On the way back to the Contact Station we encountered a park volunteer who shared stories of the area with us. An editor's note following the article stated that the presence of trout in Texas had been firmly established by "ample testimony." My mind dwells on, how long did it take for the vast geological changes to take place that isolated those fish? Park entry fee required for all adult visitors. If you are wondering more about photography, be sure to visit my photography website - www.shannondrawe.com. Checked out the historic cabin, then walked on to the Grotto where there were picnic tables to eat on. How to Hike the Permian Reef Trail | Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 16 Great Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, How to Hike to Guadalupe Peak, the "Top of Texas", How to Hike the Devil's Hall Trail | Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Devils Hall, which is in Pine Springs, is shorter and more fun than the McKittrick Canyon Trail, and it leads to a cool looking slot canyon. Scenic canyon with unique animal and plant life. Se puede llevar casa de acampar? The trail provides incredible diversity in plant life due to the presence of a small stream. Pets are only allowed in areas that are accessible by vehicle, such as established campgrounds and parking areas. By starting early, you can get one of the parking spaces in the trailhead parking lot. As a standard for mythical tall tales and legends, it comes as no surprise that Texas holds the national corner on stories of lost treasure. Although the drawing is rather generic, the description is correct for Cutthroat Trout, and of particular significance is the reference to a red band, a diagnostic character for Cutthroat Trout. *Interested in Visiting BOTH National Parks in Texas on the Same Road Trip? As we already know, completely washing fish out of any location is highly improbable. And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. . The trail to the Grotto leads off to the left and heads downhill on a very rocky trail. The truth, the Texanist is sorry to report, is that there are no rivers in Texas, the Guadalupe included, that are cold enough to support a real trout fishery. Find Out How You Can Explore the Best of Both Worlds at Once! As Texans, we don't often get to enjoy a kaleidoscope of Fall colors. There was a major flood in recent years that sent a lot of water down the canyon creek, moving boulders and reshaping the terrain. VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? Spectacular! At the top of the trail you can look down at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon and read about Permian Reef geology. 4.9 Stars on Google with over 100 reviews We offer Full Service Moving and/or Labor Only Fully Licensed & Insured ODOT#254487 USDOT#3429439 MC#256401 Schedule your next Move or Free Walk Through. The McKittrick Canyon Trail starts at the McKittrick Canyon Contact Station where there are restrooms and a water cooler. Follow the McKittrick Canyon Trail as it drops down into the canyon, crisscrossing a wash until it reaches a stream gurgling over limestone boulders. This allowed us to make good time just not enough to get to Pratt Cabin. Parking was way less busy, there were restrooms and some interpretive signs (that VC is not open right now). My friend and I made the 5th ford across the creek when we decided to turn around, probably less than a 1/2 mile from the cabin. the canyon becomes spectacular with color change! This unassuming brook is home to the only. For mountain hiking that traverses desert floors to forested peaks, look no further than, The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Beyond the Notch, the trail continues is climb up to the McKittrick Ridge Backcountry Campground. Fire Ants Have Unleashed Chaos in Texas for Decades. Another part that was cool, both figuratively and temperature wise, was hiking in the shadows of the canyon. A drawing of the fish was accompanied by the description: "yellowish brown above, spotted with black; a red band on each side of the chin." Built by Wallace Pratt in the 1930s, on the land he owned at the time, this entirely stone cabin was later donated to the National Park. Beautiful views, colors and interest along the way. By the time we reached the summit we were down to t-shirts and sweating! Thankfully when we got to the parking, there were a couple of spaces left. From the trailhead, you enter McKittrick Canyon. Legends of lost Spanish gold mines drew many unsuccessful prospectors before the turn of the century. Wallace Pratt donated 5,632 acres of his beloved canyon to the National Park Service in 1957 opening up the way for the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af1efca02f7e6220964b2b59e95acf94" );document.getElementById("eab110af47").