Backpacking the Most Beautiful Spot in Texas – McKittirck Canyon

Backpacking the Most Beautiful Spot in Texas – McKittirck Canyon

In Part 3 of my 3 part trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park, I hike through “The Most Beautiful Spot in Texas”, McKittrick Canyon. I start in the desert near the mouth of the canyon and eventually make my way past the Pratt Lodge, the Grotto, the Hunter Line Shack, and up one of the hardest climbs in the state to McKittrick Ridge Campsite. The views from the top are breath taking. After reaching the campsite, I have now finished every trail at Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
It was a great way to end my trip in a place that is very special to me.

50 Comments

  1. Lonnie Collier on January 12, 2021 at 5:51 pm

    I enjoyed very much, Thankyou 🕊

  2. Joe Trueblood on January 12, 2021 at 5:52 pm

    Awesome!!! Have you been on shummard peak??? That’s where I want to go 👍

  3. Exoterikes Taseis on January 12, 2021 at 5:54 pm

    I subbed to your channel and watched all of your Guadalupe videos at least once. As a result, I had planned a multi-day backpacking trip up there at the end of November. I even planned a few off-trail options. I may have to postpone the trip given the pandemic and the national parks’ reluctance so far to let people back into the backcountry to camp.

    Regardless, I want to thank you for sharing your GuMo adventures with us. What an awesome accomplishment to hike every trail and even tackle El Cap! You inspired me to make the ~13 hour drive and to maybe start documenting my own adventures going forward.

    Happy trails!

  4. Robert Lewis on January 12, 2021 at 5:54 pm

    Congratulations on your accomplishment. I’m sure you have inspired a lot of folks to get out there on those trails in the park and hike. I know that you have inspired me. I’ve been trying to get out there for years and in less than 2 months I’ll be spending a few days and nights on trail, with McKittrick Canyon on the list. You did a great job creating these videos and it is much appreciated. I look forward to any other hiking related videos that you make in the future.

  5. Don S on January 12, 2021 at 5:55 pm

    I live in Austin and I think you just motivated be to head out to Guadalupe Mountains National Park for a long weekend of backpacking! Looks just like the solitude I am looking for.

  6. The NotLostNomad on January 12, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Great video man! This was my go-to video for researching my trip to McKittrick Canyon last week. Keep it up, your channel is great!

  7. R Doody on January 12, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Finished Mackittrick Ridge on March 20 after doing the OML. Stayed one night in Fort Davis State Park while traveling between the two Parks. Your video was very helpful. Thanks!

  8. Huy Cao on January 12, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    Being from the super flat Houston area, it’s hard to imagine such terrain exists in Texas. It’s beautiful. Thanks for taking us along.

  9. Richard Crouse on January 12, 2021 at 5:58 pm

    Thank you for posting your hike. Watching it brought back good memories of my hiking there with my two sons many years ago when I had younger legs. ~ from Cut and Shoot, Texas

  10. ertatta on January 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    Stunning views from the ridge and really loved seeing the 2 cabins and the setting around them. Can’t wait to get back there and give this hike a shot. Really appreciate it!

  11. hikingtrainer(: on January 12, 2021 at 6:00 pm

    Now where the hell is this…

  12. Sanborn S on January 12, 2021 at 6:04 pm

    Nice video, I plan to do this hike soon. Thanks for posting this. Been wanting to do this now at 62 years old this year.

  13. Jeanette on January 12, 2021 at 6:05 pm

    I really enjoyed the video! I wish I known of this when I was young…

  14. Frank Castle on January 12, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Great video! Im a Geology student out in California and aquired a small book about the Geology of the Guadalupe Mountains. After reading about this area i think its a really cool place. I wanted to find out more and I found your video which I really enjoyed. I hope to make it out there in the future. Thanks again.

  15. dadoleyna on January 12, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    Great video as always. Would you consider trying the whole western escarpment from Guadalupe to Bush, or vice verse? That one is on my bucket list, if my knees allow me to try it.

  16. cake pie on January 12, 2021 at 6:08 pm

    You have balls going alone ha . im scared of mountain lions . missing 411 stuff..

  17. Joseph Joseph on January 12, 2021 at 6:09 pm

    Put a roof on the Hunter line cabin in 1990 while on an internship, great to see its still standing

  18. Richardson 75080 on January 12, 2021 at 6:10 pm

    Thanks for posting just found your channel. Will go check it out. Two questions, is there any lodging close by that you recommend ? What type of camera do you use?

