Specifically, McKittrick Creek, which runs through the Guadalupe Mountains (no relation to the Guadalupe River), near the Texas-New Mexico border. Please exit McKittrick Canyon before the posted closing time. Part of the Guadalupe mountains national park in Texas. A WIDE PRICE RANGE: The original Rounder at $129. McKittrick Canyon Trail Since McKittrick Canyon is a hundred miles east of El Paso and two hundred miles due west of Midland, you could say it's in the middle of nowhere. Cellular Service. Therefore, Texas fly fisherman are relegated to traveling out of the great state of Texas if they wish to pursue non-stocked trout populations. Random notes on Texas fishes. Baughman (1950. A final feasibility study is expected to be finished sometime in 2018. How to Day Hike The McKittrick Canyon Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains *Recommended Day Hike Length: 6.8 miles roundtrip. For those looking to explore another unique ecosystem in the Guadalupe Mountains, namely its stunning canyons, look no further than the McKittrick Canyon Trail, and the surprises that are in store for those who take on a McKittrick Canyon day hike! Clouser Fly for Texas Saltwater fly fishing, Fly line mats for keeping fly line on boat decks keeping fly line on kayaks and drift boats. Parking It took me, at 62 and in pretty good shape, most of the afternoon. There is a self pay box at the trailhead, as well as a registry that all hikers should fill out for safety purposes. Legends of lost Spanish gold mines drew many unsuccessful prospectors before the turn of the century. 79847. MANDY SCOTT: A chance to return native trout to its rightful home For a hike this long, pack a picnic lunch. Specifically, McKittrick Creek, which runs through the Guadalupe Mountains (no relation to the Guadalupe River), near the TexasNew Mexico border. For the first 2 hours, you are in the canyon, a valley, very flat. We visited McKittrick Canyon in mid-October, and were there just as the fall color changes were starting; it would probably have been even more impressive a week or two later. Sure, any fish can be pursued through fishing with flies, but the heart and soul of the sport will always lie in the pursuit of the game fish it was invented for: trout. We absolutely loved the McKittrick nature trial hike an unexpected gem! From training resources, to select active travel destinations, I can teach you how to have a different kind of vacation, an active travel vacation! Still we saw most of what we wanted to see in the canyon. Step into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and you are stepping into Texas mountain time zone. Bear with me as this still may float around like a fall bigtooth maple leaf on McKittrick Canyon Creek. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. I am a full time teacher, wife, cheese-aholic, grammar nerd, and active traveler! account_circle The Rio Bonito is a tributary of the Pecos River and is known to have contained Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout at that time (Behnke, R.J. 1979. Saw many families with young children enjoying the shallow stream crossings. Gear & Gadgets on the Texas Fishing and Outdoors Show, http://www.grtu.org/archives/Cutthroat_in_Texas_Garret_Matlock.pdf, http://www.texasexplorer.com/guadmckcanyon.htm, http://www.texaskayakfisherman.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=72&t=131911&start=0, Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.3. I met yesterday with the Board of Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited and have their support for the project. As a stopping point on your way to somewhere else, Van Horn and the El Capitan will take you back in time, say 50 years. There are even tales of some stocked trout surviving well into spring and even through the summer on that stretch of the Guadalupe, which is likely the origin of the story that brought you to the Texanist in the first place. There is also a plethora of anecdotal evidence; for years there have been findings of photographs and accounts from the nineteenth and early 20th centuries of people finding and fishing for trout in the streams of West Texas, specifically in tributary streams of the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers. It is also a challenging and steep ascent of over 2,000 feet in elevation gain to summit the ridge and reach the campground. McKittrick Canyon | Pecos A Native Texas Trout - Texasliving Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program. Built in 1928 by Jesse Hunter as a hunting retreat, this establishment is but a second amazing testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of those who made Guadalupe Mountains their early homes. Different Types of Hiking: Which Type Are You? If you are wondering more about photography, be sure to visit my photography website - www.shannondrawe.com. Bring plenty of water. mckittrick canyon trout It's a gorgeous place. