Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a kick-your-ass kind of park. Coloradians may turn their noses up at us but consider this: Guadalupe Peak has a total ascent of about 4,278. That’s comparable to (harder than, actually) many of the “easier” 14er hikes. Hell, the standard route on Colorado’s popular 14er Mount Sherman gains a mere 2,000 feet. Fucking child’s play by comparison.
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For the hard ass looking to be challenged, the three most physically difficult hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park are Guadalupe Peak Trail, Permian Reef Trail and Bear Canyon Trail.
Guadalupe Peak Trail
Guadalupe Peak Trail gets this rating due to the sheer elevation gain, particularly in the first mile. This trail gains approximately 1,000 feet of elevation in the first mile. It’s a lung burner for sure.
Plan for Changing Weather
In addition to the steepness, this trail earns its difficulty rating due to the unpredictable weather on its slopes, the wild winds as you come around the North face of the mountain and the wee bit of scrambling one has to do at the very end of the hike.
The weather can change quickly on Guadalupe Peak – from sunny to cloudy to stormy in the matter of an afternoon!
There are No Facilities
Like all hikes in GUMO, there is no water or facilities available on the trail. You pack everything you need and pray nothing comes knocking at your backdoor (have a WAG bag just in case).
Relatively Beginner Friendly
Thanks to its popularity, ease of navigation, and easy footing, this trail can be attempted by most folks in decent shape as long as they are willing to turn around should they reach their limits for whatever reason. Never be afraid to turn around if you run out of water, if it’s too hot, you feel unsafe or think for any reason that you cannot safely make it. Don’t be one of the people that has to call SAR for a totally preventable reason.
Permian Reef Trail
Permian Reef Trail comes in a close second to Guadalupe Peak in terms of difficulty. This trail gains 3,474 feet over a one way hike of 4.8 miles.
Solitude, Sweet Solitude
The thing about this hike, however, is that it is much more remote than Guadalupe Peak Trail. I didn’t see a soul on the trail the day I went. And so, unlike Guadalupe Peak, there is no help from your fellow humans if shit hits the fan.
Harsh Winds
Like its sister Guadalupe Peak, this trail has some gnarly winds as you approach the top but I would argue that the winds on Permian are worse than the ones I’ve encountered on Guadalupe peak. There was a major drop in temperature from the trailhead to the ridgeline and had me pulling out every spare piece of clothing in my bag.
Get a load of those switchbacks!
Experienced Hikers Only
As an additional difficulty factor, the trail is overgrown with tall grasses in many places. And if all that’s not enough to get your heart pounding, there are places where the trail is anorexically thin and close to the edge of the mountain. It’s not the trail to take a mis-step. The footing can also be rocky and blocky, easy to take that mis-step.
Due to its physically challenging aspects, remote nature and overgrown, razor thin trail, this isn’t the trail for a beginner.
Bear Canyon Trail
Last but certainly not least, Bear Canyon Trail easily takes its place as third most difficult hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park thanks to its merciless elevation gain over a mere 1.8 miles. That’s fucking steep.
For reference, that’s akin to the elevation you’d gain the last 2 miles on a lot of Colorado’s famous 14ers.
View from the top of Bear Canyon Trail.
A Very Steep Ascent
The trail is basically a set of steep switchbacks with large step-ups up a canyon without a fucking break. The time I ascended Bear Canyon Trail, I regretted my life and everything about it until I reached the top. It was a quad and lung burner the entire time – read, it hurt. Bear Canyon Trail spanked my ass.
Also a Very Steep Descent
On a separate trip to good old Bear Canyon, I descended with a little less agony but no more speed. It took me 1:25 to get down that damn trail. Everyone coming up appeared fit, red faced and gassed. Enough said about its difficulty.
Doable for Most, But Not All Hikers
Bear Canyon Trail is extremely rocky (some real ankle breakers out there) and exposed. The midday sun hits it full fucking force. Never attempt in temperatures over 90 degrees, ideally 85 degrees or less. It is, however, easy to navigate and relatively close to the visitor center. With that in mind, with strong ankles and a good fitness base, most people should be able to attempt.
Too Long: Didn’t Read;
You didn’t seriously skip this one, did you? Okay, let’s sum it the fuck up.
Guadalupe Peak has a total ascent of about 4,278. What’s more, it gains 1000 feet in just the first mile. The Permian Reef Trail ascends 3,474 feet over 4.8 miles. Bear Canyon Trail is like a mini Manitou Incline, gaining 2,000 feet in just 1.8 miles.
And there you have the three most physically difficult trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Ranging from beginner friendly to experienced hiker ability, these three trails have some of the most challenging ascents and terrain that this park can toss your way.
Our air may not be as thin at elevation as some places, but the point is that Guadalupe Mountains National Park can absolutely whip your ass.