TOUGHEST HIKE in TEXAS? | Backpacking McKittrick Canyon | Guadalupe Mountains National Park
TOUGHEST HIKE in TEXAS? | Backpacking McKittrick Canyon | Guadalupe Mountains National Park
I took a solo weekend trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to explore a place that has been on my mind for quite a while… Mckittrick Canyon. I drove into the park and camped overnight at the Pine Springs Campground before I grabbed my permit. Then I hiked into the Canyon and climbed up to McKittrick Ridge for one night. I woke early the next morning and hiked out before I made the long drive home.
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Wow them views ! Got to get up there ! Thanks for sharing.
Awesome video. Guadalupe mountains is on our list to go hiking soon . Be safe
Was just here last week (around the same time you were a year later), and unfortunately only got to spend ~ 20 hours in the park (including camping), but fell in love with the rawness of this place (first wild tarantulas this Yankee has ever seen!) This video brought me back – Definitely stoked to get back someday and explore the backcountry. Thanks man!
Be sure to hike it in the height of the fall foliage season. The leaves are pretty and it’s cooler with less wind too.
Thanks for showing your hike. We’ve done the canyon, but only a short distance past Pratt’s cabin. I appreciate your sharing the rest of it.
That is an awesome trail. Incredible views. Great video and channel. Subscribed. ✌️
Great video and great hike, camping and views! Really great that you did it on your own. I wouldn’t do that without someone else along, so you’re a much bigger man than me 🙂
Can you park at the Mckitrick canyon trailhead overnight or is it day parking only?
We are about to do this hike in a few weeks!! Thanks for the view into the trail!! YOu were making me a nervous wreck on the edge at 17:45 . thanks for sharing!!
Best Guadalupe Mountains National park video I’ve come across. I love it out there and you thankfully showed what’s outside of the Guadalupe peak trail. Thanks for showing what Texas has to offer
NIce, but your left shoulder stap was hurting me. How did you deal with that thing all twisted like that. Or did you not feel it? I’m heading back to GMNP in Nov to hike the ridge and then head to Dodg canyon. They say ther hike to the ridge is one of the hardest in texas. looks stunning.
Wow beautiful nature host am enjoying seeing ur video stay safe always new friend here.
Fantastic video partner. How much water did you take with you? I want to do the hike in the second week of November to beat the heat and the desert wildlife.
Having done almost all of the notorious hikes in both Big Bend and the Guadalupes, I think the climb up Hunter Peak via Bear Canyon is a bit tougher than this one. This one’s pretty stiff, though. A great hike is up to McKittrick Ridge one day, down through The Bowl and up to Pine Top the next day, camp on Pine Top that night, climb Hunter Peak the next morning, then down to the Pine Spring Campground.
Tough Like the name says…
I did that one New Years Eve year before last. It rained off and on going up making it one of the most difficult and demanding hikes I’ve done, one things for sure, you’ll never forget it. Epic views everywhere. Great job
Great video. Looks like that trail was not much more than an animal trail at time.
Was there in 1997 (traversed over from Pine Springs after camping @Mescalero; a car shuttle trip). Want to go back now.
How much water did you bring
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Great video. Now I want to go. What time of year was this and how cold was it at night?
I can assure you that McKittrick canyon trail is far from the toughest hike in Texas. Two days ago my wife, a friend and I climbed to the summit of adjacent Guadalupe peak (8,751’) in 50-70 mph cold winds. We have also done the Lost Mine and Emory peak trail climbs at the Chisos mountains at Big Bend National park, both of which are far more difficult. Now McKittrick’s trees are peaking their beautiful Fall colors however.
Great video. You captured the beauty, the effort, and the WIND. No one can effectively explain the effort needed to traverse several of the trails at GUMO, steep terrain, wind, heat and you have to pack in all the water you will need. I met a seasoned Colorado hiker one July day who simply gave up on this hike about 3/4 of the way up because he had underestimated the effects of those factors and was cramping up, having consumed, already, most of his water. He told me the (sometimes loose) rocky terrain was WAY more of a challenge than he had anticipated. He also promised not to be a 14-er snob anymore, since he had been bested by an 8k climb.
So which is tougher, Mckittrick canyon or Marufo Vega?
Would you recommend using a hammock instead of a tent on this trip? I prefer a hammock, but what is your advice?
How long did it take you to get to the notch overlook? Thanks!
Thanks for sharing, exactly what I needed since I’m prepping for hiking this trail. Thanks!
Just watched your whole video. Looked like a great trip. I had a chuckle when you just started the elevation gain and said it wasnt that bad yet. It’s only funny because I knew what you were in for. And you found out. Awesome views from the top. Looks like you enjoyed your views from the ridge.
How’d you feel about having that other tent right next to you? I like my space. I dont think I’d like that. But that’s just me. You got to enjoy hiking with no one in sight. One of my favorite things about GUMO.
Awesome video. Makes me want to go visit GMNP.
We’ve hiked GMNP several times & have seen mountain lion on every trip over the years. Love the serenity of the place.
Awesome video. Now I have an idea what to expect.
This trail is not very hard… Just long.
What month did you do this?
Can you have a fire there ??
What month did you hike here in this video? Clouds are beautiful as well as the color of the canyon, also not much wind. Perfect!
How long was the hike from your campsite to the sunset overlook? Great video. Thanks for sharing.
Who said there is no beauty in TX and no mtns in TX?
How many miles round trip ? How much was the permit ? How much water did you take ? How long did it take you to hike up to your tent site ?
I spent six months working as a volunteer in the park. It’s tough but rewarding. I think Dog Canyon was the hardest ascent.
Ever had to pull that pistol?
19:58 made me plan my trip .
That seems more beautiful than South Rim at BB.