The Permian Reef Trail heads off to the right and the McKittrick Nature Trail heads off to the left. Color and intensity can change quickly, so make plans now to visit the national park soon. Not having to leave this great state to pursue these noble creatures is almost a return-to-the-promised-land scenario. Fixed: Release in which this issue/RFE has been fixed.The release containing this fix may be available for download as an Early Access Release or a General Availability Release. 6 miles round trip). The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 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. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. How to Day Hike The McKittrick Canyon Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains 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. Specifically, McKittrick Creek, which runs through the Guadalupe Mountains (no relation to the Guadalupe River), near the TexasNew Mexico border. My husband went as far as Pratt cabin, sat in a rocking chair there, and promptly fell asleep. It's quite an interesting mental exercise to consider the geological and biological factors in play. Abundant water was a part of this and one of the things that made this hike so interesting. The truth, the Texanist is sorry to report, is that there are no rivers in Texas, the Guadalupe included, that are cold enough to support a real trout fishery. Beyond Pratt Cabin, the trail narrows, the gravel disappears, and now you are walking on a dirt singletrack trail. We usually head out to Lost Maples to get a glimpse of Fall foliage but this year we made the trek to McKittrick Canyon. As previously mentioned, it is 6.8 miles roundtrip from the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead, to the fascinating Grotto formation, making this an ideal length for a day hike. South Padre Island and the Lower Laguna Madre fly fishing report. We quickly crossed a dry creek bed lined with golf ball size white river rock, and it was a lot like walking on a deep pile of golf balls. But your reward is better views, an overall more interesting hiking trail, and just a fraction of the number of people that the McKittrick Canyon Trail. 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. Please note: the Texanist is not sure how things work in Oregon, but in Texas theres a daily bag limit of five trout, with no minimum length requirement. That portion of the trail was also a gradual incline. 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! A: Welcome to Texas, Mr. Cleland. listed S. spilurus as having a range that included Texas. RT, and I think most families could do this. Your email address will not be published. Mixed shade and sun. and the fantastic "Clint" the largest on the market at $149.+ TX&SH Made right here in Texas, the good old USA, by me. PDF '2 35ri TS texas &d Other imposing residents include elk and black bear, though they are less likely to be spotted. The Texanist: Why Dont Texas Houses Have Basements? I am a full time teacher, wife, cheese-aholic, grammar nerd, and active traveler! I am a hiker, backpacker, camper, state highpointer, long distance runner, cyclist, kayaker, tower runner, and avid pursuer of new destinations that allow me to interact with them in an active way! Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. . We had excellent weather and the colors were absolutely gorgeous. Traveling clockwise, this fascinating, short trail passes an intermittent seep that lies hidden in junipers, then wanders up a southwest slope along an arroyo. TRUCKS + GREAT MOVERS! = WDA MOVERS! - labor / hauling / moving Trail very pretty and peaceful. Other than that, there are no native trout we know of in Texas. Wow! 1997 1036 5515 6000 35.291260000000001-106.4879. The Texanist, who is admittedly biased, suspects that the more you learn, the more youll love it here in your new home. Visitors must be out of the area before the gate closure time. The canyon features some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock in North America, and is a popular site for river rafting and rock climbing. This was the first hike recommended to me by the park rangers and if you only have one day, I think this or Devils Hall would be a good choice. Time Estimate:1 hour 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. I drove into the park and camped overnight at the Pine Springs Campground before I grabbed my permit. Which is why, says Steve Magnelia, Parks and Wildlife stocks lakes and neighborhood ponds with rainbow trout every winter. So we headed to next choice which was McKittrick Canyon. The initial start into McKittrick Canyon is deceptive. Towering ponderosas began to dot the landscape. TX Pine Springs Visitor Center at Guadalupe Mountains National Park If you are part of a large group, be prepared to wait awhile. The Texanist: Is There Really Only One Place to Go Trout Fishing in But what we may lack in trout, we make up in the diversity of our catchable piscifauna, including gargantuan bass, the freshwater fish for which Texas is probably best known. Estimated Time to Hike to the Grotto/Hunter Line Cabin Roundtrip: 4 hours. Beautiful views, colors and interest along the way. Leave them blank to get signed up. Texas Journal of Science 2:117-138.) The landscape isnt the only showstopper here in McKittrick Canyon. It will take most people between 6 to 8 hours to do this hike. We were a bit early this year to see full fall colors, but there definitely were some, especially between Pratt Cabin and the Grotto. David Courtney, a.k.a. The native range