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Post by peakbagger on Oct 25, 2021 16:36:45 GMT -8
Hey all,
Coming up soon I have 3 full days for hiking, flying into El Paso. My primary plan is, in order:
1) Guadalupe Peak
2) Sierra Blanca Peak
3) Organ Needle
Items 1 and 2 are pretty much in stone, #3 is replaceable.
I prefer peaks over other types of hikes, knowing this I'm interested in anything so awe inspiring, even if it's not a peak, that I shouldn't miss it while I'm there. It might replace #3.
I'd also be curious to hear some bad weather options in the area.
Thanks
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Post by trinity on Oct 28, 2021 10:32:35 GMT -8
I'm not a peakbagger, so when I go to the Guads, I always head up into the Bowl area, which is absolutely beautiful and much less trafficked than the Guadalupe Peak. Depending on how soon your trip is, fall color might be at it's peak, so I would highly recommend hiking up McKittrick Canyon. The canyon should be beautiful (lots of Bigtooth Maple) and the views from the ridge are pretty awesome. It is a strenuous climb up onto the ridge from the bottom of the canyon. If you went up to the McKittrick Ridge campground and back that would be a round trip of about 15 miles. The high country in Big Bend National Park is pretty hard to beat as well. Though not super difficult, you might find Emory Peak to be very rewarding. Definitely fantastic views. Here is a TR from a few years back which includes some photos from Emory Peak and the South Rim. If you do a search, you should also be able to find a few Guad TRs I've written. Your itinerary includes a lot of driving time. If it were me, I would just drive to the Guads and spend my whole time there. Hit Guadalupe Peak one day, up Mckittrick another, then up the Tejas Trail into the Bowl the 3rd day. But that's just my own personal preference. Also note that, though I have never done it, there is supposedly an informal unmaintained trail from Guadalupe Peak to El Capitan which might interest you. I'd also be curious to hear some bad weather options in the area. Do you mean lower elevation options in case of snow? Big Bend would have plenty of options, as would the Organ Mountains. The Gila Wilderness is hard to beat. Big Bend Ranch State Park would be another good bet. I haven't made it to the Organ Mountains yet, so if you wind up there, please post a report! Hope you have a great trip. |
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Post by peakbagger on Oct 29, 2021 17:47:32 GMT -8
Hey trinityThank you for the response. I agree I have a lot of driving time, at minimum 9 hours. I have a flaw in chasing peaks on lists and often prioritizing them over more convenience or even better scenery, but I've allowed checking peaks of lists to become a significant part of my motivation. Sierra Blanca is actually the main peak to bag for me on this trip. I do appreciate the suggestions, and will absolutely look into the the unmaintained trail from Guadalupe to El Capitan. I have taken note of the other suggestions as well. For the bad weather question, while snow is one factor, I was thinking more like rainy weather... while I like my checklists I don't see much point to do them when any views will be obstructed. I was wondering about anything that might be worthwhile doing in rainy or cloudy weather. Thank you for the TR on Big Bend. I'll plan to add one if I stop in the Organ Mountains, currently on the list. Big Bend might be a plan B for me on this trip, but looks like somewhere I absolutely need to make it eventually. Great pictures. You mentioned you saw your first black bear in the wild?! Does that include not seeing any on the side of the road? Much of my hiking is in western NC where I typically have a sighting per year. The animal I've not seen that's supposed to be relatively common is a rattlesnake, Timber rattlers locally, but I've never crossed any type. I've seen plenty of copperheads, a dozen this year alone (on my running route, not hiking), but never a rattler. While part of me would like to see one at a distance, overall I'm okay with remaining at zero sightings. |
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Post by peakbagger on Oct 29, 2021 19:13:47 GMT -8
And I'm going next weekend.
I really didn't recognize it'd be time for fall colors in western Texas... I guess if it's not overcrowded I'll get to enjoy the colors.
Living near the Great Smokies I try to avoid them in the height of the fall colors just because it becomes so crowded.
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Post by trinity on Oct 30, 2021 7:09:11 GMT -8
We all have our prioriities! I'm not really one for peakbagging, but I definitely get it. And Sierra Blanca sounds amazing, I've been backpacking in the White Mountain Wilderness just to the north. Do you still need a permit to get to Sierra Blanca Peak? Also, you probably know this, but a lot of that area burned 7 or 8 years ago. Last time I was out there, much of the area looked like a moonscape.
Yes, this was the first (and still only) bear I've seen in the wild period. My wife and I lived in eastern TN for a few years, made multiple trips to the Smokies, and managed to never see a bear. Most of my backpacking is in wilderness areas in the mountain west, where bears are plentiful but skittish. I think I've only ever seen one Timber Rattler, but most of my time is spent in Western Diamondback Rattler territory.
If conditions are such that peakbagging is not a good option, I would go to the Guads and hike up McKittrick Canyon. It is really gorgeous canyon. Another great area is Dog Canyon, on the west side of the Guads. It is a long drive around, but much quieter and less frequently visited than the east side. There are also some great hikes along Bonito Creek in the White Mountain Wilderness outside Ruidoso. In the unlikely event of rainy weather, you should have plenty of good hiking options near any of these peaks you are planning to hit. Have a great time.
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Post by absarokanaut on Oct 30, 2021 8:17:01 GMT -8
Trinity has goven you some great stuff so here are a few different options should the weahter chase you North.
It was over 30 years ago so it is likely more "crowded" now but La Luz Trail in Albuquerque to the Sandia Crest or Sandia Peak is truly magnificent.
Chupadera Peak is not the most amazing thing in the world and you might choose to skip it but I enjoyed it. Bosque del Apache is one of the greatest Refuges in the entire NWR System. EARLY NOVEMBER IS OFTEN PEAK VIEWING TIME. Not only thousands of snow geese, etc., but Aplomado Falcons and other things we don't see in most of the country. Not far off the Interstate and not far south of Albuquerque. Giant Cottonwoods...just awesome.
Hope you have an awesome trip!
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