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes to get to the Grotto. That said, it is not, in fact, the case that the Guadalupe River, which originates in the beautiful Texas Hill Country and flows on down to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf Coast, is the only river in Texas cold enough to support trout. If you are lucky enough, View Post Complete Guide to the Humphreys Peak Hike: Highest Point in ArizonaContinue, There is a common misconception floating around out there that the state of Texas is all just flat and, View Post The Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend: Hiking to the Top of a National ParkContinue, What makes hiking so enjoyable, is that no matter the person, there are all different types of hiking, so, View Post Different Types of Hiking: Which Type Are You?Continue, I will always remember the day my husband and I bought our tour packages to run the Great Wall, View Post Guide to Planning a Trip to China: The Great Wall Marathon RuncationContinue, Your email address will not be published. It is short around a mile, but is interesting the entire time it was our favorite hike! Check out the 100 mile backpacking trek that connects the Caverns with Guadalupe Mountains National Park! Most of the elevation on the McKittrick Canyon Trail comes immediately after the Grotto and adjacent Hunter Line Cabin spur trail. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Towering ponderosas began to dot the landscape. The Notch Out-and-Back Hiking Trail, Pine Springs, Texas Again, welcome to the greatest state in the union. Hike The McKittrick Canyon Trails. Ive heard its beautiful. Location of the McKittrick Canyon Trail . Be sure to tell him where youre from. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. This historic cabin is closing in on a 100 year old birthday soon! And since one cant fish McKittrick Creek, it cant be considered an actual fishery. . Traveling clockwise, this fascinating, short trail passes an intermittent seep that lies hidden in junipers, then wanders up a southwest slope along an arroyo. 5h 12m Easy 4.3 (131) McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail Guadalupe Mountains National Park Length: 1.0 mi Est. It is the wider of the three trails and covered with bright white gravel. McKittrick Canyon is cut into the Guadeloupe Mountains and contains a relict population of ice age flora growing along an intermittent stream. Distance: 8 miles roundtrip to Mckittrick Canyon; 14.8 miles to McKittrick Ridge Elevation change: 1,500 feet Hiking time: 5-8 hours Highlights: The sweeping hills and valleys of Dog Canyon and the rugged beauty of McKittrick Canyon. If this is part of a bigger road trip to Texas and New Mexico, here is more information to help you plan your trip. That species is widely stocked around the state and there is one permanent population in McKittrick Creek, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where it was introduced in the early 1900s. In this guide, we cover the full hike on the McKittrick Canyon Trail to the Notch, with information on the shorter versions to Pratt Cabin and the Grotto, if you dont plan to go the full distance. McKittrick Canyon Trail Hiking Trail, Pine Springs, Texas McKittrick Canyon Trail Intermediate/Difficult 4.5 (12) Areas TX West Texas Guadalupe Mountains National Park Plan with onX Backcountry " A long and semi-technical canyon ascent that has some of the best views in west Texas! The path is gravel and wide. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. See what else this Mountain Range is Home to at, *And since were on the topic of checking off National Parks, keep track of all the National Park gems youve been to, and still plan to visit, with, Best Small Towns in Texas: Road Tripping Through West Texas, The Only Hiking Checklist You Will Ever Need: The 10 Essentials Plus, Complete Guide to the Humphreys Peak Hike: Highest Point in Arizona, The Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend: Hiking to the Top of a National Park. Two other scientists, Jim Brooks of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and Dave Propst from New Mexico, also part of the expedition, were staying in Carlsbad, New Mexico, which is just about the same distance from our rendezvous point. In this tiny part of west Texas, the foliage (brilliant reds, subtle yellows, and deep browns) contrasts dramatically with the flavor of the arid Chihuahuan desert that includes century plants, prickly pear cacti, blacktail rattlers, steep canyon walls and crystal clear blue skies. And here's a copy of another post on that thread with a link to an interesting article about the