Anybody done this lately?
Any tips?
Gracias
Any tips?
Gracias
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Planning to hike Guadalupe Peak Oct. 14th
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Last: 3 mo ago by Windy City Ag
It takes a long time. It is fun. I changed into crocs for the descent.
Enjoy it!
Enjoy it!
6hrs up 4 hrs down when I did it back in 2018, plan on going in either November or December when it gets cooler.
Wear shoes with decent traction. My son was 10 when we hiked it. I didn't check his shoes and he slipped quite a bit on the dusty rock.
Depends on your fitness level. I can get to the top and back to Pine Springs in 5 hours or so. Most people are 4 up and 2-3 down. Bring or wear layers, as the conditions at the peak can be surprisingly different from the valley.
I hope you hit color season. You might be a week or two early for the big show.
If you are experienced at hiking and equip properly, I've been told sunrises and sunsets at the peak are awesome. It's on my bucket list to catch one next time I am there.
Take plenty of water. You'll only have what you carry.
There are several false summits nearing the top. You'll think you are close and find another ridge. When you get there, it's actually almost a surprise.
I hope you hit color season. You might be a week or two early for the big show.
If you are experienced at hiking and equip properly, I've been told sunrises and sunsets at the peak are awesome. It's on my bucket list to catch one next time I am there.
Take plenty of water. You'll only have what you carry.
There are several false summits nearing the top. You'll think you are close and find another ridge. When you get there, it's actually almost a surprise.
Me and my 3 hunting buddies did it in March '24. It was amazing. Took us about 3:45/4 hrs up and around 1.5 hrs down. Had lunch at the top. Highly recommended trekking poles. Good hiking shoes obviously. Have fun!
Will it be open given the govt shutdown?
Watch weather
Water and snacks
Trekking poles
Layers
Dbl check with govt shutdown … was out at big bend during Clinton shutdown and could not get in
Water and snacks
Trekking poles
Layers
Dbl check with govt shutdown … was out at big bend during Clinton shutdown and could not get in
Just did this last month... it was awesome.
It's a long hike (about 4 hours up and 3 hours down) but totally worth it - definitely a bucket list hike.
TAKE TREKKING POLES!!!
Leave early in the morning before sunrise. Take lots of water (I have a 3L backpack), couple of Gatorades and plenty of snacks. Lunch at the peak is a must - enjoy your break (we stayed for an hour) and soak it all in..
Be sure to download the All-Trails app so you can track your progress.
It's a long hike (about 4 hours up and 3 hours down) but totally worth it - definitely a bucket list hike.
TAKE TREKKING POLES!!!
Leave early in the morning before sunrise. Take lots of water (I have a 3L backpack), couple of Gatorades and plenty of snacks. Lunch at the peak is a must - enjoy your break (we stayed for an hour) and soak it all in..
Be sure to download the All-Trails app so you can track your progress.
NoahAg said:
Wear shoes with decent traction. My son was 10 when we hiked it. I didn't check his shoes and he slipped quite a bit on the dusty rock.
Heres the 'good section'...
Not many smooth/flat sections, it's kinda like taking the stairs up a 265-story building.
https://texashighways.com/outdoors/parks/how-three-men-in-wheelchairs-summited-guadalupe-peak-in-the-early-1980s/
For some additional perspective you'll appreciate after you've done it.
For some additional perspective you'll appreciate after you've done it.
Sunrise was beautiful! I went during the week and had the mountain to myself.
Started at 2am to be sure I made it by sunrise. Ended up having enough time to rest and get cold.
Started at 2am to be sure I made it by sunrise. Ended up having enough time to rest and get cold.
To me the hardest part of the hike is the switchbacks and the final slog on the way down. Seems endless and the height of many of the step-downs is accentuated and jarring on the knees.
I've done it four times since 1986 (the Texas sesquicentennial). Most recent November 2024 (nine months after open-heart surgery).
Have fun!
I've done it four times since 1986 (the Texas sesquicentennial). Most recent November 2024 (nine months after open-heart surgery).
Have fun!
Didn't do Guadalupe Peak itself, but back in March I did this hike. You get to see Guadalupe Peak in all its glory and have a lot more open trails and time to think about how heavy all the water you have to tote feels.
It's no lie about the false summits
They paid for their wars with your tax dollars and also with your untaxed dollars. Inflation is theft.
Start your hike off cold. In other words if it's chilly then don't layer up too early.
Water
Snacks
Good shoes
Trekking poles
I wore Keen hiking shoes when I did it. The rocks killed the soles of my feet on the trip down. They were sore for days.
I wish I had taken trekking poles with me to save wear & tear on my knees.
Don't make a race out of it. Stop and take pics and enjoy the different views along the way.
Don't let the switchbacks at the beginning of the trail get in your head. It gets better when you're through them.
Snacks
Good shoes
Trekking poles
I wore Keen hiking shoes when I did it. The rocks killed the soles of my feet on the trip down. They were sore for days.
I wish I had taken trekking poles with me to save wear & tear on my knees.
Don't make a race out of it. Stop and take pics and enjoy the different views along the way.
Don't let the switchbacks at the beginning of the trail get in your head. It gets better when you're through them.
Also, pack a headlamp. If it turns out you are hiking down in the dark, you will want this.
Awesome experience!
I love this climb. It is deceptively challenging but well worth it. It gets quite windy in some places and layering is a must this time of year. I did this hike with my daughter (Class of '25) two years ago. We had a blast and took it slow; had lunch at the summit and took some pictures. Like a dumbass, I thought it would be cool to balance my Aggie ring on the apex of the marker and take a pic. Bad idea. It fell off and bounced all around the rocks below the marker. It took me a minute to find it and when I did id discovered the seal cap had come off. I was absolutely devastated. As luck would have it, my daughter found the seal a literal needle in a haystack scenario and I was able to get it repaired.
I know. I know… cool story bro…but I do love Guadalupe National Park. Have a great time!
I know. I know… cool story bro…but I do love Guadalupe National Park. Have a great time!
Caught a sunrise there, nothing like it.
It's neat camping at pine springs and staying up in the dark to watch the stars and the headlamps of people hiking down after dark winding down the black mountainside.
It's awesome.
Give yourself another couple of hours to do Mckittrick Canyon-or better yet, go back 2 weeks later for the Fall colors.
Give yourself another couple of hours to do Mckittrick Canyon-or better yet, go back 2 weeks later for the Fall colors.
Queso1 said:
It's no lie about the false summits
The false summits are brutal and part of what makes it challenging and fun. I have hiked it 3 times, most recently last summer, and the false summits get me every time.
this is awesome!
I did a write up on my experience about a year ago and lots of other folks pitched in with their experiences. Could be helpful.
https://texags.com/forums/34/topics/3505709