Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The park is in west Texas and is about 110 miles east of El Paso and 50 miles south of Carlsbad. Weather is a factor here as the park is subject to high winds and weather changes. When I visited it was very windy day 1 and the low was in the 40’s at night. High temperature was in the 80’s both days. Driving west to the park you can see the mountains from miles away and that is a nice change of scenery from the flat drive which is most of Texas from Dallas where I began my trip. Cell phone coverage is spotty at best but that is the beauty of being in nature you can disconnect. It is also very dark so the night sky is filled with stars for your viewing pleasure.

Frijole trail – trail through the mountain and has some steep parts that make it a bit rough but much of the hike is at a small incline/decline.  You get some great views from the West side of the park to the West.  The trail is accessed from the Pine Springs Campground and the Tejas trail.  The trail markers are really good and I did not need my glasses to read!  Trail is 5.5 miles and is moderate hike.

Tejas trail – is right from the Pine Springs Campground and is a nice easy hike through a dry river bed and it was the only place that I saw wildlife, 3 deer next to the trail.

Guadaloupe Peak – trail is to the “top of Texas” as the peak is the highest point in Texas.  The trail head is at Pine Springs Campground and is rates at 8.4 miles and a strenuous hike.  I clocked it at closer to 10 miles and it sure is strenuous for a fat old guy like me.  The walk up was 3.5 hours and the walk down was 2.5 hours, guess not stopping to catch my breath made the down easier.  During the walk, I met two buddies who went to first grade together in Paris, TX walking up.  Jeff and Johnny were the two and I have to say that Johnny was determined to get to the top and he did make it there.  I suggest that if you are doing this hike start early in the AM due to the heat in the afternoon and also the peak is subject to high winds and thunderstorms.  A few places during the hike you have to scramble a bit but for the most part is it up the entire way to the top.  The top is 8,752 feet above sea level.  Along the way there are a few places that ask horse back riders to dismount and lead their horses but I did not see any horses and not sure I would want to ride a horse in that terrain.  Like all of the trails here it was well marked and I had not issue following the trail to the top or down.  A few placed on the way up and down I had to look before I went but I am sure it was due to me being so tired.  The workout app on my watch put me at all time highs today and tomorrow I think I may feel the hike.  

McKittrick Canyon – I did not go on this trail but am told by some campers it is a nice hike and you can see an old cabin.

Pine Springs Campground – restroom facilities are very nice and there is a sink washing area near the restrooms.  The facilities have hand dryers to make it extra special.  The tent and RV areas are segregated with the tent area having picnic tables and much more brush in the sites.  The RV area is a big parking lot with a bathroom.  Easy access to many of the trails are here in the campground.  The visitor center is on the drive into the campground so get your passport stamped before coming to the campground.  Sites are first come first serve so get here early if it is the weekend.  A camper told me Sunday was sold out but Monday when I arrived there was plenty of spots.  If you have to leave your site make sure you mark it so someone does not take your site over when you are not at the site.  Most of the RV area does not have picnic table which is a bummer but if you have an RV you just have to eat inside.  I did notice that the RV sites along the edge of the campground do have picnic tables so if you can get one of them you can enjoy dinner outside.