Texas: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas, east of El Paso. The mountain range includes Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet (2,667 m), and El Capitan which was used as a landmark by travelers along the route later followed by the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach line. The ruins of an old stagecoach station stand near the Pine Springs visitor center. The restored Frijole Ranch contains a small museum of local ranching history and is the trailhead for Smith Spring. The park covers 86,367 acres (134.9 sq mi; 349.5 km2) in the same mountain range as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 25 miles (40 km) to the north in New Mexico. The Guadalupe Peak Trail winds through pinyon pine and Douglas-fir forests as it ascends over 3,000 feet (910 m) to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, with views of El Capitan and the Chihuahuan Desert.
The park also contains McKittrick Canyon. A trail in the canyon leads to a stone cabin built in the early 1930s as the vacation home of Wallace Pratt, a petroleum geologist who donated land to establish the park.
Dog Canyon, on the northern park boundary at the Texas-New Mexico State line, is accessed via Carlsbad, New Mexico or Dell City, Texas. Camping is available at the Pine Springs campground and at Dog Canyon. A public corral for livestock is available by reservation.
Gypsum sand dunes lie on the west side of the park near Dell City. A rough four-wheel drive road leads to the Williams Ranch.
Archaeological evidence has shown that people lived over 10,000 years ago in and among the many caves and alcoves. Hunter-gatherers followed large game and collected edible vegetation. This conclusion is supported by the discovery of projectile points, baskets, pottery, and rock art.
The first Europeans to arrive in the area were the Spanish in the 16th century, introducing horses; nomadic indigenous tribes like the Apaches soon found them an asset for hunting and migrating. Mescalero Apaches followed game and harvested the agave (or mescal) for food and fiber (Mescalero is Spanish for mescal-maker). Agave roasting pits and other artifacts of Mescalero culture can be found in the park.
The Mescalero Apaches remained in the mountains through the mid-19th century, but they were challenged by an American transportation route at the end of the American Civil War. During the 1840s and 1850s many people immigrating west crossed the area. In 1858, Pinery Station was constructed near Pine Springs for the Butterfield Overland Mail. The Butterfield Overland Mail traveled over Guadalupe Pass located at 5,534 ft (1,687 m) above sea level. The 9th Cavalry Regiment was ordered to the area to stop Indian raids on settlements and mail stage route. During the winter of 1869, Lt. H.B. Cushing led his troops into the Guadalupe Mountains and destroyed two Mescalero Apache camps. They were eventually driven out of the area and into US reservations.
Felix McKittrick was one of the first European settlers in the Guadalupe Mountains; he worked cattle during the 1870s. McKittrick Canyon is thought to be named after him.
In 1921, Wallace Pratt, a geologist for Humble Oil and Refining Company, was impressed by the beauty of McKittrick Canyon and bought the land to build two houses there. Both were used as summer homes by Pratt and his family up until 1960. Wallace Pratt donated about 6,000 acres (9.4 sq mi; 24.3 km2) of McKittrick Canyon which became part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which was dedicated and formally opened to the public in September, 1972.
There are three major ecosystems contained within the mountain range. First of all, deserts exhibit salt flats on the western side of the National Park and creosote desert, with low elevations on the east covered with grassland, pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and junipers such as alligator juniper (J. deppeana) and one-seeded juniper (J. monosperma). Secondly, canyon interiors such as McKittrick, Bear, and Pine Springs Canyon on the southeast end exhibit maple, ash, chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), and other deciduous trees. These trees are able to grow in the desert due to springs of water recharged by wet uplands. Finally, alpine uplands known as 'The Bowl' exceeding elevations of 7,000 ft (2,100 m) are clothed with denser forests of ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis), and Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii subsp. glauca), with small stands of aspen.
The range contains many large cave systems, including Carlsbad Caverns and Lechuguilla Cave.
Guadalupe Mountains March 2014
On March 28-29, 2014 I went to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and hiked to Bush Mountain, along the Guadalupe Peak Horse Trail, and explored around Frijole Ranch.
