Hunter Peak is located in the romote and beautiful Guadalupe Mountains National Park (for more information on the park, see the Guadalupe Peak page), located in West Texas just south of Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The Guadalupe Mountain Range is the largest exposed ancient fossil reef in the world. Overshadowed by the other more popular national park in Texas, Big Bend, the Guadalupe Mountains have something that Big Bend doesn't have; bragging rights to the best view in Texas atop Hunter Peak, and the prettiest spot in Texas, McKittrick Canyon. It is also host to seven of the nine 8,000 ft. peaks in Texas.

Hunter Peak from Pine Top Backcountry Camp

Hunter Peak, Texas' sixth highest summit, dominates the skyline 2600 ft. above the Guadalupe Mountains Headquarters at Pine Springs. It is located on the other side of Pine Springs Canyon from Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas. Views from the summit of Hunter Peak are spectacular, reaching 100 miles well into New Mexico and Texas on clear days.

Climbing Hunter Peak is relatively easy, however, since it is not the highest peak in Texas like its neighbor Guadalupe Peak, it is climbed far less frequently. As an added bonus, a hike through the Bowl (see also the Mt. Pratt page for information on The Bowl) is required in order to summit. The Bowl is a suprisingly dense conifer forest that is a remnant of a time 15,000 years ago when the climate throughout Texas was cooler and moister. The forest was able to survive in the higher and more protected elevations of the Guadalupes.

I don't know this for a fact, but the mountain is probably named after J.C. Hunter Jr. Mr. Hunter sold 70,000 acres of his Guadalupe Mountains Ranch to the park service which became part of the national park.

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 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 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.

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 Hunter Peak 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

External Links

More Guadalupe Mountains Information

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