NRT Database

Location: The trail is located between Guadalupe Peak, Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the boundary of Carlsbad Caverns National Park at White’s City, NM and passes through Bureau of Land Management and Lincoln National Forest property.
State(s): Texas, New Mexico
Counties: Hudspeth, Texas, Eddy, New Mexico
Longitude: -104.860454
Latitude: 31.891358

Driving Directions

From Carlsbad, New Mexico, drive 55 miles south to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park Visitor Center. From El Paso, Texas, drive 115 miles north to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park Visitor Center. The trail starts at Guadalupe Peak, and ends at the boundary of Carlsbad Caverns National Park just west of White’s City, NM.

Description

Guadalupe Ridge Trail: An Extreme Trail Experience.

Challenge yourself and experience the extreme hiking trek of the full 100 miles through the newly designated Guadalupe Ridge trail (GRT) which in places can include equestrian and stock, motorized vehicles, and bikes. Thru-hiking takes more than a week to complete with limited resources. Or take a one, two or three-day excursion for a multiday backpacking trip. The trail traverses the rocky peaks of the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak (8,751’), to the challenging mountainous landscape of the New Mexico Chihuahuan Desert.

The trail starts in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, at the highest point in Texas which is Guadalupe Peak (8751 feet). Some sections of the trail in the Guadalupe Mountains climb and dip over a 60% solid rock grade and are very rugged terrain. Almost 40% of the main trail is double track; 60% is single track when including the Sitting Bull Falls segment of the trail. The trail travels through Chihuahuan desert, mixed coniferous forest, and riparian woodlands before exiting the national park to the Lincoln National Forest. The national forest has mixed coniferous forest along with spectacular rocky canyons. An optional loop will take trekkers through Last Chance Canyon and Sitting Bull Falls, a desert oasis with a series of small waterfalls and pools. The trail continues through Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Bureau of Land Management property with stunning views of the rugged and unforgiving Guadalupe Ridge. Trekkers can stop through the Caverns Visitor Center before dropping into White’s City, New Mexico and the end of the Guadalupe Ridge Trail.

Additional Details

Width: 18 inches.
Primary Surface: Soil, Compacted
Secondary Surface: Rock, boulders
Soil, compacted

Average Grade: 20%
Maximum Grade: 60%
Elevation Low Point: 3,647
Elevation High Point: 8,751
Elevation Gain (cumulative): Not Available

Year Designated: 2018

Supporting Webpages and Documents

Contact Information

For more information and current conditions, contact the trail manager (listed below). For questions, suggestions, and corrections to information listed on the website, contact American Trails.

Information Contact:
Robin Koch
Acting Recreation Program Manager
Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
5203 Buena Vista Drive
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-4181
[email protected]

Trail Management:
Eric Brunnemann
Superintendent
Department of the Interior, National Park Service
400 Pine Canyon Drive
Salt Flat, TX 79847
(915) 828-3251
[email protected]

Trail Management:
Douglas Neighbor
Superintendent
Department of the Interior, National Park Service
3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 785-2232
[email protected]

Trail Management:
Robin Koch
Acting Recreation Program Manager
Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
5203 Buena Vista Dr.
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-4181
[email protected]

Trail Management:
Jim Stovall
BLM - New Mexico Pecos District Manager
Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
620 E. Greene Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-5972
[email protected]

Information Contact:
Elizabeth Jackson
Public Information Officer
National Park Service
400 Pine Canyon Drive
Salt Flat, TX 79847
(915) 828-3251 x2300
[email protected]

Information Contact:
Tracy Hughes
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Bureau of Land Management
620 E Greene Street
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-5992
[email protected]

Information Contact:
Dennis Brockman
Customer Service Representative
Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
5203 Buena Vista Drive
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-4181
[email protected]

Trail Management:
Melissa Buzzard
Recreation Manager
Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
5203 Buena Vista Drive
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 885-4181
[email protected]