Guadalupe Mountains National Park U.S
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National Park Service Guadalupe Mountains National Park U.S. Department of the Interior Visitorsummer/fall Guide 2015 Fall/Winter 2019 FindA Sky Your Full Adventure of Wonder and a Mosaic of Biodiversity On the Guadalupe Ridge Trail Photo by Artist in Residence Ethan Smith By Elizabeth Jackson for 23 miles along Highway 62/180 and posed range. Facilities at the trailhead Greetings GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK turn right on FM 1576 just before you include accessible parking, RV/bus WELCOME TO GUADALUPE MOUNtAINS is full of wonderful surprises. From the reach the town of Salt Flat. Travel north parking, picnic tables with shade struc- National Park. Guadalupe Mountains disappearing streams of McKittrick 17 miles and then turn right on William’s tures, as well as pit toilets. Camping is National Park protects one of the world’s Canyon to the Sky Island coniferous Road. Continue on the dirt packed road strictly prohibited in this area. best examples of a fossil reef, diverse eco- forest and meadow of the Bowl trail, no for 8.5 miles. Use caution and travel systems, and a cultural heritage that spans matter where you hike in the park, there slowly. There is no water, so be sure to As you begin your 1.5 mile hike to the thousands of years. is always something unique to experi- bring what you need. dunes, you enter ecologically sensitive ence and learn. One area of the park terrain. The area landscape leading to Our park staff are here to help make your that is often overlooked is the Salt Basin An alternate route to the dunes incor- the dunes is fragile and visitors are asked visit a truly memorable event and will be Dunes. Located along the western area porates a visit to Dell City first. Travel to stay on the trail. A darkened cryp- happy to help you plan your visit in the of the park, they are tucked away, down west on Highway 62/180 for 30 miles togamic crust can be observed on the park and surrounding areas. Guadalupe a secluded, rugged road. This is an area and turn right on FM 1437. Continue for sandy soil alongside the trail. This crust Mountains National Park has over 80 miles where expensive cars fear to travel. 13 miles, and look on the left side for the assists vegetation and allows it to take of hiking trails to explore, ranging from The Salt Basin Dunes glisten in the sun, familiar National Park Service arrow- hold, while providing a thinly layered wheelchair accessible paths to strenuous beckoning the adventurous to trek into head signaling the park contact station. nitrogen source. This delicate layer also mountain hikes, including an 8.4 mile its white, shifting landscape. Although Enter the parking lot into the Dell City helps the dunes resist the strong winds roundtrip hike to Texas’ highest mountain, these sand drifts originated in an area Contact station to visit the new exhibits and prevents erosion. Guadalupe Peak (8,751'). once covered by water 1.8 million years and listen to a brief electronic narration ago, they have no water current to regarding park logistics and information Once at the dunes, as you look over to As you travel and spend time in the area change the ripples now. The wind and on the dunes site. From the contact sta- the north end, a sixty foot high dune please remember to keep safety in mind. wildlife are tasked to paint patterns in tion, visitors can continue to the dunes rises, meeting the nearby western Deer and other wildlife are plentiful—en- the sand here. Created by a fault in the by driving north through town and mountain range. Smaller dunes sur- joy watching wildlife, but remember they crustal rocks some 26 million years ago, turning right on FM 2249 and then right round the area and soft red quartz grain often move across roads, especially in the the gypsum grains cover almost 2,000 on FM 1576. Then turn left on William dunes can be seen north of the Patter- evenings; be vigilant while driving during acres on the western range of the park. Road (about one mile from FM2249). son Hills area, giving the illusion of a twilight hours. Hikers should be prepared This stunning, austere beauty calls the When visitors arrive to this day use area, misty pink landscape. Many will visit the for rapidly changing weather conditions. visitor who is looking to explore more they can learn more about the dunes Guadalupe Mountains and never ven- Hikers can become dehydrated in our dry remote areas. and the western escarpment formation ture to the Salt Basin Dunes, but these climate, so carry plenty of water (one gal- from the recently installed interpretive gypsum sands reflect and beckon the lon per person