Guadalupe Peak Trail

Trail
4.20 Miles
3000 Feet
$5.00
4point5stars (4.55)14
4stars (4.25)
3stars (3.18)
No
No
No
N/A
Pine Springs
Culberson
More Info
Photos
Summit View #4
View #4 from the summit. (Photo by Blaze)
Summit View #3
View #3 from the summit. (Photo by Blaze)
Summit View #2
View #2 from the summit. (Photo by Blaze)
Summit View #1
View #1 from the summit. (Photo by Blaze)
Summit
View of the top. (Photo by Blaze)
Rest Stop At "The Bridge"
Photo of me at "the bridge" near the summit. (Photo by Blaze)
Trailhead
View of the trailhead near Pine Springs campground. (Photo by Blaze)
3D Overview Of The Trail
This photo shows the path/ascent of the trail. (Photo by Blaze)
Switchbacks
The trail is a series of strenuous switchbacks. Stop periodically to admire the view. (Photo by Blaze)
View From The Top
From the summit, you look down at the massive El Capitan and can see for many, mahy miles on a clear day. (Photo by Blaze)
Summit
There is a pyramid-shaped monument at the summit. The register is in the ammo box seen near my right boot. (Photo by Blaze)
Bridge
There is one bridge along the trail in a section of steep cliffs. If you slip or faint, your fall could be fatal so exercise caution. (Photo by Blaze)

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Log Entries
Top Of Texas
By Blaze on 10/9/2014
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 8.50 Miles Duration: 7 hours, 23 minutes

I ascended Guadalupe Peak (for a 2nd time) with my girlfriend.  We got a late (2:15pm) start and my GF didn't have a lot of hiking experience, especially with mountains, so I carried a full pack with provisions in the event we had to camp overnight.  So we took our time and enjoyed the journey.  The weather was AWESOME! - blue skies, little/no wind, and sunshine.  It was a magical moment at the summit as the sun was starting to set.  We decided not to camp overnight so we did most of the descent slowly in the dark with our headlamps.  It was one of the best hikes I've ever done, especially since I was in good company.

Standing On The Top Of Texas
By Blaze on 5/21/2013
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 8.70 Miles Duration: 6 hours, 3 minutes

After year of wanting to climb Guadalupe Peak, I finally made it happen!  For me, this was an item on my Bucket List.  Doing this trail was a major accomplishment on my list.

My original plan was to climb the peak, descend, ascend Hunter's Peak via the Tejas Trail, camp at Pine Top and spend 4 days backpacking and camping in the backcountry.  Consequently, I ascended Guadalupe Peak fully packed out with a 35 lb load.  Needless to say, my overly ambitious plan didn't happen, lol.  The old adage, "ounces lead to pounds and pounds lead to pain", became very true and something I experienced first hand and forced me to change my plans.

Climbing Guadalupe Peak took a lot of effort and reminded me of my painful slog up Pike's Peak in Colorado back in 2008, only in much hotter conditions and a lot less shade.  Fortunately, my trekking poles helped immensely by converting me from an overconfident biped into a humbled, laboring quadruped.  By the time I descended Guadalupe Peak, I was spent.  My legs were shaking uncontrollably and I was forced to change my plans by camping down below at Pine Springs campground.  Actually, camping isn't the right word.  It was more like going into shock and passing out from overexertion in my tent at Pine Springs campground, lol.

The trail is easy to follow and a series of switchbacks that seemingly never end.  The terrain changes along the way from desert vegetation to pines.  There are no distance markers along the way and the "brochure map" they provide you at the Visitor's Center is lacking.  It does not have many topographical features and trail distances are not indicated on the map (although some of the popular routes and distances are described in verbiage in the brochure).  A very good topographical map made by National Geographic is available for purchase in the Visitor's Center for $20.  It is costly, but I still recommend you get one if you're going to hike the less frequented trails in the backcountry.  This is wild, rugged, remote country which demands a good map!

Along the way up and down the trail, you are afforded spectacular views of the adjacent canyons, mountains and surrounding area below.  You will pass the cutoff to the Guadalupe campground about 4/5th of the way up.  If you plan to camp here, you must first obtain a backcountry permit from the Visitor's Center.  It is free and it helps the rangers know where everyone is.

The view from the top is incredible and extremely rewarding.  On a clear day, you can see 40-50 miles.  Knowing that you are standing at the highest point in the great state of Texas is a cool feeling, too.  Be sure to sign the register!  It can be found in an old ammo container next to the pyramid monument at the summit.

