Guadalupe Mountains NP(Bush Mountain/Tejas Trail L

Hike Name: Guadalupe Mountains NP(Bush Mountain/Tejas Trail L Location: west TX Length: 28 Submitted by: Lawrence( Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Texas trail reviews Texas national parks Texas state parks
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Description
The hike begins at the Pine Springs Trailhead, which is near the main visitor center, and is known as the Tejas Trail. Water is not available in the backcountry so carry what you need. This national park misleads many into thinking the entire park is nothing but succulents, rocks & dirt. Many people are surprised to find a dense forest once over the intial 2,000ft ridge. The intial hike up the ridge is a net gain of 2,000 vertical feet & covers almost 4 miles. All trails are easily detected, except for the trail dropping down Blue Ridge into the Marcus Basin. Follow the rock cairns in the this trail section and you'll do fine. Dog Canyon campground is a good spot to refill water bottles. There is a ranger station 1/8 mile north up the dirt road. I suggest 3 nights, 4 days to complete this clockwise hike. Camp at Bush Mountain(1st night), Marcus(2nd night), & Mescalero campsite #1(3rd night). The backcountry is dense with Ponderosa Pine & Douglas Fir at higher elevations. Pinyon Pine, Juniper, & Madrone dominate the lower elevations. There are a few Black Bears, Mountain Lions. Educate yourself on what to do in case of an encounter before you begin the hike! I encountered a mountain lion on the Tejas trail near the Juniper trail and it didn't run away like a black bear normally does. All my experiences(4) in this park have occurred between late November to early March. Expect lots of wind, the possibility of snow-covered trails on north & west-facing slopes, and temperatures ranging from the 70's in the day to the single digits at night. Hang your food at night to avoid possible bear encounters in camp. This park doesn't have bear problems and shouldn't if common sense is used by hikers. This loop allows you to see all the main features of the park. There are no park entrance fees. If you decide to camp at Pine Springs or Dog Canyon, it costs around $7 each night per campsite. Trails Illustrated has a detailed topographic map on this park and is suggested. If you go during Spring Break and Christmas, expect crowds. Otherwise, I've had the park, mostly, to myself.

Directions to Hike
The park is located 51 miles southwest of Carlsbad, NM on Hwy 62/180. Westbound I-20 & I-10 travelers can exit at Pecos, TX or Fort Stockton, respectively, and follow Hwy 285 northwest. At Orla, TX turn left on Hwy 652 for 41 miles, then turn left on Hwy 62/180 for 21 miles. The park entrance is on your right. Eastbound travelers should follow Hwy 62/180 east out of El Paso for about 100 miles. The park entrance will be on your left. You can't miss it. Attention!!! The closest gas station/soda machine is in Whites' City, NM, 35 miles northeast of the park on Hwy 62/180.

Contact Information
Superintendent,
Guadalupe Mountains National Park,
HC 60, Box 400,
Salt Flat, TX 79847-9400, (915)828-3251, e-mail: GUMO_Superintendent@nps.gov

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