lost_but_found

:idea: I think I am going to backpack Guadalupe NP in early spring - around April, probably Easter since I get that off. I (not officially) plan on taking a couple of days off (Friday and Tuesday) to get in about four days of hiking (hopefully). If anyone is interested, knows do's and don'ts about the area, and/or has any suggestions - please let me know. I have never been, and would love to see El Capitan and Guadalupe Peaks.

Like I said, this isn't set in stone yet, but is definitely a burning desire! I am going to look hard at the calender to maybe find a better time. I have much that I want to do this year and must take my vacation wisely. But I may consider doing this in March, as I am burning to get out on an extended trip again.

ploddinTod

Brett,
According to MapQuest, it's over 700 miles and 12 plus hours to Gaudalupe Mountains National Park. That distance in itself kills two days in travel time. I get the notion that you're looking for some rugged terrain to backpack. I would head northeast to the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas. Some would call them hills with elevations of only about 2000 feet. They are only 8 to 8 1/2 hours away (you could still get in some hiking time on arrival day). And in springtime with the dogwoods and wildflowers in bloom, it would be a most excellent adventure.
Wingman has posted a link to the Eagle Rock Loop in the Ouachitas (under the Hennessey Hammock thread). This is a very scenic hike and will get the juices flowing with some step uphills. Just my 2 cents.

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PloddinTod

oceanus

The Guadalupe's would certainly be a great hike. I've done the Guadalupe Peak and McCittrick Canyon trails. As far as Guadalupe Peak, well, you just can't get any higher in Texas! It's about 9 1/2 miles roundtrip, with about a 6,000 foot elevation gain and loss. It's well worth it though. At the top, you have a view of the rugged Guadalupe's to the north, desert to the east, the famous salt flats (playa lakes) to the west, and to the south, about 800 feet below you, the top of El Capitan. As for McCittrick Canyon, it's one of the most beautiful hikes in Texas. It begins in the desert foothills. Before long, the walls of the canyon begin to close in around you. Pines and oaks grow next to agave and yucca, and the tops of the mountains are covered in trees colored red. Plus, the canyon has the only strip of water I've ever seen in the mountains.

If you're interested in going in March, you should check the "Find a Hiking Partner" section of backpacker.com. A guy named Bacpackin is going and I know Plockey, from the Lake Georgetown trip, is supposed to be going.

Have fun!

lost_but_found

Thanks Tod. I was actually looking at this as an option too. But for some reason, when I looked at the Guadalupe NP site, it grabbed my attention! But, I figure I can do it about the same as I did for Big Bend. Head out after work and drive as far as possible, and camp overnight, Then get up early as possible and truck it the rest of the way and get a few hours out to the first site. Not the best way, but it works. I will definitely keep the Ouachita Mountains in mind though. Thanks!

lost_but_found

Thanks, I will post this info on there for them to see. I appreciate the 411!

toejam

It may be a challenge getting a campsite on Easter weekend. The campground at the bottom fills up real fast and there are not many backcountry sites up high. You have to wait until 8 a.m. mountain time until the ranger office opens to get a backcountry site.

Guad Peak itself is separated from the main backcountry area by a huge canyon. There's one campsite for a few small groups on Guad Peak. The other area has a pine forest and several campsites. Lots of great views, especially on the west edge. I camped up there and hiked down into McKittrick Canyon and back - one of my favorite hikes of all time. You have to carry a ton of water about 2500' up when you camp there. There is one stock tank up high and water at the bottom of McKittrick Canyon if you get desparate.

humanmutt

A college roommate and I are planning on an overnight to the top of Guadalupe Peak the last weekend of April. He will fly out from Dallas and we will drive from Midland. So if anyone is there and sees two old fat guys chugging up the hill say "Howdy".

copuswalker

[ So if anyone is there and sees two old fat guys chugging up the hill say "Howdy". [/QUOTE]


Am I going with you?

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There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

humanmutt

Am I going with you?[/QUOTE]

I don't know. Did you just buy a new pair of boots and start thinking about how much tp to carry for an overnight?

copuswalker

Ironically I did just buy a new pair of boots today. As far as the TP I still have half a roll from my last trip :cool: as far as old and fat...... I share your pain.
4 of us are going to Big Bend ranch State Park the end of April. Needed new boots and want to break them in before hand.

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

humanmutt

As far as the TP I still have half a roll from my last trip :cool: as far as old and fat...... I share your pain.
4 of us are going to Big Bend ranch State Park the end of April. Needed new boots and want to break them in before hand.[/QUOTE]

You must not be my buddy. He bought new boots and started breaking them in. Then he got all concerned about the amount of tp needed. Who knows?

Big Bend Ranch SP should be a lot of fun. It will already be getting hot by the end of April. :mad: I got to find some where cooler.

copuswalker

Big Bend Ranch SP should be a lot of fun. It will already be getting hot by the end of April. :mad: I got to find some where cooler. [/QUOTE]

Yeh, I wanted to do this in early March. Unfortunately when you have a group ya have to give a little.
I figure since I am riding my motorcycle over and taking 2-3 days each way the hike is secondary

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

wrongturn

Yeh, I wanted to do this in early March. Unfortunately when you have a group ya have to give a little.
I figure since I am riding my motorcycle over and taking 2-3 days each way the hike is secondary [/QUOTE]



Gettin' that excited are ya?

wrongturn

copuswalker

Gettin' that excited are ya?

wrongturn[/QUOTE]



Oh, Ummm hi Dave. Did I say the hike was secondary? that b & h key are so close. It was supposed to read the bike was secondary. Guess I need those typing lessons.

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

humanmutt

Oh, Ummm hi Dave. Did I say the hike was secondary? that b & h key are so close. It was supposed to read the bike was secondary. Guess I need those typing lessons.[/QUOTE]



I seem to remember from another lifetime that too many hours on a bike can stiffen the sitter quite a bit. I would agree the bike is "secondary". It is a most beautiful part of the planet in the Big Bend area. I'll look on the NWS site for average temps in Lajitas or Terlingua and post a url. Looks like I found it. This is for Lajitas:

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/maf/Coop_Cli...prlajitas.html