State Highpoints – Texas - 8,749-foot Guadalupe Peak
Texas’ highest peak and the 14th highest US state summit, 8,249-foot Guadalupe Peak, is located in west Texas,
east of El Paso. Guadalupe is close to the TX/NM border, and is the highpoint of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
There is a good Class 1 trail up Guadalupe from the east, and the round trip hike requires over 3,000 feet of gain, and 8.75 miles.
The hike up Guadalupe can be hot in summer, and snow can grace the summit in winter. Plan accordingly.
There is a metal monument on the summit, and when you pose for a summit photo next to this monument,
you have proof that you made the summit.
Surprisungly, with 3,039 feet of prominence, Guadalupe is only the fourth most prominent peak in Texas.
A mile south of Guadalupe Peak is another ranked peak called El Capitan that is dramatically cliffed on three sides.
Seen from US Highway 62 to the south, El Capitan appears to be higher than Guadalupe, and many people mistake it for Guadalupe.
El Capitan makes a significant addition to your trek up Guadalupe. From the top of Guadalupe, the journey to El Capitan
is a an off-trail Class 2 hike, and because of the cliffs, you must return over the top of Guadalupe.
Many people do the hike up Guadalupe. Those with only modest conditioning find it tough, however runners from nearby schools
have run up in short times that others simply refuse to believe. It’s a big world.
|