  19. The Journey on January 12, 2021 at 6:11 pm

    You from Texas? We live in Dallas and I found you on another outdoor channel. I have visited Big Bend but not Guadalupe National Park great editing work in the canyon I loved this!

  20. A Holder on January 12, 2021 at 6:15 pm

    Hi I’m very glad to have found this video. My family has hiked to the cabin and grotto area twice, but never made it further. So glad we’re finally seeing the views from on Top.

  21. Greg Howerton on January 12, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    Really enjoy your videos. I used to live in Ft. Stockton, Texas and went to Big Bend several times but never GMNP. I waited until I moved to Tyler to start traveling to GMNP. 600 miles! Well worth it though! Visited the park during the fall of the last two years. Guadalupe peak, Devils Hall and McKittrick Canyon which I must say is the most beautiful place in Texas, especially when the trees are changing. I show people pictures of McKittrick Canyon and they think it’s Colorado. Anyhow, when I start yearning for solitude and can’t find it I just watch some of your videos. Can’t wait to head west again later this year.

  22. Son of Thucydides on January 12, 2021 at 6:19 pm

    Very good video! My wife and I will be heading to GMNP soon. We will base out of Dog Canyon Campground. We plan to hike up to McKittrick Ridge on one day, and up to Blue Ridge on another. Your videos have helped us to visualize our trip and plan for it. We’re seasoned hikers and I’ve always had the Guadalupe Mountains on my wish list. Now we’re going to do it! Wish us luck. Maybe we’ll see you on the trail sometime (we’re always hitting state parks and hiking trails throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas). The Ouachita Mountain region is also a great region; not so much for the peaks, etc., but it’s just a rugged, wild, great area teeming with all sorts of wildlife. Had a black bear mama that wanted to tear me up in 2016 (she had two cubs)! Anyway, loved your videos. Very helpful and informative. Cheers!

  23. James Smith, The Quiet Hiker on January 12, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    Good video. My wife and I have this National Park on our agenda for our planned trip out west when she retires in two years. (I’m already retired, but I don’t want to go to this Park without her.)

  24. Cake Pie on January 12, 2021 at 6:20 pm

    17:23 so amazing

  25. Chuck Littleton on January 12, 2021 at 6:21 pm

    Tough Trail ???? This flat lander in Central Florida didn’t even break a sweat while watching you going up or down the trails. Thanks for letting us enjoy the trails and scenery with your videos.

  26. Walk-the-Trails on January 12, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    Never heard of it. Seems like something to try.

  27. ShinerBock2007 on January 12, 2021 at 6:22 pm

    I was injured in highschool as a cheerleader……so both my knees are trashed..surgery on both……I can walk, but i would never be able to do this…so THANKyou for taking along for the ride!!!!

  28. NOTICE on January 12, 2021 at 6:24 pm

    Awesome

  29. BK Bland on January 12, 2021 at 6:26 pm

    Good stuff. That place is amazing.
    Thank you.

  30. Scott Strong on January 12, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    That hike up to the campground is soul-crushing. Many times were life choices questioned on the ascent. The campground doesn’t really make the hike worth it.

  31. Pack Mule on January 12, 2021 at 6:27 pm

    Great video man… That place looks so awesome!

  32. Jon W on January 12, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Love this video man! How many hours did it take you to get up there while you were feeling sick?

  33. dale kroll on January 12, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    Another great video.

  34. Lee Coffman on January 12, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    I enjoyed your video, beautiful area. I have visited Texas many times to see relatives, I was born in Denison TX. I was wondering if you were afflicted by :chiggers" , I have had them at times roaming in the wild in Texas, and they are a nuisance

  35. Leon DeVries on January 12, 2021 at 6:31 pm

    Thks, very good video! Hope to get out there later this year, but too old & bad shape (85) to do the strenuous hikes,still looks like the easier hikes would be great!!

  36. Cake Pie on January 12, 2021 at 6:31 pm

    What’s the exact location ! Love this . Might go instead of going to El Capitan .

  37. Javier Herrera on January 12, 2021 at 6:31 pm

    That would be awesome if you could spend the night in the cabin!

  38. Texaschainsaw on January 12, 2021 at 6:32 pm

    McKittrick Canyon is beautiful. Personally, I think Santa Elena Canyon is the most beautiful spot in Texas.

