Is Guadalupe Peak open

14ers in California and Washington state or any other peak in the USA
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Jaymi
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Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by Jaymi »

Does anyone know if Guadalupe Peak (Texas) is open? Looks like it may have closed temporarily in April due to Covid. Thank you!
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wineguy
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by wineguy »

Check the website. Last time I checked the campground was closed but the park was open to day hikers. If you are serious about social distancing, try one of the peaks other than Guadalupe. Seven of Texas' ten highest peaks are in the park. Other than Guadalupe I've seen almost no one on the trails. Hunter Peak is a relatively short jaunt. Bush mountain is a longer day hike, but an easy class 1 trail. Pratt is more fun, a few miles of off-trail bush whacking. Personally I'd avoid Texas this time of year, too hot. Much more appealing in Colorado's off-season. Try Oct-Mar., I don't thinks snow is ever an issue. Just avoid the strong winds around the equinoxes.
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Tim A
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by Tim A »

Park is still closed. June would be a miserable month to hike there anyway.
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by The spindoctor »

I thought the water in the park technically is protected as well so bring plenty with you. I went in December and it was nice other than 50mph wind gusts!

On a side note, how does this compare to a typical "easy" 14er? 8.5 miles roundtrip and 3000 elevation gain seems about similar other than the starting elevation being lower.
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Jaymi
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by Jaymi »

So the nps website makes it look closed, but I see on different trail websites that people are still hiking. Hence the question and post. Perhaps their are other routes that are open? Or folks are simply not following the rules? I would not hike if nps said not to myself.
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by myfeetrock »

Not open
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by cougar »

not sure why it would still be closed given how remote it is and with the rest of TX open with outbreaks, unless the remoteness is the issue, it's a small park, rarely visited this time of year or in general, and campground and closest towns are Carlsbad and White City, water is scarce. The well at the campground goes down 2000 ft I'm told, and it's illegal to get water in the backcountry as mentioned, and those sources are scarce. Also the worst time of year to go there. Seems like from the reports people are hiking in a longer distance from outside the park boundary, there's access points along the highway and ranch roads, near the salt flats. That also allows you to get El Capitan from that approach. Would be brutal in summer 100 degree heat.

The standard route is pretty easy, about 7 miles RT and 3k elevation gain, good trail. Climbs up the mesa to a false summit, then a flat stretch, then up to true summit. The other peaks and areas like McKittrick Canyon are worth a visit. Fall is a great time, like November for the foliage (peak visitation in early Nov), good weather. If it were me I'd wait - a lot of people also visit Carlsbad Caverns on the same trip, and that for sure seems to be closed for a while. It can snow a bit in winter but rarely and lightly.
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Jaymi
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by Jaymi »

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all the responses. I was able to reach someone with the National Park Service and they confirmed that Guadalupe Peak and all trails within their jurisdiction are currently closed indefinitely. Guess I'll be Staying in beautiful Colorado this weekend.

Thanks again!
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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by Jaymi »

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Re: Is Guadalupe Peak open

Post by Trotter »

Tim A wrote: Wed Jun 10, 2020 3:45 am Park is still closed. June would be a miserable month to hike there anyway.
+1

I did Guadalupe peak in june. Hot as hell, even with a dawn start.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
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