Ascent of Guadalupe Peak on 2009-04-16Others in Party: | Jill Stone Twm Stone David Stone Ceri Stone Patrick Stone
| Date: | Thursday, April 16, 2009 | Ascent Type: | Successful Summit Attained | Peak: | Guadalupe Peak | Location: | USA-Texas | Elevation: | 8749 ft / 2666 m |
Ascent Trip ReportMy third ascent of Texas' highpoint, reflecting the fact that my parents have lived in Texas for nearly 20 years. Each time we've stayed the night before in a motel in Carlsbad, NM and combined our visit with a descent into the amazing Calsbad Caverns. I strongly recommend getting on a Natural Entrance Tour and also having breakfast at the Pecos River Cafe in Carlsbad beforehand.
My first climb (September 1994) was with my wife as part of a stupendous 6-week road trip around the Western USA and Canada before we had any children.
Second time (April 2006) was with my older 2 boys (aged 9 and 8 at the time) while Jill and younger ones (aged 6 and 3) explored McKittrick Canyon.
Finally the whole family's done it now (ages 12, 11, 9 and 6), ascending by the standard Guadalupe Peak Trail from the Pine Springs parking lot. It’s a great well graded hike suitable for any reasonably fit walker - considerably easier than Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains that we climbed 3 days earlier! We even got back in time for the children to complete the Junior Ranger paperwork at the Visitor Center and get their badges. I love Texas, particularly west of the Pecos, but next time I'll climb a different 8,000-footer! |
Summary Total Data | Total Elevation Gain: | 3049 ft / 929 m | Route: | Guadalupe Peak Trail | Trailhead: | Pine Springs 5700 ft / 1737 m | Route Conditions: | Maintained Trail |
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