Camping: Guadalupe Mountains

Pine Springs at Sunset

The Pine Springs Campground in Guadalupe Mountains National Park is lovely at sunset (see photo about).  It also offers a great view of Hunter Peak and easy access to multiple hiking trails.  These are all good things.  However.... the wind is no joke (see video).  I strongly advise showing up with a tent which can handle wind (like my Nemo tent: strong poles and a low profile), plenty of stakes, and lines which can tie the tent to rocks.  I had considered taking a 35lb kettlebell out there (though after car consolidation for the road trip, it did not make the cut) and may do it next time (if nothing else, for peace of mind).  The last thing I want to deal with after a day of vigorous hiking is to retrieve my tent from a field of cactus and brush.  

Other notes from the campground: 

• The cell service seems better than it was in 2020.
• If you are wondering what the lights off the east are, the answer is oil wells.
• Remember there is nowhere to buy food for about 50 minutes in any direction, so pack accordingly.  There is potable water by the restroom, but that's a decent walk from the campsites so take water containers.  
• Keep your food secure.  Not only will the critters on the ground attempt to take your food, but the ravens will as well.
• Have a wind screen solution in mind for camp stoves.
• The limit is two tents per site.
• This year, all of our camp neighbors were quiet and polite.  Last year, I was treated to a pair of annoying yet hilarious camp neighbors who probably were stoned as they loudly pontificated about the virtues of a make-your-own-pizza restaurant one wanted to open (just like Kramer dreamed of in Seinfeld).  The quote of the night was "it's just sad how Americans are brainwashed to pick up the phone and order a pizza with whatever toppings they want whenever they want one." (Damn, when you say it that way it does sound like we live in a culinary wasteland.)  Sadly there was no such free entertainment on this last trip.  On the plus side though, most people I've met in this park are friendly and very enthusiastic about enjoying the hiking trails.  
• Seriously, tie that tent down.  

 

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

Fly the Windy Skies

Last time I was in the Pine Springs campground in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, I thought this was going to happen while setting up my tent.   It gets windy out there!  As I said in the previous post, if you go to Pine Springs be ready to deal with the inability to stake down your tent.  Also, you should probably weight it down before it gains lift. 

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Everything You Need to Know to Hike Guadalupe Peak - The Texas State Hig...

Check out this informative video about hiking to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas.  I made it to the top back in 2007.  I had planned a return trip to the top during my last trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, but I ended up spending my hiking day on the Bowl Loop (with side trip to the top of Hunter Peak) which ended up being a great time.  I'll post about that hike at some point, in addition to more about my trips to the park.

In case you are heading out that way now, here are some tips:

• Pine Springs campground is first come/first serve.  Also, the tent sites are hard (too hard for my stakes).  Come prepared to tie your tent down to rocks.  
• Pack in all of your food.  The park's gift shop may sell a few snacks, but the nearest places to Pine Springs campground where you can buy actual food are Van Horn and Carlsbad.  If you are on the western side of the park, there is a store (with pizza) in Dell City.
• Drink lots of water.  This is the desert and your body will lose a lot of water even when it is cool outside.
• Download the Hiking Project app, if you haven't already.  It works offline, so when your phone is in airplane mode or in a no service area the map will still tell you where you are.  
• Don't expect to find electric outlets.  In addition to using your car's charger, bring charging packs if you have them.  

That's all I have to say for now, other than I highly recommend a trip out to this fantastic part of Texas.