of the Rio Grande Cutthroat suspiciously cuts off right at the Texas border. After this initial departure, as the trail continues on and the resident peaks of Guadalupe begin to converge around the trail, it becomes more apparent that a rare and mesmerizing environment exists here. The views from the trail and the detours to the cabin and Grotto are just OKnothing all that spectacularwhich had me wondering why was this hike so popular? The canyon hike is almost as long as the summit hike, but less altitude gain. The detour to the Grotto is marked with a metal trail sign. My friend and I made the 5th ford across the creek when we decided to turn around, probably less than a 1/2 mile from the cabin. In the spring, the canyon bursts into life with an array of blooms. To get here, look for signage directing off to the left of the main trail indicating the Grotto. I would rank this shortened version of the McKittrick Canyon hike on the harder side of easy, and the easier side of moderate. Bucket list McKittrick in Fall- accomplished. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. When I did this, I started relatively early in the morning (about 8 am) and was the first person to the Notch. The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. So, is the McKittrick Canyon Trail worth it? Alas, as West Texas warmed and dried over the millennia, only relict populations of cutthroat remained. From the trailhead, you enter McKittrick Canyon. Uniquely lush and vibrant trees, including juniper, pine, and ash, begin to emerge and line the trail, surprisingly verdant. Although the hike lacks much vertical challenge, you lowlanders will be aware of breathing immediately, and need for hydration that comes with a dry climate at a starting altitude of 5,013 feet above sea level. We all had a great time at the entrance sign. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Beyond the Grotto, the hike gets much steeper to the Notch, though we didn't think the elevation gain was what made this section hard, it was the overgrown desert shrubs and vegetation which at times gave us cuts on our arms and legs. Our website uses cookies. 915-828-3251 Bring plenty of water. The Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas You Have to See in Person There will be a new video segment out soon, and it will go over the importance of keeping a fly fishing calendar, or diary, to help we who are of lesser memory and greater activity; to keep track of your fly fishing adventures as a reference of what can happen or no longer happens (in [], Texas Clay Fest Gruene Texas This Weekend. McKittrick Canyon is located about seven miles from the Pine Springs Visitor Center the headquarters for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We (two couples ages 45-60) hiked the McKittrick Canyon trail to the Grotto (approx. Oregon, what with all those abundant brisk and babbling waters, is indeed a trout fishermans paradise. All About McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park Maybe someday spring-fed Texas streams could once again support our native trout and provide it safe haven for the future. As long as you are not in a large group, the restaurant is very good as well. Wallace Pratt, a petroleum geologist who was charmed by the beauty and geology of the Guadalupe, purchased land in McKittrick Canyon in the 1930's. In 1959, Pratt donated his land to the National Park Service. McKittrick Canyon - Explore Texas The canyon is one of the few spots within hundreds of miles with maple trees, so at this time of year the scenery is spectacular. Those familiar with nature know that wildlife tend to care little for human boundaries. If you are looking to day hike McKittrick Canyon, then this is the ideal recommended itinerary! Although the drawing is rather generic, the description is correct for Cutthroat Trout, and of particular significance is the reference to a red band, a diagnostic character for Cutthroat Trout. 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). Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. As a jumping off point, Van Horn is approximately 55 miles from the entrance to the McKittrick Canyon portion of GMNP. Thousands of visitors come to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to visit McKittrick Canyon each year, especially during the latter part of October or early November for the sensational fall colors. 6 miles round trip). Cheers, Julie. Any Texas or southwestern U.S. road trip wouldn't be complete without experiencing all the outdoor adventures in Guadalupe Mountains National Park! Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. Carp Diem! The Texas Trout - University of Texas at Austin I want to hear more! Heres hoping that you find the elevated temperatures more advantageous than Oncorhynchus mykiss does. