Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Hiking McKittrick Canyon & Devil's Hall in one day
We were super excited about hiking Guadalupe Mountains National Park because we were lucky enough to time it perfectly for the fall colors and therefore see McKittrick Canyon Trail at it's best - and I can see why it is often called The Most Beautiful Hike in Texas. Because we were feeling ambitious we tacked on the Devil's Hall trail on the same day.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park was unit #2 out of #419 on our journey to visit them all. See a detailed write up here:
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park McKittrick Ridge
McKittrick Canyon Trail
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 NP - The Pinery and McKittrick Canyon Nature Trails
Day 2
On the next morning of my overnight trip I got a late start. I meant to wake up and do a longer hike but I woke up feeling worn out from the day before. I instead took my time packing up and decided to hike The Pinery Nature Trail. Its an easy paved trail that leaves from directly behind the Visitors Center. There are a lot of interpretive signs along the trail. It is an easy walk to the ruins of The Pinery, a stage stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route in 1858. While only a little of the original building is still standing, it is amazing for being over 150 years old.
After The Pinery, I drove over to McKittrick Canyon Contact Station. It is about a 10 mile drive and what I would call the closest thing Guadalupe Mountains has to a scenic drive. From there I hiked the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail. This trail also has interpretive signs and great views toward McKittrick Canyon. It also displays the desert plants and some fierce Guadalupe winds!
JSAdventure #247 - Texas NP Trip Day 8-1 - Guadalupe Mountains National Park-McKittrick Canyon
10-14-16
Backcountry Camping in The Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, May 2010
Join the adventure of hiking the highcountry of the Guadalupe Mountains. Delight in grand views, diverse landscapes and small pleasures.
Base-camp was set-up at Pine Springs, near the Headquarters Visitor Center. The next morning, I took the Tejas Trail to Pine Top, where I enjoyed the highcountry, hiking the Bush Mountain Trail and the Bowl Trail. Views were spectacular, especially from Hunter Peak (8,368 ft).
A dense forest of ponderosa pine, southwestern white pine, Douglas fir, and aspen thrive in the highcountry. This conifer forest is a relict of about 15,000 years ago when the prevailing climate throughout Texas was cooler and moister. The forest is especially lush in the Bowl, a two-mile-wide depression atop the Guadalupe Mountains.
When visiting the wilderness, remember that human beings are guests . Minimize your impact on the environment. Do not disturb the animals, plants and geologic features.
Royalty free music by Kevin MacLeod. Photography by Ken Kramm, copyright, May 2010.
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 04-18-2016
Stop For A Visit At The Guadalupe Mountains National Park Visitors Center On The Way Home To Ft. Worth, Texas From El Paso, Texas. This Park Is Known For Its Hiking And Backpacking Opportunities In One Of The Nation's Most Pristine Wilderness Areas. 04-18-2016
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This video was created and edited using my iMac & FinalCut Pro. I own everything used in the making of this video. Below is a link to the license agreement with Apple for FinalCut Pro.
Mountain Sun by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (
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Shooting The Light: Guadalupe Mountains National Park Salt Basin Dunes EP3
Day 3 of my trip to GMNP and we went to the west side of the park the Salt Basin Dunes. It is a hour and half drive to get there and another 2 mile hike in to the dunes. Taking the Ebony and shooting Velvia 50. The light was incredible and right as the sun was going down the sand went reddish, of course Velvia just made it explode with color. A few minutes later it completely changed. It was a wonderful end to the day and I hope to get back out there again to photograph more.
Music: Piano Moment: Bensound.com
Slow Motion: Bensound.com
View of El Capitan (Texas, USA)
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and contains the Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,749 feet (2,667 m) in elevation. It also contains the El Capitan, which is a peak located in Culberson County and is shown in this video. The national park covers 135 square miles (350 km2) and is in the same mountain range as Carlsbad Caverns National Park which is located about 25 miles (40 km) to the north in New Mexico.
The Great American Parks Trip: Guadalupe Mountains
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Evan C Rogers:
Kevin MacLeod:
Guadalupe Mountains 2009.wmv
An overnight backpack In Guadalupe Mountain National Park. From Pine Springs to Dog Canyon ranger station via Tejas trail. Night at Marcus and return to Pine Springs via Bush Mountain trail.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park winds
The Guadalupe Mountains' famous winds blowing below Bartlett Peak. For guided backpacking trips, visit Our backpacking service provides all the gear, food, and expert guides.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park 2015
Pine Springs Campground Overview - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
This is just a quick overview of the Pine Springs Campground in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is located between Carlsbad, NM and El Paso, TX. It is in a desert environment and is very exposed to the sun and wind.
Take a look around and what the Pine Springs area looks like. As of posting this video, entrance into the park is $5 and campsites are $8 per night.
CAMPING AT GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
CAMPING AND HIKING AT GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK IN TEXAS.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Guadalupe Peak)
Guadalupe Peak Texas Highpoint Trail is a 8.1 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Carlsbad, New Mexico that offers the chance to see wildlife and is rated as difficult. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round.
Discoveries America National Parks, Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
13th program in the Discoveries America National Parks series takes you to Texas for an intimate look at this president's National Historic site, which includes the Johnson City Visitor's Center, boyhood home & the LBJ Ranch & Texas Whitehouse. Interview with Park Superintendent Russ Whitlock, Texas Whitehouse tour with Park Ranger Alexander Shane and a Show Barn tour with Ranger & ranch hand Clint Harriman.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Jeeping Williams Ranch Road
Visitors Center to Williams Ranch
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas (Driving Version)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas (Driving Version)
**Disclaimer I do not own the rights to the Marty Robbins Song.
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