To read about this trip go to
Photos:
Hiking Hunter Peak and Guadalupe Peak - Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX
I hiked Hunter Peak for the first time, and Guadalupe Peak for the fourth time, during this video. I started Hunter around 2:30 pm and got back to the parking lot after Guadalupe at about 9:10 pm. The weather was great - not too hot and the air was clear.
Frijole Ranch History Museum
Video Promocional de Frijole Ranch, Museo que forma parte de las atracciones del Guadalupe Mountains National Park, ubicado en la periferia de El Paso Texas y colinda con Carlsbard Nuevo México.
Primer Video De Una Serie de 5, proyecto elaborado durante mi intercambio como Voluntario para el SCA y el Departamento Del Interior de Los Estados Unidos De América.
Video Escrito, Dirigido y Editado por: Ricardo Garza y José Grageda.
Texas, EUA
Junio 2008
Smith Spring - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Smith Spring is a great day hike at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is fairly easy (compared to other hikes at GUMO). The spring is an amazing place. Especially when you consider the harsh environment it is surrounded by. Its a special place.
On this trip, I also went off trail to a small cave near Smith Spring. I believe the cave used to be used as a sheep pen back in the ranching days of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Thanks for watching guys. Keep your eyes out for a lot of videos I have coming from Guadalupe Mountains.
Frijole Ranch, Manzanita Springs & Smith Springs Hike
Trail Description for Smith Springs Loop in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park which includes hiking to Frijole Ranch and Manzanita Springs.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park 2012
My trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas on November 2-4, 2012. I hiked Devil's Hall, Hunter Peak (including the Tejas, Bowl, Bear Canyon, and Frijole trails), Smith and Manzanita springs, and McKittrick Canyon and partway up to McKittrick Ridge.
To read about this trip go to here for Devil's Hall
Hunter Peak
Smith Spring
Photos:
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Hunter Peak in Guadalupe Mountains
Hiking to the summit of Hunter Peak, the sixth highest point in Texas in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I hiked from Pine Springs up via the Tejas Trail, across to the peak via the Bowl Trail, and back to the trailhead via the Bowl, Bear Canyon, and Frijole trails.
To read about this trip go to
To download pictures please visit
or here
Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Dog Canyon to Pine Springs
Day 3
The third day I woke up at Dog Canyon planning on hiking less than 10 miles to Pine Top. But I quickly decided to push over 16 miles to Pine Springs. My main reason was to carry less water with me.
I hiked up the Tejas trail to the Juniper trail. I then hike the Bowl and summit Hunter Peak. I finally hike down Bear Canyon to Frijole Ranch and finish the day on the Foothills trail. I hike a total of 16.3 miles.
A Day at Devils Hall- Guadalupe Mountains
Went for a little hike in the Guadalupe Mountains so I made a video of the view I had!
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Raising the Colors at Guadalupe Mountains National Park
El Capitan and the Flag, how much more patriotic can it be!
Guadalupe Mountains National Park pt 2
On October 8th, 2012, We hiked to Guadalupe Peak then visited Frijole Ranch and Smith Springs in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains McKittrick Canyon
Our trip to the Guadalupe Mountains in the fall of 2011.
Williams Ranch 4WD: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Because of the windy conditions, we decided to postpone our hike and instead take a four-wheel drive along the road to Williams Ranch.
Smith Spring Guadalupe Mountains
Hiking the Smith Spring Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park from Frijole Ranch to Manzanita Spring and on to Smith Spring.
To read about this trip go to
To download pictures please visit
or here
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Devil's Hall Trail)
The Devil’s Hall Trail is a relatively easy hike up Pine Spring Canyon to a narrow, scenic canyon. It is a particularly beautiful hike in the fall when the big-toothed maple trees in the canyon are turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow. Any time of year hikers can marvel at the large cliffs rising up to Guadalupe Peak and the geological processes that created Devil’s Hall and the Hiker’s Staircase.
