Texas Trails. Hiking Gear Reviews. Brutal Honesty.
Experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. Guadalupe Mountains National Park protects the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef, the four highest peaks in Texas, an environmentally diverse collection of flora and fauna, and the stories of lives shaped through conflict, cooperation and survival.
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 … Read more
Guadalupe Mountains National Park has some fantastic trails – but which ones are the best? Let’s talk about the 3 most epic hikes in the park.
Tejas Trail is one of the trails that made me fall in love with Texas mountain hiking. It was the first trail that gave me that moment of absolute wonder – that moment when you see something that strikes awe into your heart, slaps a smile on your stupid face and makes you totally grateful … Read more
It was my first foray into Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I’d just ascended to the highest point in the world (or at least in Texas, which is the only thing that really counts. Fuck Everest.). With much moaning and complaining, but that’s besides the point. Sore legs are nothing when nature calls and you’re deep … Read more
Smith Spring Trail is a 2.3 mile loop located near the Frijole Ranch History Museum. Taking 62, you will turn onto Frijole Ranch Road, a gravel road, and take that to a moderately sized parking lot. There you’ll find a small pavilion with several picnic tables and restrooms. But should you bother? Don’t overlook this … Read more
One of the coolest fucking things about Guadalupe Mountains National Park is just how diverse its landscape is and the Salt Basin Dunes drive this home. In fact, these gypsum salt dunes may just be the most unique biosphere within the park. Recommended Supplies What is a Salt Basin? To the West of the Guadalupe … Read more
Staring at a topographical map of Bear Canyon trail I daydreamed about what a scenic route this would be. All that elevation and through a canyon – I love canyons! Surely the views would be incredible! I was sold. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my first ascent of Bear Canyon Trail because I did not … Read more