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. But your reward, once you get to the Notch, are awesome views of McKittrick Canyon in both directions. My mind dwells on, how long did it take for the vast geological changes to take place that isolated those fish? Catalogued, preserved specimens of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout from locations in Texas would have provided conclusive evidence, but it appears there are none. I walked the extra half hour out to the Grotto. All trailhead areas have accessible parking available. Rip & Go: McKittrick Canyon - Backpacker Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. Per the NPS web site (which I apparently can't link to in this answer but should be findable with a quick search), all trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park are currently open, but if you are planning a trip you should probably visit the site to confirm. It is possible to see McKittrick canyon without hiking 19 miles with tree days of water. From training resources, to select active travel destinations, I can teach you how to have a different kind of vacation, an active travel vacation! Ive heard its beautiful. West Texas may not inspire the same type of awe as the Teton mountains, or the cultural hotbed of, View Post Best Small Towns in Texas: Road Tripping Through West TexasContinue, There are two ways to develop a foolproof hiking checklist: from a series of carefully planned and successfully executed, View Post The Only Hiking Checklist You Will Ever Need: The 10 Essentials PlusContinue, Arizona, portrayed across Instagramthrough its painted deserts, red rocks, diverging canyons, and vast expanses. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. Wild trout in Texas who would have thought? 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. Baughman (1950. I think at some point, everyone asked everyone else individually if they had been to McKittrick Canyon, and we slowly realized just how unique this opportunity was going to be. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. 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. How to Hike to Guadalupe Peak, the "Top of Texas" - Earth Trekkers Yet Texas fly fishermen find themselves in a bit of a predicament when it comes to this addictive passion; there is no trout species native to Texas. Be sure to tell him where youre from. Hike the McKittrick Trail to Pratt Cabin, a distance of 4.8 miles, crossing the stream twice. Going in, there wasnt going to be a lot of technical information, like oxygen content, food sources, numbers of fish and such but that will be provided later from the data on file with the National Park Service. Part of the Guadalupe mountains national park in Texas. The information center at the trailhead was pretty luxurious and if you were to go directly to the canyon trailhead, theres plenty of information to make your hike. The Lone Star State, as youve apparently gathered, doesnt hold a candle to the Beaver State in the trout department. Trail surfaces are loose rock or hardened rock surfaces. E-Newsletter Archive. . Start the hike early, ideally by 8 am (but even better is early). . Please note that McKittrick, Smith, Devil's Hall are near peak and Dog Canyon is just past peak. There is a reason that this portion of the trail is one of the most sought after fall destinations in Texas, during which season the heavy foliage here shifts into blazing and vibrant golds, reds, and oranges! With just a few trees here and there, most of this trail is exposed to the sun. In fact, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is part of the same mountain chain that houses the other worldly depths of Carlsbad Caverns! | the "Tickler" at $129. Hike unlike anything around. Perhaps another asterisk is in order. Winter tides and weather are formidable foes especially in the Lower Laguna Madre system. Any Texas or southwestern U.S. road trip wouldnt be complete without experiencing, In fact, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is part of the same mountain chain that houses the other worldly depths of Carlsbad Caverns! . So as not to hijack another thread on this Forum, I thought I'd move this over to a new thread. I meet Tuesday with TPWD's Western Region Inland Fisheries Director, their Habitat Restoration Chief, and the fisheries biologist who wrote the original article about Rio Grande Cutthroats in Texas to map out our initial field trip. McKittrick Canyon: A Beautiful History - Donna Blake Birchell - Google From US Highway 62/180, turn onto McKittrick Road and drive to the very end. Fishes found in the freshwaters of Texas. I recommend doing these first and if you still have time, then hike the McKittrick Canyon Trail. McKittrick Canyon is designated as day-use only, with daily visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. You can get by with a good pair of walking shoes or running shoes for this hike if you only plan to go to Pratt Cabin or the Grotto. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Bryce Canyon Utah_x000D_ 3734N 11211W / 37.57N 112.18W February 25, 1928 35,835.08 acres . Best Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. 1973 516 2000 2000 33.603859999999997-111.5317. The trail was very good and well marked. Distance:0.9 miles (1.4 km) round-trip, loop We absolutely loved the McKittrick nature trial hike an unexpected gem! BLOWIN' IN THE WIND - Good Sam McKittrick Canyon: Lower Section to the Grotto and Pratt Lodge A Native Texas Trout - Texasliving Your email address will not be published. This historic cabin is closing in on a 100 year old birthday soon! You will also get ahead of the crowds and hike in the cooler part of the day. 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. You have the option to go farther or turn around and hike back to the parking lot. 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. As the park time had only recently change, we did happen on 5 unsuspecting deer in the creek bottom. McKittrick Creek, Guadalupe Mountains. Difficulty: A steady, sometimes steep climb to Lost Peak, then tracking the canyon rim Trail conditions: Nestled among towering limestone canyon walls, Mckittrick Canyon has a beauty that while not as majestic as the Grand Canyon, does have its own impressive diversity of plants, wildlife and scenery.