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. In fact, hiking on towards the McKittrick Ridge campground is the steepest portion of not only the entire trail, but the steepest incline in the entire park! RT, and I think most families could do this. Fly fishing is a much-romanticized pastime beloved by outdoorsmen the world over. Located in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, McKittrick Canyon boasts foliage colors that contrast dramatically in the arid Chihuahuan desert. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an incredible place to visit for anyone interested in outdoor activities or simply admiring the park's breathtaking scenery. The bigger, the better :-). Then the trail moves upward into the mountain range and the view gets great. There is a touch of moderate hiking involved in reaching the Grotto, but that is mostly due to short portions of gravely terrain, some stream crossings, and brief moderate inclines. Back at the trailhead, the lot was still only about half full just after lunchtime. (Texass official state fish, by the way, is the Guadalupe bass.). Jos R. Ralat is Texas Monthlys taco editor, writing about tacos and Mexican food. Therefore, Texas fly fisherman are relegated to traveling out of the great state of Texas if they wish to pursue non-stocked trout populations. How far is is from McKittrick Canyon to the next ecosphere that can support cold water fish such as the cutthroat? It took me, at 62 and in pretty good shape, most of the afternoon. Just like you, these trout are not native, but Texas is happy to have themand youall the same. | the "Tickler" at $129. It is elusive, wild, and free. Good hiking boots are a must. To get to the trailhead, walk through the building to the other side. Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. The entrance gate on U.S.Highway 62/180 is locked each evening. Bring at least 3 liters of water per person in the summer if you plan to hike to the Notch. Difficulty: A steady, sometimes steep climb to Lost Peak, then tracking the canyon rim Trail conditions: To get started on your day hike in McKittrick Canyon, access the trailhead just behind the McKittrick Canyon Visitors Center. Most people begin their journey at the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead. Baughman (1950. Each year, the good folks at TPWD stock hundreds of fishing spots around the state with hundreds of thousands of ready-to-catch rainbow trout. The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Sort By: It was spectacular! Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. Dogs are not allowed on trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. This is the steepest, narrowest, and rockiest part of the trail. Dont miss our article Best Things to Do in Big Bend for great things to do in the park. The clubbing life in South Texas. 1973 516 2000 2000 33.603859999999997-111.5317. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You wont be missing out this shorter version of the McKittrick Canyon hike is brimming with things to see and experience, unlike anywhere else in the state of Texas! There were beautiful views all along the way, and pretty places to stop and rest. However, if you plan to hike to the Notch, I recommend wearing hiking shoes. GET SNEAK PEAKS | BEHIND THE SCENES | EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! The surface of the trail is gravel and easy to walk. As you will come to learn about six months from now, it gets hellishly hot here in the summertime, and while the states many rivers and creeks can maintain refreshingly cool temperatures through the warmer monthsif, that is, they dont completely dry up and blow awaythey do not, McKittrick Creek notwithstanding, stay chilly enough to support trout, who prefer a sub-70-degree water temperature. A Look at Mckittrick's Naturalized Rainbow Trout - 2 Skiff Fly Line Management - THREE STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM! The Guadalupe Mountains rise into the flatness of West Texas along the Texas New Mexico border. Time Estimate:1 hour Winter tides and weather are formidable foes especially in the Lower Laguna Madre system. Wallace Pratt, a petroleum geologist who was charmed by the beauty and geology of the Guadalupe, purchased land in McKittrick Canyon in the 1930's. In 1959, Pratt donated his land to the National Park Service. The information center at the trailhead was pretty luxurious and if you were to go directly to the canyon trailhead, theres plenty of information to make your hike. The Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas Location of the Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas #1: Santa Elena Canyon #2: McKittrick Canyon #3: Palo Duro Canyon #4: Caprock Canyon #5: Seminole Canyon Gear Recommendations for the Best Texas Canyons The Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas A brief period of military camels in Texas became lost to even most history books. 