Mt. Pratt (unnamed on the U.S.G.S quad) is a remote peak in a remote park far away from civilization. This windblown summit will take you into the most central part of Guadalupe Mountains National Park between Pine Springs Canyon and the spectacular McKittrick Canyon. A rugged bushwack through parts of The Bowl and a wind exposed ridge will offer the seasoned hiker an opportunity to see and experience a seldom visited but very scenic part of the Guadalupe Mountains. Mt. Pratt is the 7th highest peak in Texas.

Mt. Pratt below the storm clouds to the left and Hunter Peak to the right.

I am going to try and get this unnamed peak named Mt. Pratt in honor of Wallace Pratt (see section below) who donated the land in McKittrick Canyon (see below) which became the beginnings of Gaudalupe Mountains National Park. Wish me luck.

CAUTION:

The Guadalupe Mountain area is one of the windiest places in the nation. Winds in excess of 100 mph have been recorded and high winds are common year round. Bring your Wal-Mart tent at your own risk.

Mountain Lions and 5 different types of rattlesnakes are located in this area. Read all the precautions and warnings at the ranger station. Despite their presence, I haven't seen any snakes (although I only go in winter and they are probably hybernating) nor lions in 7 trips to the Guadalupes other than some lion tracks in the snow. Dawn is the most likely time for a lion encounter. See this for information on mountain lion safety.

Wallace Pratt (1885-1981)

PRATT, WALLACE EVERETTE (1885-1981). Wallace Everette Pratt, petroleum geologist and conservationist, was born in Phillipsburg, Kansas, on March 15, 1885, the son of William Henry and Olive Belle (Bostetter) Pratt. He worked as a hotel night clerk and on the Kansas University Geological Survey while attending the University of Kansas and received a B.A. in geological studies and a B.S. in 1908. He earned a master's degree the following year and an engineer of mines degree in 1914 from the same institution.

Pratt was not just a successful oilman, however; he was also an environmentalist. He urged wide spacing of oil and gas wells, deplored the flaring of natural gas, and sought controls to prevent water pollution by tankers and refineries. He is likely to be best remembered, however, for his role in the establishment of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. He had first seen the mountains in 1920, when he and some friends drove the ninety-five miles from Pecos in a Model-T Ford. Pratt immediately fell in love with the Guadalupes and began buying land in McKittrick Canyon. Eventually he acquired 5,632 acres, and in 1930 the Houston architect John F. Staub built a stone house for Pratt near the mouth of the canyon. After Pratt returned to Texas in 1949, he lived there with his second wife, the former Iris Calderhead, although he continued to commute by private airplane to Carlsbad, New Mexico, where he had a consulting business. In 1961 he deeded his land in McKittrick Canyon to the National Park Service, stipulating that a park be established in the Guadalupes. Four years later, due to Iris Pratt's failing health, the Pratts moved to Tucson, Arizona.

In 1957, Wallace Pratt donated 5,632 acres of his beloved property to the U.S. Government for the creation of a national park. His gift along with a 70,000 acre purchase from J.C. Hunter Jr.'s Guadalupe Mountain Ranch ensured that Guadalupe Mountains National Park was authorized by congress in 1966, and officially opened to the public in 1972. Wallace Pratt died on Christmas Day, 1981; he was 96 years old. As per his request, his ashes were spread over the canyon he loved. The Stone Cabin remains as a monument to this pioneer conservationist.

Sources:

http://www.nps.gov/gumo/gumo/mckittrick.htm

The Handbook of Texas Online

McKittrick Canyon -- The Crown Jewel of Texas

Mt. Pratt overlooks McKittrick Canyon. McKittrick Canyon is a spectacular canyon jewel hidden and protected from the outside world between a narrow outer wall (Frijole Ridge) and the main range (includes Mt. Pratt). This 3,000 ft. deep canyon hides a riparian oasis below its big walls supporting some wildlife found in no other place on earth. Wallace Pratt donated this land to the National Park Service opening up the way for the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

The towering walls of McKittrick Canyon as seen from "The Notch".

There are over 50 species of mammals alone (including bobcats, mountain lions, ring tail cats, bats, mule deer, javelina, black bears, and wood rats), 55 species of reptiles and amphibians (including rattlesnakes and fence lizards), and more than 300 bird species that live in, or migrate through the park. 40 of those have been known to nest in McKittrick Canyon.

McKittrick Canyon is a confluence of diversity. Trees of the east, north, and west, the grasses of the plains, and the cactus and succulents of the desert join with the animal life of both mountain and desert here in this canyon. McKittrick Canyon is more than a single place, it is a collection of places. You can witness the diversity of life as well as the near magical collection of places here in this one canyon.

Your actions while visiting McKittrick Canyon will influence what future visitors and generations will experience, those from whom we borrow this place. During your visit to the canyon, strive to make your presence and impact indiscernible; consider yourself a guest in the home of creatures as significant as yourself.

Sources:

http://www.nps.gov/gumo/gumo/mckittrick.htm

http://www.guadalupe.mountains.national-park.com/sights.htm

The Bowl

In the mountain highcountry of the Guadalupe thrives a dense forest of ponderosa pine, southwestern white pine, Douglas fir and aspen. This conifer forest is a relict of about 15,000 years ago when the prevailing climate throughout Texas was cooler and moister. As the climate warmed, fragments of this forest survived in the higher elevations of mountains such as the Guadalupes. The forest is especially lush in the Bowl, a 2-mile wide depression atop the Guadalupe Mountains. Throughout this highland wilderness roam elk, mule deer, raccoons, wild turkeys, vultures, mountain lions, black bear, golden eagles and peregrine falcons."

Looking across The Bowl to Mt. Pratt (above tree) from the slopes of Hunter Peak

Text source:

http://www.guadalupe.mountains.national-park.com/sights.htm

Getting There

The trailhead to the base of the peak starts at Pine Springs, the headquarters for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Pine Springs is located in west Texas on U.S. 62/180 110 miles east of El Paso and 55 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico. There are no food, gas, or lodging services in Pine Springs. Don't show up with an empty tank. This is one of the most isolated parks in the lower 48.

The trailhead is about 1/4 of a mile up from the park headquarters where the road dead ends in a parking lot. At this point you will have two route choices. You can either take the Tejas Trail or the Frijole Trail. A round trip trek to Mt. Pratt can be used by hiking both trails.

Red Tape, Camping, and Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Information on Red Tape and Camping seem to change quite frequently so I will refer you to the Guadalupe Peak page so I will only have to maintain one section for all of the peaks in the Guadalupes.

Guadalupe Peak Page

When To Climb

The most ideal time to hike or climb in the Guadalupes is in the winter months. Be prepared for any sort of weather. It can be cold with extremely high winds, or it may be very pleasant. Snow is possible in the winter but infrequent. Get a pre-dawn start in the warmer months and beware of rattlesnakes and Mountain Lions. See this for information on mountain lion safety.

Caution: There are no water sources in the back country. Take plenty of water in the summer months. A gallon of water per person per day is recommended. Temperatures in the summer can be very hot and oppressive. Hiking up one of the steep, rocky trails in the heat of the day is not recommended.

Mountain Conditions

Images



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