A word about weather.  Be advised that weather can change very quickly and winds can gust at high speeds.  I talked to one guy that camped overnight at Guadalupe campground and he told me the winds were gusting around 30 mph at night.  Rangers later told me that sometimes the wind can gust 60-70 mph or more.  Lightning, rain, hail and snow are all possible.

So, if you're camping, be sure to stake your tent down tautly and bring long, solid tent stakes that can penetrate hard, rocky soil.  If you bring small, aluminum stakes or thin, shepherd's hook stakes, they will either break or bend miserably when attempting to drive them into the ground.

If you're hiking during high winds, be very careful as the trail is narrow in spots with steep drop-offs of several hundred feet.  If you're carrying a heavy pack, the change in your center of gravity can throw your balance off.  If you slip or faint, it could easily lead to serious injury or death.

Warning:  Climbing the peak is harder that it looks!  Even if you make it, the descent is hard, too.  Do not attempt this trail if you have health issues or are not in shape.  You will put yourself and rescuers in harm's way.  People get into trouble all the time in this park.  Also, be sure to take a lot of water.  You will need more than you realize, especially during the hotter months.  The park recommends you take 1 gallon per person per day (Note:  If you hike long distances, you will need even more).  Some people attempt to ascend the peak woefully unprepared.  Do not be one of them.

By Rowdius on 3/19/2010
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 9.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Amazing
By ALP on 3/12/2010
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 5stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 9.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Tough Hike, but enjoyable
By rowdy on 6/28/2008
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 10.30 Miles Duration: 6 hours, 30 minutes

This hike will give you a workout.  This being the first time we had hiked it we really didn't know what to expect.  Not being able to see the peak until later in the hike was sometimes frustrating.  You would think you were almost there and go around the bend to see you had further to go than you thought.  The weather was great for the day.  It would get pretty hot and then a cloud would come over or a cool breeze would cool you down.  There were a few other hikers but not too many.  Overall it was a great challenge.  The trails were well marked and the views were spectacular.  I would recommend this trail to an experienced hiker but not to the novice.  The monument at the top was a great place to have lunch.

Wow
By wardbd1 on 10/19/2007
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 9.00 Miles Duration: 6 hours
By kernel on 6/14/2007
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 5stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 9.00 Miles Duration: 4 minutes

Beautiful country. Quite a few people on the trail but still very peaceful.

On Top of Texas
By LVX on 12/28/2005
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 9.00 Miles Duration: N/A
We went out just after Christmas (2005). We had never been there before so we really didn't know what to expect. We were really lucky, it was a perfect day. This hike is fairly strenuous but worth the effort.
Incredible Hike!
By DebnJohn on 10/17/2005
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4point5stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 8.40 Miles Duration: N/A
What an exhilarating hike! We hiked up on a warm mid-80s(at bottom) Friday, August 12th. Left base at ~10:30am and was perspiring most of the way up. Boy is this trail steep. Steeper than the Basin hikes at Big Bend. ~3 hrs up, and ~ 2 hrs down. Stopped close to the campground on the way up and had a wonderful picnic lunch at an area of incredible scenery. Was a bit cooler up here, but still warm enough to take off my shirt and let it dry. There were thunderclouds around us in the Guadalupe area, and even had a thunder scare up towards the peak, but no way were we going to go back down now. Thankfully the thunderstorm proceded northeast away from the peak after developing across the canyon in the bowl area. The ladybugs up at the top were incredible and so dense on the bushes. Had a nice rest at the top and took plenty of pictures. We did have a brief sprinkle on the way back down when we were within sight of the parking area. We were thankful to have ponchos with us. We would love to go back out there next year and try the bowl loop hike and maybe McKittrick Canyon.
Must Hike!
By adrianrsus on 8/12/2005
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4point5stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 8.40 Miles Duration: N/A
This is the ablolute best hike in Texas. If you live in Texas and hike, you must visit The Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This hike has it all. The trail is well established, the scenery is great, and the view from "the top of Texas" is unbeatable. Plus once you get to the tree line, it gets much cooler. There are several other hikes in the park but this one is a must.

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Recommended Item
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Your price: $16.99 Buy Now
As the first and only comprehensive hiking guide to all 130 miles of trails in these two national parks, this book features Carlsbad's improved above-ground hiking trail system as well as routes in the caverns and Guadalupe's wild backcountry. It also includes written trail descriptions, elevation charts, photos, and detailed topographic maps. Hiking Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains National Park is packed with all the information you need to plan your next trip in these two uncrowded and remote national parks.