per day is recommended). The Salt Basin Dunes picnic area and wayside exhibit that provides visitor seasoned hiker who is seeking the road Always check with a ranger before ventur- trailhead are located 50 miles from the information on the geology of the ex- less traveled. ing into the backcountry. Pine Springs Visitor Center. Travel west We wish you a rewarding experience in Hiking Information Page 4 every way. Inside Parks as Neighbors Page 2 Prepare for Changeable Weather Page 5 Sincerely, Got a Wild Question About the Park? Wildlife & You Page 6 Ask Lupe the Ringtail! Page 2 Wildland Caving & Sitting Bull Falls Page 7 Eric Brunnemann P.B. King: Geology Giant of the (Lincoln National Forest) Superintendent Guadalupes Page 3 Nearby Attractions Page 8 tain a balance between what happens to fall let’s develop life-long connections between The National Park Service was Parks as Neighbors on one side of a park boundary and what the public and their parks. To do this ef- created in the Organic Act of 1916. The new agency’s mission remains outside of it. fectively, we must identify the needs of as managers of national parks By Tyler Young, This is precisely why parks must become surrounding populations. Parks can be a and monuments was clearly Community Volunteer Ambassador part of communities. As the Department place for healthy recreational activities in stated. of the Interior puts it, parks must “be a the absence of other options. Imagine that: “....to conserve the scenery and the natural I OFTEN THINK THAT EVERY PERSON SHOULD better neighbor ... by improving dialogue a doctor prescribing their patient a weekly and historic objects and the wild life therein HAVE a national park that they consider part and to provide for the enjoyment of the and relationships with persons and entities hike! Or a counselor referring their client to same in such manner and by such means as of their community. A quick glance at a bordering our lands.” Much of this effort is an art therapy program in a nearby park. We will leave them unimpaired for the enjoy- map, though, makes it seem like that’s just focused on the “entities” in that statement: could see on the dinner table food grown in a ment of future generations.” not possible. Many towns and cities don’t municipal governments (and their tourism volunteer-tended plot at a historical farm site. To support that mission, the col- have a park nearby, and the inverse holds as boards), corporations, and social organiza- On the weekend, one might attend a cultural lecting of natural and historic well; many parks - like Guadalupe Moun- tions. There is still plenty of room left for event at their favorite park, and stay afterwards objects is prohibited. tains - are geographically isolated from most the “persons,” however. Parks like Guada- to watch a skilled volunteer share their passion people. However, if we consider a commu- lupe Mountains are investing in volunteer for astronomy at a star viewing party. nity not as a boundary drawn on a map, but events and opportunities. Whatever your Seeing a park ranger may never be as regular as as a set of experiences shared with people, skillset or interests, you are likely to find a seeing your local bank teller, or grocery store new opportunities are created. Likewise, we park that fits. Whether you like photogra- clerk. There is plenty of room, though, to make Telephone and can also alter our definition of a park. It’s phy, hiking, backpacking, citizen science, or parks part of people’s weekly, monthly, or Web Directory common to think of national parks merely education, there’s a park looking for some- yearly routines. The first invitation was sent in as lands “set aside” by Congress, as if with one like you to volunteer on a short- or 1872 from Yellowstone. The Guadalupe Moun- Guadalupe Mountains National Park 400 Pine Canyon Drive the stroke of a pen one could magically long-term basis. tains sent theirs one hundred years later. There Salt Flat, TX 79847 fence off thousands of acres and protect it will never be a deadline to accept. 915-828-3251 ext. 2124 from outside influence. This all-protective It’s a bold proposition, but a simple one: ...Ask Lupe! continued www.nps.gov/gumo boundary does not exist. Rather, parks must let’s push parks beyond being a once-in- Facebook Lupe, www.facebook.com/Guadalupe.Moun- work with people near and far to help main- a-lifetime vacation destination. Instead, Do you allow campfires in the park? We tains like to roast s’mores! Twitter Gregg T. @GuadalupeMtnsNP Salutations Gregg! Instagram We never allow campfires in Guadalupe guadalupemountainsnps Mountains National Park! It’s way too dry Food, Lodging, and Camping and hot here for fires.