Guadalupe Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost

Overview

Sunset on the Summit
Photo by mrwsierra

Signature photo by Brian Jenkins.

Texas is a large state, covering an area of more than 268,000 square miles (694117 square kilometers). Little of this area is covered in mountains. However, in the far western part of Texas the land begins to crumple into scattered collections of peaks. The highest of these is an ancient reef rising abruptly from the Chihuahuan Desert floor. These mountains are the Guadalupe Mountains, and at their apex stands the high point of Texas - Guadalupe Peak.

This popular peak, accessible via a well-graded hiking trail, is capped by an odd stainless steel monument placed by American Airlines in the 1950s. Per the inscription on the plaque at its base, the monument was placed to remember both the Butterfield Overland Mail stage line as well as the latter-day stage drivers, the pilots who shuttle airmail about in aircraft.

Standing on top of Guadalupe Peak means the high point of many things: The high point of Texas, of course, as well as the highpoint of the Guadalupe Mountains, as already stated. One also stands on the highpoint of Guadalupe Mountains National Park as well as the highpoint of Culberson County.

Texas Rank: Highest peak in Texas
Prominence: 3,039 feet
USGS Quad: Guadalupe Peak
Recreation/Planning Map: Trails Illustrated #203 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Rank & Prominence Source: Lists of John

Getting There

El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak
Photo by Bob Sihler

The vast majority of visitors to Guadalupe Mountains National Park will arrive by vehicle. El Capitan is accessible via the primary park entrance. The park is located in far west Texas, about 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas. To reach the main entrance, put of El Paso, follow U.S. Highway 62/180 to the park entrance.

El Paso has the nearest major commercial airport, though Albuquerque, New Mexico, would be an option for air travelers, as well.

Red Tape

Welcome to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The entrance fee to this national park is $5.00 per person for adults 16 years of age and older, and is good for 7 days.

Many use restrictions apply in national parks, most notably that dogs are not allowed on most trails and are restricted only to parking lots, campgrounds and interpretive trails or other trails designated as dog-friendly.

Camping & Lodging

Celebrating on the summit
Photo by Koonsy

Front Country Camping

Per the National Park Website:

Pine Springs (Elevation 5,822')

Located just off U.S. Highway 62/180 near the Headquarters Visitor Center, Pine Springs Campground is a simple, desert camping area situated at the base of the mountain.

• Campground conveniences include: potable water, accessible flush-toilet restrooms , utility sink, pay telephones, and a drink machine. There are no showers available in the campground.
• Tent campers have a choice of 20 leveled, gravel sites. Small junipers and oaks partially shade most of the sites and each site has a picnic table. Numbers are limited to 6 people or 2 tents per site.
• The RV camping area is a paved parking lot with 19 sites to choose from. RV sites are defined by painted lines and numbers on the pavement. There are no hook-ups and there is no dump station. RV water tanks can be filled from an outside water faucet near the registration board. RV campsite #21 is wheelchair accessible.

When you arrive, select a campsite, then pay at the self-registration board near the restrooms, or fees may be paid by credit card at the Headquarters Visitor Center. All sites are on a first come, first served basis. The fee is $8.00 per night per site, $4.00 for Golden Age (Senior) and Golden Access Passport holders.

Sunrise at Pine Springs Campground
Photo by TJ311

Backcountry Camping

Permits, available at the visitors center, are required for the limited backcountry camping in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and stays are limited to 3 nights. All water must be carried into the backcountry. Even if you manage to find potable water on top of this well-drained limestone escarpment, park rules dictate that the water be left for wildlife. It is recommended to bring one gallon of water per person, per day. The nearest backcountry campsite to this mountain is the appropriately named Guadalupe Peak Campground. It is popular and the permits used rapidly in high season.

Weather & Seasons

Guadalupe Mountains in the Mist
Photo by William Marler

• Summers are hot, though the desert nights cool down nicely at this elevation. Keep an eye out for afternoon monsoon storms in late summer.

• Autumn is generally cool and calm with pleasant fall colors.

• Winter can bring warm sunny days but bitter cold nights and even fog, snow and freezing rain.

• In a park notorious for high winds, spring brings some of the gustiest conditions. The park frequently posts high winds warnings in springtime.