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Guadalupe Peak Trail

Difficult
 4.7 (121)
  1. Areas
  2. TX
  3. …West Texas
  4. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
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“Difficult but well-worth it! ”

Robert McDonald
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Map Key

4.2

Miles

6.7

KM

Point to Point

8,744' 2,665 m

High

5,853' 1,784 m

Low

2,923' 891 m

Up

33' 10 m

Down

13%

Avg Grade (8°)

44%

Max Grade (24°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Fall Colors · Views · Wildlife

Visitors must obtain a hiking permit at the visitor center or self registration satiation. The cost is $5 USD per permit and is good for one week. Annual permits are a available at visitor center for $20 USD.

Description

The Guadalupe Peak Trail is approximately 8 miles round trip. 3 - 5 liters of water are recommended for the trail. Be sure to bring a snack and flashlight/headlamp as it is easy to be caught on the trail after dark. Shoes with good ankle support and a sturdy hiking stick are highly recommended. Loose and slick rocks as well as large steps up & down are along the trail. There is no cell phone service except at the peak itself. Be aware that this trail/park is extremely busy during peak times such as spring break.

A backcountry campsite is available on the trail approximately 1 mile from the peak. No water is available on the trail.

High winds are common and can be dangerous!

Flora & Fauna

Mountaintop forests are home to animals such as elk, black bear, gray foxes, striped and hog-nosed skunks, porcupine, mule deer, mountain lions, and mountain short-horned lizards.

Nocturnal desert animals include the kit fox, coyote, mountain lion, bobcat, badger, Texas banded gecko, and about 16 species of bats. Mule deer, javelinas, and black-tailed jackrabbits are seen early in the morning or late in the evening when temperatures are cooler.

Beware of poisonous snakes.

Contacts

Land Manager: NPS - Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Shared By:

Robert McDonald with improvements by wankel7
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 121 votes

#1

in Guadalupe Mountains National Park

#3

Overall
  4.7 from 121 votes
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4 Star
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3 Star
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2 Star
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1 Star
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Trail Rankings

#1

in Guadalupe Mountains Na…

#1

in Texas

#3

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Photos

Sunset from Guadalupe Peak in December, 2022.
Jan 9, 2023 near Pine Sp…, TX
Guadalupe National Park
Sep 30, 2015 near Pine Sp…, TX
Elevation: 6981 feet!
Sep 30, 2015 near Pine Sp…, TX
Guadalupe Peak
Nov 9, 2015 near Pine Sp…, TX
Pine Spring Canyon from Guadalupe Mountains National Park Guadalupe Peak Trail.
Sep 30, 2015 near Pine Sp…, TX
The views from the trail are unbelievable.
Apr 7, 2016 near Pine Sp…, TX

4 Comments

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 92 days ago
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Check-Ins

Jul 23, 2023
Drew Weymouth
Hike was awesome! Views the whole way and one of the best hikes I've done (well top 10 anyway). — 5h 34m
Apr 23, 2023
Hannah Stewart
11h 22m
Apr 1, 2023
Jaye Cremer
Amazing views. Perfect day for it. 8.6mi — 5h 29m
Mar 12, 2023
Jeremy R
Feb 2, 2023
Peder Bisbjerg
With temperature inversion, I started out in a foggy rime covered landscape, only to pop out above the clouds at 6,700' 8.4mi — 5h 30m
Dec 12, 2022
Ryan Arnott
8.4mi — 19h 00m
Oct 29, 2022
Nikki Gray
Great hike! pretty steep in some areas. 8.4mi — 8h 37m
Aug 14, 2022
Bobbidy Bob

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