Thinking about crossing this off the bucket list. Has anyone here hiked Guadalupe Peak? I was wondering when would be a good time of year to do this? And how "technical" of a hike is this? I have done some hiking in New Mexico and Colorado, but never to the peak of a mountain.

Great hike. Not technical, small create your own adventure at the top but nothing hard or scrambling. Great views and the park at base is great to camp or chill at.

Awesome! I was thinking of bringing along two kiddos (10 and 12 years old). Would it be really crowded during Spring Break?

Highly likely that spring break will be windy AF. I'm not talking, let's go fly a kite wind. I'm talking 60mph+ type winds. Not saying it'll be that bad or you can't catch a window, but something to be aware of.

My dad was superintendent of schools at Guadalupe Mountain. All I can tell you is it's windy as heck but you've already been told that.

We backpacked it, overnighted on the campgrounds midway, and did a pre-dawn summit. Happy to answer any questions you have. The switchbacks heading down were brutal in direct sun and wind.

We plan on visiting in a couple of years. We probably won't hike to the top, but it looks like there are two canyon day hikes that are really good. Is staying in Van Horn at the El Capitan a good option?

The Chicken Ranch said:

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We plan on visiting in a couple of years. We probably won't hike to the top, but it looks like there are two canyon day hikes that are really good. Is staying in Van Horn at the El Capitan a good option?

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we used it as our base and enjoyed it, old school hotel. Same people own it that run the Paisano in Marfa

Bar and restaurant are good.

Coming down is the hardest part. You'll be sore! But it's not too crazy and the views are unreal.

Coming from Midland what is the best itinerary? Going to Van Horn night before, wake up early and hik3, then drive back?

Also since I understand about the spring winds, when is the best time to do the hike?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

BigLeftMiss08 said:

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Coming from Midland what is the best itinerary? Going to Van Horn night before, wake up early and hik3, then drive back?

Also since I understand about the spring winds, when is the best time to do the hike?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

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If you're coming from Midland, it is doable from Midland. 3 hours to the park.

I woke up, drove to Pine Springs, hiked the peak, explored the pinery, then drove back and slept in my own bed. If I was camping, then I'd do otherwise, but I don't think it is worth a hotel room

We're camping 3 nights spring break. Plan to do the peak on Day 2 with our 4 kids.

Fall colors in McKittrick Canyon

So, it's looking like a Spring Break trip to do the hike is in the works. Thanks for all the info above, sounds like the wind will be the deciding factor on if the hike is doable. I'll plan the trip to where we have a couple of days as options to make the hike in case there is a day that is too windy. Maybe Carlsbad Caverns on a day we don't hike?

I have two more questions, where to stay if not camping and what time of day would be best to start the hike? I'm guessing there will be more folks on the trail the later the start time. I'm not against sharing the trail and peak with others, but I don't want to feel crowded.

I'd try to start as early as possible after sunup. Definitely start sometime in the morning, at least.

Like someone said above, there are other great hikes in the park. McKittrick canyon is amazing. Parts of it don't feel like Texas at all.

Feels like Texas to those us from there.

Must be nice!

baldandbeautiful said:

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Maybe Carlsbad Caverns on a day we don't hike?

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Definitely! No caves will ever be the same, including Mammoth

How windy is too windy?

this advisory is from a couple years ago during spring break. If its bad enough, the park will have plenty of warnings.

Quote:

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It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a... tent? Time flies, and so do tents when you're in the Guadalupes!
WIND ADVISORY
Pine Springs Saturday (3/13) Forecast: Areas of blowing dust after noon. Sunny, with a temperature falling to 48 by 8am. Strong and damaging winds, with a west wind 25 to 35 mph increasing to 40 to 50 mph. Winds could gust as high as 70 mph.
Pine Springs Sunday (3/14) Forecast: Sunny, with a high near 54. Strong and damaging winds, with a west wind 35 to 45 mph increasing to 45 to 55 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 85 mph.
Temperatures in the high elevations, including Guadalupe Peak and most backcountry areas, will be 10 to 15 degrees cooler with at least 10-20 mph stronger winds. This means Saturday could have gusts of at least 90 mph and Sunday could have gusts of 105 mph.
We advise all visitors to use caution if visiting the area in the next few days, especially if staying in a tent or have an RV or trailer. Also note the highway outside of the park can close if gusts reach 70 mph.

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Didn't the father of a poster get lost there last year?

in the park, yes. Though actually wandered onto private land. Not on the Peak Trail.

I couldn't remember the details. I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Growing up out there I've known several people that actually got lost on the ranch they grew up on.

Are the winds like that in the canyon trails, or just on the peak?

I hiked Guadalupe Peak Spring Break of 2020, literally as the world was shutting down.

As others have mentioned, it's not too technical. When you get to the top, just start watching the trail others are taking to summit if you're nervous. Everyone is generally friendly and will provide pointers.

When we went, it was hotter than I anticipated it to be. I usually dress in layers, so I had a tank, shirt sleeve shirt and a long sleeve jacket. I had shed down to the tank on the way up (got sunburned because I didn't think I would ever just be wearing the tank) but I needed my jacket by the time we got to the summit.

As Bam mentioned, going down is brutal. Bring hiking poles if you have them!

We stayed in Whites City which is literally at the entrance to Carlsbad Caverns. It's not fancy but it's perfect for not driving too far. I would suggest getting there early in the morning. We attempted to check out the trailhead the day before our hike but the park was full and we couldn't even get in to the visitor center.

I am a little surprised it is that busy! Hard to make spring break plans when that is a possibility.

We went at 3 or 4 in the afternoon, so VERY late in the day. I would assume you would start your hike much earlier than that. The rangers are always very nice and if you call the station, they can give you an idea of when the lot fills up (or even if it is still filling up).

All I can say is "do it." Hiked it with the family a few years ago. In early August. I was like a pack mule with all the water I hauled. I didn't want to risk it. Ended up having more than enough for everyone.

Family was pretty tired by the time we got down. Not a difficult trail. Just wear decent trail shoes.

Did a Guadulupe NP trip last spring break. Stayed in Carlsbad. Planned an overnight backpacking trip up to the peak and camping on the mtn but wind advisories were 60-70+. Backpacked Tejas trail instead with my 10yr old and overnighted at Tejas campground. We still pushed through a decent wind on that trail. He made it and ultimately remembers it fondly but it was maybe just a little long for him. And he loved the caverns.

Does anyone have a good site for the extended weather forecast? Some places are showing lows in the 40s, others in the 20s, for the week of March 4th.

Anyone ever camp / hike in from Dog Canyon?