Alchemist2000

We may have an opportunity to go to Guadalupe Mountains NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP over spring break (mid-March) this year. We have never been to either park. We probably won't be camping on this trip, but we are looking for some "must-do" dayhikes or other cool things to do. Any suggestions? McKittrick Canyon will not be at its most spectacular without fall color, but we assume we should still do that. Has anyone done the El Capitan Trail? What about the drive out to Williams Ranch? What about the various cave trips at Carlsbad Caverns? Are any of those cave trips more worthwhile than others? Do you think we need to reserve spots on the cave trips ahead of time or can we wait until we arrive? Finally, I keep reading about the potential for hurricane force winds in early spring on the national park's website. How much of a problem is that likely to be? Thanks for any help.

01ACRViper

McKittrick Canyon is always nice, even in the non-fall seasons. El Capitan Trail leads out to the Williams Ranch, but driving out there is much easier, and you won't miss much by not hiking. Guadalupe Peak is a 5-6 hour day hike, and taking the Tejas Trail up into the bowl, up Hunter Peak, and back down Bear Canyon is a very nice day hile. Very strong winds are always blowing out there, but since you aren't camping, just take care near ledges :eek: I can't help you out with the caves, because i've only done the main room tour

ploddinTod

The most impressive sight to me at Carlsbad was the bat flight. But during the time you are there the bats will still be in Mexico on their winter migration. According to the park website, the best bat flights are during August and September. After your cave tours you may consider a little dayhike out to Rattlesnake Canyon :ribbit: . Be careful, don't lose your way.

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PloddinTod

Alchemist2000

Thanks, guys! I am already getting excited about going.

Neville

I hiked up from Pine Springs and looped around stopping at Bush Mountain and Tejas camps before heading down Bear Canyon. Two things I'd suggest, one: pack water, and lots of it. I was there last September and the temps in the lower elevations were still in the 90s. Two: go with some hiking shoes with thick soles as the trails are very rocky. I used trail runners and Bear Canyon killed my feet.
Don't know much about Carlsbad except to say that the caves were pretty neat. I haven't been in too many caves so I can offer a good comparasion.

Bottom line is that I loved Guadalupe. As mentioned in an earlier post its a remote park (I drove from Dallas), but well worth it. I plan on heading back this October/November to see McKittrick Canyon and all of its fall glory.

Spanno

Which camp site did you prefer Bush mountain or Tejas. Which trail leading to these camp sites was the best.

I am looking a a several day trip starting at Pine springs entry point. I want to make it to the Marcus camp site on the second night. I know I can go one of two ways, Bush Mountain (6.2 miles) or Tejas (5.5 miles) via blue ridge. Since I am not familiar with the area I do not know which trail provides what (i.e. scenery, elevation, type of trail, difficulty, etc.) I figure on the second night I will camp out at Marcus site then on the third day head to Dog Canyon (3.7 miles) to refil my water and rest my feet for a few then head to the Mescalero camp site (4.7 miles) for the third night. I am still deciding on calling it a day on the 4th day to make the 6.2 miles back to Pine Springs or stop off at Pine Top camp site for a final 4th night before heading in.

I will be driving from DFW so I figure we will head straight there stopping off at a motel for the night then get up early to hit the park when it opens. I then figure I will hit a motel on the last night to shower and clean up before making that long drive back. I figure 6 to 7 days for the trip. Any sugestions on trail routes and what each provides. I estimate leaving by the afternoon of Friday March 9th and being at the park opening hour of the 10th.

Neville

Spanno,

Between the two campsites I would say that Bush Mountain is better. The sunsets from there are spectacular to say the least. Tejas is better if your seeking seclusion and lots of trees.

As far as elevation gain is concerned, you're going to hit the majority of your gain from Pine Springs up to the Pine Top intersection (roughly 2000 feet in total) regardless of which campsite you prefer. Going to Tejas, you'll flatten out shortly after Pine Top and actually drop about 500 feet before you get there. Going to Bush Mountain, you'll climb an additional 500 feet or so after Pine Top and you'll be camping at the base of the second highest peak in the state. I was climbing with a full pack which included three day's worth of water so needless to say I was pretty worn out by the time I got to Bush Mountain, but again it was worth it.

All the trails I encountered are easy to follow but they are a bit rocky so make sure you have shoes with good soles. I had trail runners and wished from time to time that I had something a bit more solid. Trekking poles will certainly help as well.

I too live in the DFW area and the drive took roughly eleven hours. I preferred to leave early in the morning so I could get there in one day. I also got there early enough so I could get my backcountry permit that afternoon and hit the trail first thing the next day. If you want to stop at a motel, Van Horn is about the closest place you'll find. It'll leave you about fifty miles to get to the park.

I don't have any knowledge of the area past the Blue Ridge trail as that's where I turned towards Tejas, but I would suggest that you don't miss the hike up Guadalupe Peak. It's an excellent dayhike with an awsome view. The Smith Spring Trail is also another one not to be missed.

To give you a visual reference, here's a link to some photos I took: