned that Guadalupe Peak is
was a tour de force titled, simply, Geology
Guadalupe Mountains. Now employed by
tors to Frijole Ranch today can see the rem-
a dangerous place during summer thun-
of the Southern Guadalupe Mountains,
the U.S. Geological Survey, he and his wife
nants of those water and light systems, as well
derstorms. On one day in September, as
Texas. It is available online at https://
Helen drove to Frijole Ranch and made
as a restored version of the old Smith family
the Kings and another couple reached the
pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp215.
it their base camp for almost a year. King
orchard with its spring-fed irrigation ditches.
summit, ominous clouds suddenly gathered
Guadalupe Mountains to date. His report
Visitor Guide 3
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Entrance Fee
NPS Photo
NPS Photo/Dave Bieri
NPS Photo/Dave Bieri
NPS Photo/Michael Haynie
$7.00/person (16 & older)
Free for Senior, Access,
and Annual Pass cardholders
Fee subject to change.
services
hiking
Facilities and services within and near Guadalupe Mountains National Park are extremely limited. The nearest gas stations are
43 miles west (Dell City, TX), 35 miles east
(White’s City, NM), or 65 miles south (Van
Horn, TX). There is no campstore; bring
everything you need with you.
camping
backpacking
Pinery Trail
Distance: .67 mile
Difficulty: Easy, wheelchair accessible, slight
incline on return trip.
Water and restrooms are available, but there
are no showers, RV hookups, or dump stations. The fee is $15.00 per night, per site,
$7.50 with a Senior Pass (or existing Golden
Age Passport) or Access Pass (or existing Golden Access Passport). No wood or
charcoal fires are permitted; camp stoves are
allowed.
Eighty-five miles of trails lead through forests, canyons, and desert to ten backcountry
campgrounds. A free permit is required if
you plan to spend a night in the backcountry.
Permits are issued at the Pine Springs Visitor
Center and the Dog Canyon Ranger Station.
For those coming through Carlsbad, Dog
Canyon is a great place to begin a backpacking trip because it requires less elevation
gain to get into the backcountry.
Information & Exhibits
Pine Springs Visitor Center
Elevation 5,730'. On Highway 62/180, 55
miles southwest of Carlsbad, 110 miles east
of El Paso, and 65 miles north of Van Horn
on Highway 54 and Highway 62/180. Open
every day except December 25. Open daily
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Mountain Time
Zone). Information, natural history exhibits,
introductory slide program.
Frijole Ranch History Museum
The ranch house features exhibits describing historic and current use of the Guadalupes. Grounds include a picnic area near
a spring shaded by large oak trees. Open
intermittently.
McKittrick Canyon
Highway entrance gate is open 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time. During
Daylight Savings Time, hours are expanded
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Restrooms, outdoor
exhibits, slide program, picnic tables.
Hike Safely...
•
There is no water available along
park trails, so be sure to bring plenty
with you. One gallon per person per
day is recommended.
•
Trails are rocky—wear sturdy shoes.
Trekking poles are recommended.
•
Carry a trail map.
•
Pack warm clothing and 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 Pine
Springs Visitor Center or any park
staff member.
•
Collecting of natural, historic or
prehistoric objects is prohibited.
Discover the desert as you walk to the ruins
of the Pinery, a stagecoach station on the
Butterfield Overland Mail Route in 1858.
Trailside exhibits. This is the only trail pets
on leash are allowed.
McKittrick Canyon Trail
Distance: to Pratt Cabin 4.8 miles roundtrip,
to the Grotto, 6.8 miles roundtrip
Difficulty: Moderate, level but rocky trail,
200' elevation gain to Grotto.
Follow an intermittent stream through the
desert and canyon woodlands to the historic Pratt Cabin. A guidebook is available
at the trailhead. The Grotto Picnic Area and
Hunter Line Cabin are one mile beyond the
Pratt Cabin. Please do not drink the water
or wade in the creek. To protect this fragile
environment, you are required to stay on the
trail.
Guadalupe Peak Trail
Distance: 8.4 miles
Difficulty: Strenuous. Approximately 3,000'
elevation gain, steep, rocky path.
Hike to the “Top of Texas” at 8,751' for spectacular views. Avoid the peak during high
winds and thunderstorms. During warm
temperatures, carry a gallon of water per
person.
High
Low
Inches
Jan
56
34
0.67
Feb
59
36
0.90
Mar
65
41
0.58
Apr
73
48
0.60
May
82
56
0.91
June
88
62
2.18
July
88
64
2.37
Aug
86
63
3.29
Sep
81
58
2.54
Oct
73
50
1.34
Nov
63
41
0.97
Dec
56
33
1.05
Average annual precipitation
for Pine Springs (1980-2003)
4 Visitor Guide
17.4
Preparation is the key to an enjoyable backpacking trip. Be prepared for changing
weather conditions. Carry plenty of water—
there are no water sources in the backcountry. Topographic maps, hikers’ guides, and
information can be found at the Pine Springs
Visitor Center and the Dog Canyon Ranger
Station.
Horseback Riding
Sixty percent of the park’s trails are open to
stock use. A backcountry permit is required
for all stock use. These free permits are issued at the Pine Springs Visitor Center and
Dog Canyon Ranger Station. Stock riding is
limited to day trips only.
Stock corrals are available at Dog Canyon and
near Frijole Ranch. Each has four pens and
will accommodate a maximum of 10 animals.
Reservations may be made two months in
advance by calling 915-828-3251 ext. 2124.
