Hiking: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

On the Tejas Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains

Have you wondered where the highest point in Texas is located?  It's Guadalupe Peak, way out in the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas.  You can see the backside of it in the above photo which I took while hiking in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO).  The park is located about 50 miles north of Van Horn (which is about 120 miles from El Paso on I-10) and is relatively close to Carlsbad (home of the eponymous caverns).  Why am I posting about this?  I'm going in  2022 (relatively early, before it's too hot).

I've hiked in the park twice.  The first time was to the top of Guadalupe Peak.  The second time, I did the Bowl Loop (short version) which included going to the top of Hunter Peak and this (pictured above) sunset hike down the Tejas Trail.  On the second trip I also hiked Devil's Hall and visited the sand dunes (on the other side of the park, near Dell City).  Not only do I recommend visiting GUMO, but I also recommend any of the above excursions.  

Here are a few thoughts, compressed into bullet points instead of flowing prose:

• You must now reserve a campsite in the Pine Springs campground.  The freewheeling days of first-come-first-serve are over.  
• See my previous post on hiking up Guadalupe Peak.   Obviously, the above bullet point supersedes the previous point on Pine Springs.  Also, if you camp on the peak trail (backpacking style) you must now pack out your own solid waste (like you might do for your dog at the dog park).
• I highly recommend taking hiking poles.  There are plenty of areas with loose rocks and an incline.  My poles kept me from doing a face-plant while walking down the Tejas Trail.
• Pack plenty of water.   On the trails I have hiked, there is none.   Also, it's the desert and you will lose more water than you think.  
• Another thing about the trails: the Guadalupe Peak trail is well-trafficked.   Not so much for the other trails I've been on.  When I hiked up to the Bowl, I ran into one person over the course of several hours.  Cell coverage is almost non-existent, so if you go alone then let someone know where you're going.  
• Visit the Salt Basin Dunes at sunset.  The sight of the twilight on the sides of the cliff walls below the peak is fantastic.  

These are my preliminary thoughts as I'm planning for the upcoming trip.  I'll post an update about the trip (should it reveal itself to be a post-worthy experience).  

Looking East, From Top of Hunter Peak

Backside of Guadalupe Peak, Seen From Tejas Trail