TOUGHEST HIKE in TEXAS? | Backpacking McKittrick Canyon | Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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

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!

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.

The first section of that hike, from trailhead to the grotto is extremely popular during the fall color change (search McKittrick fall colors). It's an easy 7-mile round trip with an elevation gain of just 600 feet. Your extended route adds four miles and 2,700 ft. elevation gain/ SO your total trip was about 7.5 miles with an elevation gain of 2,700 ft. BTW - Nice music. If you want the TOUGHEST version, take a friend or two with two cars. Leave one at the campground take the other one to the trailhead and hike through the wilderness (north to south) on the trail you took, but got thru the "bowl". It's 22 miles long and gains 6,300 ft.

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.

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.

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.

We've hiked GMNP several times & have seen mountain lion on every trip over the years. Love the serenity of the place.

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.

Just want people to understand that to get from Pine Springs Campground to the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead involves a 12.5 mile drive that leaves the park boundary on US Hwy 62-180 and heads north/east before re-entering the park. Your edit @ 1:05 might lead people to think the trailhead leads out of the campground.

That is an awesome trail. Incredible views. Great video and channel. Subscribed. ✌️

19:58 made me plan my trip .

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 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 :-)

Wow them views ! Got to get up there ! Thanks for sharing.

I spent six months working as a volunteer in the park. It’s tough but rewarding. I think Dog Canyon was the hardest ascent.

Awesome video. Guadalupe mountains is on our list to go hiking soon . Be safe

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.

Awesome video. Now I have an idea what to expect.

I always stop at the Grotto in order to make this a day-hike. That way I can return to Pine Springs to make dinner. The next day I always visit Carlsbad Caverns.