My Life Outdoors

This summer I am taking a group of teenagers Backpaking in the Arapaho National Forest outside of Denver Colorado. We plan to spend 3 nights in the backcountry and summit a 13,000 foot mountain. Many of these young people have never been backpacking, or camping and some have never even been hiking. I knew many of them had signed up without knowing what they were getting themselves into. So as a “warm-up” hike we headed out to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to summit Guadalupe Peak. Click here to read my previous Guadalupe Peak summit backpacking trip.

On the Summit of Guadalupe Peak

I use the word “warm-up” loosely. A day hike to the summit of Guadalupe peak climbs over 3000 feet in just over four miles. Many people who have climbed Guadalupe Peak say it is tougher than anything you might encounter in Colorado. I don’t know about that (my Colorado hiking experience is very limited). But I do know we will be in higher altitude in Colorado and have heavier packs. So I chose Guadalupe peak to confirm the teens that were up for the challenge and discourage the ones who are not. All without saying a word… I was going to let the mountain do the convincing.

Pine Springs Canyon near the base of Guadalupe Peak

So on the first day of National Parks Week, 16 teens and 6 adults started off climbing 8,751 foot (or 8749 foot depending on who you ask) Guadalupe Peak , the highest peak in Texas. With free admission into the park it started off as a crowded day. We arrived about 9:00 am and already one parking lot was full. We had to park in overflow parking. This extended our hike by a little but, what ‘s a half mile when you plan on hiking eight?

As we headed up the trail I could already hear some huffing and puffing from the young people behind me. The first mile of the Guadalupe peak trail is some of the steepest the entire hike. You gain a 1,000 feet in under 7/10 of a mile. Before we had gone ½ mile I already had one teen and one adult heading back for the parking lot.

The view along the first mile of Guadalupe Peak Trail

Posing on a precarious rock

Posing on a precarious rock

Looking back north on the Guadalupe Peak Trail

Looking East on the Guadalupe Peak Trail. You can see the contrast between the northern and southern facing slopes.

Looking north through the Guadalupe Campsite meadow at Hunter Peak.

The rest of us pressed on, slowly. Before we had reached 2 miles we stopped to eat lunch in the shade of the mountain. I knew most of this hike still lay before us…but I didn’t want to push anyone to hard. As we continued it became evident who was enjoying themselves and who was not. We stopped to take a group picture on the highest bridge in Texas. So far everyone was still with us, but some where considering turning around. We were now less than a mile from the summit and we encouraged everyone to push on just a little further to the top.

The Group on the Highest Bridge in Texas

On the last push toward the summit

Looking back at the Bridge

Looking down on the Guadalupe Peak backcountry campsites

view to the west down Guadalupe Canyon

As we rounded the corner to the summit we found tons of people up there. Luckily Guadalupe Peak has a large summit where we could all spread out. I headed to the west end of the summit where Guadalupe Peak drops abruptly to the desert floor. From there I could see the Salt Flats and Williams Ranch. On a clear day you can see Sierra Blanca, but not today. All the smoke from the Fort Davis Fires where making things hazy. We spent 30 to 45 minutes on the summit. By the time I had rejoined the rest of our group everyone else was gone. We had about 10 min with the summit all to ourselves.

Approaching the Summit

Some of the group pose for a picture just below the summit

Salt Flats to the East. The Guadalupe mountains used to be a limestone reef when this area was covered by ocean. The salt flats were formed when the ocean receded and water gathered in low lying areas. The water eventually evaporated leaving the salt.

El Capitan viewed from Guadalupe Peak.

Cactus Flowers on the Summit

As we headed down I was impressed that no one else had turned back after our initial two. Everyone was tired with sore feet. Some vowed never to do anything like this ever again. But many others were excited for our upcoming trip to Colorado.

Heading back down

Guadalupe Peak Trail

The Hike:
Starting Elevation: 5734 feet
Ending Elevation: 8751 feet
Elevation Gain: 3017 feet
Trail Length: 4.2 miles (one way)
Fee: Entrance fee is $5.00 per person for adults 16 years of age and older
GPS file: GPX of Guadalupe peak Trail

Resources:
I use both the Map and Guide book featured below when planning my many trips to the Guadalupe Mountains. I highly recommend them to anyone wishing to hike there. Purchase them through these links and help support MyLifeOutdoors.

Getting There:
Trailhead:  31°53’47.95″N 104°49’42.84″W
Highest Bridge In Texas:  31°53’31.95″N 104°51’17.04″W
Summit:  31°53’29.09″N 104°51’38.74″W

Related Post:
Guadalupe Peak – 8,749 feet – Highest point in Texas.

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