7. We had excellent weather and the colors were absolutely gorgeous. Then I hiked into the Canyon and climbed up to McKittrick Ridge for. Still the experience and the wildlife was everything I wanted for this hike. For the first 2 hours, you are in the canyon, a valley, very flat. We met the National Park Services Fred Armstrong and Jeremy Markuson at the southern headquarters and were given their orientation on the history of the rainbow trout in the canyon and scientists exchanged their ideas on information they have and would like to have on the canyon creek. One Yucca we photographed is easily 40 feet tall. Its a big event, and my first visit to the event. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 10 h 29 min to complete. We saw many families with children returning as we were striking out. The gates do close at 5 and you need to make sure you are out before then. McKittrick Canyon (Guadalupe Mountains National Park) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Tourism, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Vacation Packages, Flights to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Travel Forum, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Travel Guide, All Guadalupe Mountains National Park Hotels, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Hotel Deals, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Campgrounds, Guadalupe Mountains National Park Pet Friendly Campgrounds, Hotels near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Motels near Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), All things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Canyons in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Geologic Formations in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Mountains in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Hiking Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Bodies of Water in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Historic Sites in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Ranches in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Visitor Centers in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Caticlan to Boracay - Airport Transportation (One-way), Underground Tour: From the City of David to the Western Wall, Northern lights and Aurora Photgraphy with Warm Geodesic Dome, Anchorage City Tour w/ Taste of Wild Smoked Salmon & Reindeer Sausage, Strip Club Crawl And Open Bar Party Bus in Las Vegas, NYC Horse Carriage Tour with Drop-Off at Tavern on the Green, Plimoth Patuxet, Mayflower II or Plimoth Grist Mill Combo Admission Ticket, 1 Day Canopy Walk Adventure in Nyungwe Forest National Park. Its almost easier to think New Mexico, than to believe something as beautiful and impressive as El Capitan is on the Texas side of an invisible line. For mountain hiking that traverses desert floors to forested peaks, look no further than the highest point in Texas at Guadalupe Peak! Imagine, however, if it turned out that none of that was true. McKittrick Canyon Trail Since McKittrick Canyon is a hundred miles east of El Paso and two hundred miles due west of Midland, you could say it's in the middle of nowhere. The deep canyon offers breathtaking views and provides visitors with many hiking opportunities suitable for every level. See what else this Mountain Range is Home to at, *And since were on the topic of checking off National Parks, keep track of all the National Park gems youve been to, and still plan to visit, with, Best Small Towns in Texas: Road Tripping Through West Texas, The Only Hiking Checklist You Will Ever Need: The 10 Essentials Plus, Complete Guide to the Humphreys Peak Hike: Highest Point in Arizona, The Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend: Hiking to the Top of a National Park. We visited McKittrick Canyon in mid-October, and were there just as the fall color changes were starting; it would probably have been even more impressive a week or two later. All in all, this is the one hike you don't want to miss if you're visiting Guadalupe Mountains NP (sorry Guadalupe Peak!). If you go there, consider staying at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn. For a hike this long, pack a picnic lunch. As long as you are not in a large group, the restaurant is very good as well. Saw many families with young children enjoying the shallow stream crossings. I knew I had to go back and explore Guadalupes canyons more, and I was equally impressed. Difficulty:moderate. But your reward is better views, an overall more interesting hiking trail, and just a fraction of the number of people that the McKittrick Canyon Trail. Fairly easy 4.8mi RT hike (but it is mostly walking on gravel and river rocks, vs packed trail). We were a bit early this year to see full fall colors, but there definitely were some, especially between Pratt Cabin and the Grotto. Yet Texas fly fishermen find themselves in a bit of a predicament when it comes to this addictive passion; there is no trout species native to Texas. . For another, back then there were other waterways in far West Texas that actually did support native populations of trout, specifically an indigenous species known as Rio Grande cutthroat trout, so named because these denizens of the Rio Grande have a distinct ruby-colored band along the chin area that sort of resembles a cut throat.