possibility of trout being native to Texas: McKittrick Creek is a small creek in McKittrick Canyon, a gorgeous place in the middle of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, elevation somewhere around 7000 feet (it's 7700 feet on McKittrick Ridge above the creek). The hike is lot more difficult beyond the Grotto. The year round creek begins to gurgle, making appearances as it runs parallel to this portion of the hike, providing an opportunity for several stream crossings. The deep canyon offers breathtaking views and provides visitors with many hiking opportunities suitable for every level. The current state record, FYI, pulled from the Nueces River in 2010, stands at 8.92 pounds and 26.5 inches in length. The trail is a moderate .9 mile round trip and takes less than one hour to complete. Off to the right, Wilderness Ridge looms over the canyon. Fall brings more changes than I can imagine. The Headquarters Visitor Center at Pine Springs is located off Highway 62/180 at 400 Pine Canyon Drive, Salt Flat, Texas 79847 just 55 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico, 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas, and 65 miles north of Van Horn. So why is Texas a nearly trout-free space? Here, plants and animals tolerate true desert conditions. However, the trout were not washed out. It is apparent here that McKittrick Canyon hosts a rich environment, bordered by increasingly striking mountain peaks on the horizon. If you missed the initial premise of this expedition, it was a joint effort pooling the skills of various organizations that included; Trout Unlimited (TU), Texas Parks And Wildlife, National Parks Service, New Mexico Parks and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU). From the trailhead, you enter McKittrick Canyon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. Less than an hour away from big sibling Carlsbad Caverns, visitors to the Grotto can get a little taste of this mini cavern. One Yucca we photographed is easily 40 feet tall. because of seeps and springs that flow out of the limestone formations of the canyon. Whether you come for the fall show, or plan your trip for another season, the beauty of McKittrick Canyon is always breathtaking. One walk through Mckittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and you to will be convinced. Perhaps another asterisk is in order. Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. You also have the option to continue on to the Hunter Line Shack and it takes about 4 to 5 minutes to walk here from the Grotto. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. A highlight of the park and a must-see for nature lovers is McKittrick Canyon. I wish trout could handle our climate. Then the trail moves upward into the mountain range and the view gets great. The northern entrance, Dog Canyon, is near the New Mexico and Texas borders. This is a very pretty trail in Guadalupe NP that is surprisingly lush considering that its located in a desert climate. How far is is from McKittrick Canyon to the next ecosphere that can support cold water fish such as the cutthroat? detour, the Grotto. 2 . We continued to The Grotto, another 1.0 mile where there are picnic tables. The Visitor Center is open daily except Christmas Day. From Pratt Cabin, it is just under a 1.5 mile walk to get to the next optional (but worthwhile!) We even saw two deer near the cabin. As the trail heads deeper into McKittrick Canyon, it crosses a dry wash several times and there will be one to two creek crossings (the creek may be dry depending on recent rainfall). McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout, but fishing is not allowed there. Introduced Rainbow Trout in particular have proven very troublesome for different native Cutthroat species all over the country, as their high degree of genetic similarity allows them to interbreed with Cutthroats. Always wanted to visit McKittrick Canyon for the Fall colors, and this trip did not disappoint. It was most likely a mixture of many factors: overfishing, the effects of agriculture and development on the environment, and competition from other introduced fish species. The trail feels more sheltered and its a little easier to walk, now that you arent hiking on loose gravel. The. Your guide to Fall Colors in the Guadalupe Mountains UT Spring Bee Competition 2023. So as not to hijack another thread on this Forum, I thought I'd move this over to a new thread. We did pass about 30-35 people on our return, but overall we were surprised the hike wasn't busier compared to what we had been warned. The first mile or so of the McKittrick Canyon Trail wind through the open and shrubby environment of the surrounding Chihuahuan Desert, through empty washes dotted with minimal, characteristically desert, vegetation.