Trailhead
Trail
Distance
Roundtrip
Description
Pine Springs
Devil’s Hall Trail
4.2 miles
Moderate to Strenuous. Hike in Pine Spring Canyon to the Hikers’ Staircase and Devil’s Hall.
After the first mile, the trail drops into the wash and becomes very rocky and uneven. Turn left
and follow the canyon bottom to the Hiker’s Staircase and beyond to the Devil’s Hall. Area beyond Devil’s Hall closed March - August due to sensitive species.
The Bowl
8.5 miles
Strenuous. The Bowl shelters a highcountry conifer forest. Recommended route: Tejas Trail,
Bowl Trail, Hunter Peak, Bear Canyon Trail, Frijole Trail, Tejas Trail (.1mile) back to campground.
Trail climbs 2,500'. Bear Canyon Trail is very rocky and extremely steep.
El Capitán Trail
11.3 miles Moderate to Strenuous. Desert lovers will appreciate the rocky arroyos and open vistas while
skirting along the base of El Capitán. Recommended route: El Capitán Trail, Salt Basin Overlook,
and return to Pine Springs on the El Capitán Trail.
Manzanita Spring
.4 miles
Easy. Path is paved and wheelchair accessible. Hike to a small pond that serves as a desert oasis.
Dragonflies, butterflies, and birds are active here in the warmer months. During winter, bluebirds
frequent the area. Opportunities for chancing upon other wildlife are higher here as well.
Smith Spring Trail
(entire loop)
2.3 miles
Moderate. Look for birds, deer and elk as you pass Manzanita Spring on the way to the shady
oasis of Smith Spring. Trees around Smith Spring include madrones, maples, oaks, chokecherry,
ponderosa pines and others.
McKittrick Nature
Loop
0.9 miles
Moderate. Climb the foothills and learn about the natural history of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Trailside exhibits.
Permian Reef Trail
8.4 miles
Strenuous. For serious geology buffs, this trail has stop markers that can be used with a geology guidebook sold at the Visitor Center. There are excellent views into McKittrick Canyon from
the ridgetop. Trail climbs 2,000'.
Indian Meadow
Nature Loop
0.6 miles
Easy. Enjoy a stroll around a meadow frequented by a variety of birds and other wildlife. Along
the way you will see evidence of recent fires and regrowth.
Marcus Overlook
4.6 miles
Moderate. Follow the Bush Mountain Trail to the ridgetop for a view into West Dog Canyon.
Trail climbs 800'.
Lost Peak
6.4 miles
Strenuous. Climb out of Dog Canyon on the Tejas Trail to visit the conifer forest above. Outstanding views from Lost Peak. Lost Peak is a short distance off trail to the right, before the
horse hitches. Trail climbs 1,500'.
Salt Basin Dunes
(Day Use Only)
3-4 miles
Moderate. Follow the old roadbed from the parking area, for a little over a mile, to the north
end of the dune field. There is one high dune to ascend that some may find difficult. No shade.
Enjoy the contrast of the pure white dunes with the sheer cliffs of the the Guadalupes as a backdrop. Great for sunrise or sunset hikes all year, and daytime hikes during the winter.
Weather
Average
Rainfall
Dog Canyon Campground
Located at the end of New Mexico Highway
137, 70 miles from Carlsbad and 110 miles
from Park Headquarters, at an elevation of
6,290' in a secluded, forested canyon on the
north side of the park. The campground has
nine tent and four RV campsites (including
a wheelchair accessible tent site). There is
one group site for groups of 10-20 people.
Reservations for the group site only can be
made up to two months in advance by calling 915-828-3251 x2124.
Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited.
Camp stoves are allowed. Pack out all your
trash. Pets are not allowed on park trails.
other popular hikes...
Frijole Ranch
Average
Temperature (° F)
Pine Springs Campground
Located near the Pine Springs Visitor
Center, there are twenty tent and nineteen
RV campsites (including a wheelchair accessible tent site) available on a first-come,
first-served basis . Two group campsites are
available for groups of 10-20 people. Reservations (for group sites only) can be made
by phoning 915-828-3251 x2124 up to two
months in advance. Campers planning on
day hiking in McKittrick Canyon, to Guadalupe Peak or the Bowl will want to stay here.
McKittrick
Canyon
Dog Canyon
Salt Basin
Dunes
Hiker Safety for Different Weather Conditions
Lightning may be the most awesome hazard
faced by hikers. In our area, storms are
common from May through September, and
usually occur in the late afternoon or early
evening. You can estimate the distance of a
lightning strike in miles by counting the time
in seconds between flash and sound and
dividing by five.
The effects of being close to a lightning
strike may be minor, such as confusion,
amnesia, numbness, tingling, muscle pain,
temporary loss of hearing or sight, and loss
of consciousness. Severe injuries include
burns, paralysis, coma, and cardiac arrest.
Since injuries may not be obvious initially—
burns and cardiac injury may not appear
until 24 hours after the lightning strike—
medical observation is recommended for all
lightning victims.
Decrease your risk of injury
from lightning:
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Get an early start so that you can finish
your hike before storms erupt.
Be aware of current and predicted
weather. Watch the sky for development of anvil-shaped cumulus clouds.
If a storm is building, descend to lower
elevations.
If a storm occurs, seek shelter. A car or
large building offers good protection.
Tents offer no protection.
Turn off cell phones and other electronic equipment.
If totally in the open, avoid single trees.
Stay off exposed ridges.
When caught in heavy lightning, the
best stance is to crouch with feet close
together, minimizing the opportunity
for ground currents to find a path
through the body. Crouch on a dry
sleeping pad, if available.
Stay out of shallow caves or overhangs.
Large dry