Guadalupe Peak, the top of Texas

The walk starts at the Pine Springs Trailhead in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, half a mile from the Pine Springs Visitor Center. The first mile and a half is the steepest, in switchbacks up the open mountainside and past a cliff. The trail then turns onto the north side of the mountain, through a forest of pinyon, white pine and Douglas fir, to a false summit at nearly three miles. It passes the backcountry campsite, crosses a wooden bridge, and climbs past a view down on El Capitan to the summit, at 8,751 feet. Return the same way.

It is 8.3 miles (13.4 km) round trip with 2,640 feet (806 m) of climbing; allow about 6 hours. The grade is Hard: a good trail all the way, but long, steep and exposed to wind.

Winds of over 40 miles an hour are not uncommon here, and the summit is colder and windier than the trailhead: turn back in high wind or if storms build, as lightning is a real danger on the exposed peak. There is no water on the trail. The park says to carry a gallon each and to turn round when half of it is gone.

Entry is $10 a person, valid for seven days, paid by card at the visitor center or at the trailhead. Pets are not allowed on the trail.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.