Guadalupe Peak

A fun hike. More long than difficult. There's a campground partway up but I don't know why you'd want to overnight here. There are some cool views, and the little alien pyramid up top is kinda funny. Glad we did this hike, but honestly it's not something I'd do for fun again. There's not much to make it worth it besides touching the highest point in Texas.

Visited April, 2021. Rugged hike just over 4 miles to summit. Great views from the top. Stayed overnight at campground about a mile below summit. Highly recommend. Drop your heavy pack at camp on the way up and only take a day pack to summit. Your looking at a tough 9 mile out and back to do it in one day. Being lots of water, gallon+. None on trail. Amazing views and star gazing from camp. I had the whole site to myself the night I was there.

I didn't have any expectations for this hike. I went as a tagalong when my stepson said he wanted to go. Even if I had high expectations, this hike would have exceeded those. It's a truly glorious journey to the highest point in Texas and the start of the Rockies. It's not the easiest hike, but it's worth every step. I've barely used hiking poles before now, but I really needed them for this steep climb. Be sure to wear good hiking boots with ankle support. The rocks on this trail are hell bent on twisting your ankle.

In my opinion the first and last mile were the hardest parts to complete. I work outside and am used to the weather. I took 6 bottles of water, and had some of one left when I got back. I also do a lot of hiking in mountainous terrain for work. This hike seemed pretty challenging to me. I'm not sure if it's because I wasn't at work, and was just having leisure time or what. None the less I would highly recommend good hiking footwear. The terrain is rugged. Lots of little pointy rocks along with larger rocks that require high steps. I took several breaks on the way up, like 15+. The trip down I made in one go. The scenery was magnificent. I've traveled the country, and haven't seen to many other sights that compare. It was an amazing goal to accomplish, but I think it might be a once in a lifetime hike for me. Unless some family or friends want to go, or I get to go for work.

Hiked this with my wife Aug 6th, 2023. We have 103 years between the two of us 54m / 49f. Neither of us work outside, exercise regularly, go to the gym or hike regularly. I won't lie... it was strenuos - but we made it! We started up at 6:15am just before sunrise, took 6 bottles of fluid each (16-20 ounces) and used it all. We averaged 54 minutes a mile first 3 miles. Last 1.4 miles was the hardest. First mile is hard but last 350 feet of elevation was brutal. It was 76 degrees when we left the trailhead - 80-ish on mountain top. We got up in 4:40 hours total. Going down at midday in full sun the temps soared and by the time we got back to trailhead (taking several breaks) 3 hours later it was 103 degrees. Some suggestions if you are not "in shape" and decide to make the climb: Hydrate a few days before you go. Take more water than you think you'll need - we took 6 gatorades and 6 water and could have used 8 each. We used tennis shoes but hiking boots would have been better (we're amateurs). You'll get some shade on the way up if you're early but practically none at mid-day going down. Cell service is spotty but we did have moderately good signal on the peak (Verizon). Take frequent breaks - don't "attack" the climb the first mile or you'll wear yourself out - save some energy for the last mile. The view from the top is phenomenal. We hiked Flattop Mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park (highest marked trail - 12,324 feet) last year, exactly a year ago - our anniversary :) with a 2,850 elevation gain and 8.9 mile round trip. This hike was definitely harder at 3,000 feet elevation gain and 8.8 mile round trip, and I think the view was better here at Guadalupe Peak. One final note, if you use a smartwatch to track your progress don't be disappointed if when you get to 4.4 miles you're not there yet - I believe taking smaller steps than you normally would throws off the distance tracking so our watches said the trip was 5.11 miles instead of 4.4 miles.

If you're in decent shape this will be a challenging hike. If you're out of shape it will be brutal. Up. Up. And up. Beautiful hike but beware of the wind. I made it over half way and had to turn back due gusts which had to be in excess of 50-60mph. Will give it another go sometime when there's hopefully less wind. Still a great hike regardless.

A fun hike. More long than difficult. There's a campground partway up but I don't know why you'd want to overnight here. There are some cool views, and the little alien pyramid up top is kinda funny. Glad we did this hike, but honestly it's not something I'd do for fun again. There's not much to make it worth it besides touching the highest point in Texas.