  39. Scott Klein on January 12, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    You da man, Cameron. I’m heading to Big Bend, Carlsbad, and Guadalupe in 2 weeks. These videos have helped so much. Thank you! Come visit and have a beer with us at Big Bend.

  40. Tim Eubanks on January 12, 2021 at 6:33 pm

    Just got back from the Pecos Wilderness and had to catch up on your videos. Great job on completion of the GUMO trails system. Congratulations man!

    You are the official GUMO guru on YouTube btw. A great help to anyone planning a trip out there. The campsite reviews and trail descriptions are very much appreciated. Thank you for putting in those details.

    Pecos is 10.5 hour drive from DFW. Worth the drive! I’ll lend you my map if you ever want to make the trip out there just let me know.

  41. Uncle Paul Persists on January 12, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    Congrats on accomplishing your goal. There is a lot more I want to do out there some day and I’m thankful for the info you have provided. Can’t wait to see what you choose to do next.

  42. Juan Rodriguez on January 12, 2021 at 6:35 pm

    Been up to the Guadalupe Peak twice, after seeing your video I am putting McKittrick on the list. Beautiful scenery every where you look in that park.  
    Thanks for sharing.

  43. HINGHE on January 12, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    Would you recommend using a hammock instead of a tent on this trip? I prefer a hammock, but what is your advice?

  44. Sad Sack on January 12, 2021 at 6:41 pm

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    We have a criminal, corrupt, immoral and deceitful monetary system.

    It is astounding that we continue to allow central banks and the fed to exist. They have always been a secretive, crooked and in equitable operation.

    There is overwhelming evidence we’ve been lied to and deceived for millennia on a grand scale about almost everything by a group of greedy, dysfunctional, entitled,  "elites," 13 families, council of 300 et al.

    A huge tapestry of deceit, greed & secrecy, to control and keep the true nature of humanity from ourselves, our history, true origin, destroy our pineal gland and keep us tied to debt, cause constant wars, confusion and tension for them to get more wealth, control and power over us until we and our descendants are eternally enslaved in this NWO Luciferian web.

    From the Annunaki, Adamu, even our redacted, edited and corrupt bible, nibiru, monoatomic gold, religion, wars, Lincoln, Jackson, Garfield, JFK,  the federal reserve, USS Liberty,  giant skeletons, abduction/disappearances, pedophilia, PNAC, COFR, Tri Lat Comm to 911 and now the war on "terror." The best way we can support our troops is by bringing them home now. Let’s stop battling enemies of the fed and start helping folks and create heaven on earth as we should.

    Let’s KRUSH da kabal!

  45. vandal nonesuch on January 12, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    I see this makes me want to kick myself! Lived in Dallas for years, never heard of the place. In’78, I’m driving to LA for work overseas, making a road trip of it, I passed the turnoff sign, but skipped it and went on (did visit Carlsbad Caverns, Mesa Verde, Sedona and The Canyon but I wish I’d made that turnoff!)! What a mistake! Oh, well, your imagery will have to do: at 70, I’d kick off on the trail!!! Been in LA since ’78, finally visited Lake Tahoe in 2019 – I seem to take forever to motivate!! Thanks for your video!!!

  46. 6343bryan on January 12, 2021 at 6:44 pm

    Great content in all your videos. I’ve done Guadalupe Pk twice and Mckitrick Canyon three times back in the 80s. Need to go back out there . Your videos show lots I haven’t seen.

  47. jesus fish on January 12, 2021 at 6:45 pm

    hi, I’m going to these mts. soon for a hike, any pointers/tips? thinking about hitting pratt cabin first then hike to the bowl on the same day. could I hike to mckittrick ridge then circle around to the bowl heading west, all in one day?
    Thanks, and really appreciate your vids

  48. Phil Christian on January 12, 2021 at 6:46 pm

    Thanks, Cameron this was great!

  49. Kevin Scott on January 12, 2021 at 6:46 pm

    Thanks Cameron, I’ve really enjoyed all of your videos on GMNP. I live in El Paso and have wanted to hike McKittrick for a few years now. Your videos have inspired me to tackle it this fall… they say the colors are spectacular.. looking forward to your next adventure.

  50. MrCuervo22779 on January 12, 2021 at 6:47 pm

    Awesome views from up top. Great video. I hope that I’ll be able to take that trip in a couple of years once my kids are a little older.

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