Salt Basin Loop - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Part 1 of 3 of my September trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I hiked the Salt Basin Loop. I parked my car off the highway and walked up the old road to a wash and then connected to the Salt Basin Loop. This loop is a walk along the foothills of the Guads and under El Capitan. Some great views of the park. Very underrated section. The trail was overgrown but doable. Found some old Mescalero Apache signs in the rocks at the overlook.
Be sure and check out part 2 of my trip The Permian Reef Trail.
And part 3 of my trip McKittrick Canyon and McKittrick Ridge.
National Park Guadalupe Mountains
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an American national park in the Guadalupe Mountains, east of El Paso, Texas.
The mountain range includes Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet , and El Capitan used as a landmark by travelers on the route later followed by the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach line.
The ruins of a stagecoach station stand near the Pine Springs visitor center.
The restored Frijole Ranch contains a small museum of local history and is the trailhead for Smith Spring.
The park covers 86,367 acres in the same mountain range as Carlsbad Caverns National Park, about 25 miles to the north in New Mexico.
The Guadalupe Peak Trail winds through pinyon pine and Douglas-fir forests as it ascends over 3,000 feet to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, with views of El Capitan and the Chihuahuan Desert.
The McKittrick Canyon trail leads to a stone cabin built in the early 1930s as the vacation home of Wallace Pratt, a petroleum geologist who donated the land.
Dog Canyon, on the northern park boundary at the Texas-New Mexico State line, is accessed via Carlsbad, New Mexico or Dell City, Texas.
Camping is available at the Pine Springs campground and at Dog Canyon.
A public corral for livestock is available by reservation.
The Gypsum sand dunes lie on the west side of the park near Dell City.
A rough four-wheel drive road leads to the Williams Ranch.
The Guadalupe Mountains give their name to the Guadalupian series in the Permian period.
The International Commission on Stratigraphy estimates the mountain range's age at 272–260 Mya.
The mountains have had a tumultuous history for thousands of years.
Archaeological evidence shows that people have lived there lived over 10,000 years in and among the many caves and alcoves.
Hunter-gatherers followed large game and collected edible vegetation, as evidenced by the discovery of projectile points, baskets, pottery and rock art
The first Europeans to arrive in the area were the Spanish in the 16th century, but they did not make serious attempts to settle in the area.
The Spanish introduced horses; nomadic indigenous tribes like the Apaches soon found them an asset for hunting and migrating.
Mescalero Apaches followed game and harvested the agave for food and fiber .
Agave roasting pits and other artifacts of Mescalero culture can be found in the park.
The Mescalero Apaches occupied the mountains through the mid-19th century, but were challenged by an American transportation route at the end of the American Civil War.
During the 1840s and 1850s, many immigrants travelling west crossed the area.
In 1858, Pinery Station was constructed near Pine Springs for the Butterfield Overland Mail.
The Butterfield Overland Mail crossed the Guadalupe Pass located at 5,534 ft above sea level.
The 9th Cavalry Regiment was ordered to the area to stop Indian raids on settlements and mail stage route.
During the winter of 1869, Lt. H.B.
Cushing led his troops into the Guadalupe Mountains and destroyed two Mescalero Apache camps.
They were eventually driven out of the area and into US reservations.
Felix McKittrick was one of the first European settlers in the Guadalupe Mountains; he worked cattle during the 1870s.
McKittrick Canyon is thought to be named after him.
Frijole Ranch was the first permanent ranch house, constructed in 1876 by the Rader brothers.
It became the only major building in the region and served as a community center and regional post office from 1916 to 1942.
Today, it has been restored and serves as a cultural museum.
In 1908 Williams Ranch House was built, and it was named after one of its inhabitants, James Adolphus Williams.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park Family Hike
Family hike spring break 2018 Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Frijole - Bear Canyon - The Bowl - Tejas trails.
▪️camera: iPhone X
▪️edited: iMovie
▪️music: As it Happens soundtrack