Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Guadalupe Mountain Vista

(Author's Note: I apologize for these continued "Trips" posts which I'm migrating from my off-line blog. I continue to be very busy, so keep checking back. I promise to have something substantive here again soon. --RDS)

We try to take longer hiking trips twice a year, once during the summer months and again either at Christmas or during the kids' spring vacation. One of our earliest such trips included visits to Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas (Park Brochure Map here) along with Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. The parks showcase various aspects of the Chihuahuan Desert, one of the four desert ecosystems in North America, with Guadalupe Mountains maintaining the highest point in the State of Texas.

A View From The Trail

The two parks are essentially adjacent to each other with the border between Texas and New Mexico bisecting them. Carlsbad, New Mexico makes a good base of operations to visit both. One can also stay in "White City," New Mexico which merely a tourist trap sort of destination right outside Carlsbad Caverns, but as result, the cost of lodging, food, etc. is inflated by about twenty-five percent. Additional outdoor attractions in the area include "Sitting Bull Falls," a spring and waterfall which creates an oasis in the middle of the Chihuahuan Desert off Highway 137 between Carlsbad and Dog Canyon. Also Carlsbad hosts Living Desert State Park which is a great introduction to the the Chihuahuan ecosystem.

Ditto

We spent our second day in the Guadalupes at the Dog Canyon area of the park. This sits on the northern edge of the park right at the state line with New Mexico. This is the least visited area of the park, for the simple reason that it is extraordinarily difficult to get do. Although the distance between the main visitor center and this area is perhaps fifteen air miles, one must drive over 100 miles between the two to get there. Most people don’t want to make that effort.

Most people miss out on a beautiful area of the park.

The Official Elder Son

As I mentioned before, this park is not particularly well-known, and is therefore, not particularly crowded. Ditto in spades for the Dog Canyon area. When we were there, there was precisely one vehicle in the campground and we saw only one other person on the trails. In point of fact, the solitary ranger manning the small visitor center seemed stunned to see a family of five from Missouri come rolling in.

The OES Dressed By The EMBLOS to Summit Everest
It Was Windy and Fifty-Five Degrees
I Was In Shorts.
It's A German Thing.

To get to the Dog Canyon, one must drive northwest of Carlsbad to New Mexico Highway 137. Hang a left and drive for a couple of hours through the Lincoln National Forest (of Smokey Bear fame) to the end of the road and you’re there. As an alternative, between Carlsbad Caverns and Carlsbad City is County Road 408. This road cuts off a few miles and ultimately intersects with Highway 137. Again, go left and drive to the end of the highway at the park.

Topping Out On The Ridge For The Last Bit Of The Hike

All trails start at the end of the campground. Virtually all the trails head into the high back-country of the park. Day-hiking opportunities are of the “out and back” variety.

Two day-hike destinations are “Lost Peak” and the “Marcus Overlook.” The hike to Lost Peak leads one along the “Tejas Trail.” The Tejas winds through the back-country and ultimately leads to the main visitor center and campground. About three miles out, Lost Peak appears on the right and is a fairly easy climb to the summit.

The Official Daughter
With The EMBLOS &
Official Younger Son, Age 4 At The Time, Behind

To hike to the “Marcus Overlook,” one takes the Bush Mountain Trail. This trail ascends gradually over about 2.5 miles to a saddle between two hills. The views down into Dog Canyon are stunning. When we were there, the wind was blowing at 25 mph. Warm clothing was a must. There is water at the campground but none on the trail. We took three hours to do the hike including snack and scenery stops.

More Trail View

I would note it's possible to hike between the main campground and Dog Canyon in a single day. Most people make it an overnight, but it can be done in a single day with enough water and supplies. I would start at Dog Canyon because one gets a boost in elevation. The downside is the logistics of leaving a vehicle at one end of the park and then having to get a ride 100 miles at the end of the hike to get back to the car.

The Payoff: A View Of Dog Canyon And The Chihuahuan Desert

Bottom Line: I recommend Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a multi-day visit, especially if one is visiting Carlsbad Caverns. Even a single day spent exploring the desert would be worthwhile.

Cheers.

R. Sherman

One of my all time favorite photos of the Official Family.