Guadalupe Mountains National Park
If you’re an American and live in Texas, do you know the highest natural point in Texas? Singal Peak, also known as Guadalupe Peak, is the highest natural point in Texas and is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Guadalupe Peak is one of the major parts of the Guadalupe Mountains range in southeastern New Mexico and west Texas.
The national park includes the mountain ranges of Guadalupe Peak, El Capitan, and the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach line near the Pine Springs visitor center. Although there are six 8,000-foot peaks in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, the most famous is El Capitan, the first sight you see in the park, with the towering shock of limestone that surges right off the desert floor.
The Weather of Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The Guadalupe Mountains normally have hot summers, mild autumn and calm weather, cool to cold in winter, and early spring as well. Also, snowstorms, sleet storms, freezing rain, or fog may happen in winter. Regular high wind warnings are issued from winter through spring. Also, the nights are cool even in summer, and late-summer monsoons produce thunderstorms.
Where is Guadalupe Peak?
Guadalupe Peak is 140 kilometers east of El Paso and 80 kilometers southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico. It has an elevation of 8,751 feet above sea level and rises over 2,967 feet above the arid floor of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Guadalupe Peak Trail and Summit
A beautiful, well-maintained stony trail of 6.8 kilometers each way with an elevation gain of over 3,000 feet during the round of the year This trail is one of the major parts of the network of hiking trails in the surrounding national park.
Moreover, a stainless-steel pyramid marked the summit with the American Airlines logo in 1958 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail. However, the other side has a United States Service tribute to the Pony Express Riders of the Butterfield stage. Also, the third side shows a compass with the logo of the Boy Scouts of America.
Guadalupe Peak Hike
The peak trail, which is about 8.1 miles, offers a chance to see the magnificent wildlife of this area. The trail winds through pinyon pine and Douglas-fir forests with views of El Capitan and the Chihuahuan Desert. The hike is considered a bit difficult as many activity options are accessible year-round.
The trail is moderately trafficked, but a rewarding, strenuous hike introduces hikers to the park’s ecosystem, high desert, and forest elevation. You must be very fit for the peak hike, as it will take 7 to 8 hours round trip. The Guadalupe Peak Hike provides fantastic views from the highest point. The first few miles are steepest, but they get easier and shadier after that. Also, the last ¼ mile is treacherous and gets narrow. You must be scrambling on the side of the cliff. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water and food.
It could be nice to start early before the heat sets in, with shoes with good ankle support and a sturdy running stick that are highly recommended. Also, you must be careful to hydrate well with little breaks in the shade when possible. Further, you must follow the hiker tail signs; otherwise, you may have lost you’re way and need to make extra efforts to reach the destination.
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