The Top of Texas...Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Not long ago I found a big secret hiding out in West Texas. Towering over Texas at 8750', Guadalupe Peak offers a very rewarding view of the West Texas landscape. I know, I know...it ain't the majestic Rocky Mountains, but I never knew that Texas even had such elevation other than Emory Peak in Big Bend at just 7832'. I spent months in West Texas/SE New Mexico before I even noticed something off in the distance. It was a few more months before I took the time to look at a map to figure out what that formation was poking out on the horizon.
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It doesn't look like much from here, but it takes about 2 hours to get over there to Guadalupe Mountains National Park. I've hiked the peak a few times now, and it is definitely a strenuous hike but the views are rewarding. It is worth checking out for anyone looking to get outdoors in West Texas.
Some highlights of the hike:
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The ISIS training camps are that way....
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The Top of Texas...Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Making it around to the southern ridge yields a northern view of El Capitan and Gaudalupe Peak.
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A view of the switchbacks of the Guadalupe Peak Trail.
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Hunters Peak from the Pine Top campground.
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I chose to carry a hammock hoping to stay dry and be more comfortable. Well, the rain barely grazed me. Temps were in the low 60's so my feet were cold, and I didn't sleep well. I had forgotten my woobie at home, so I had a little fleece blanket I picked up from Walmart. It was better than nothing, but was just too small. Oh well, I survived.
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I tried some new freeze dried food for the first time, and I highly recommend it for appearance and flavor.
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I didn't have a windscreen, so I made one out of aluminum foil before traveling out to the park. It was definitely needed, and actually performed pretty well. I ordered some titanium foil so I can make a better windscreen.
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I didn't take any pics on the way down the Tejas Trail back to the trail head. I got called back to work, so I had to make tracks. All in all, it was a good trip even though it didn't go as planned. I'm definitely starting to trim down the quantity and weight of my gear. I'm not going super-crazy UL, but I did order a lightweight pack and digital scale so I can start making some improvements.
I didn't encounter a single person on this hike, and I loved it. I look forward to future overnighters in this part of the park.