(The Texanist prefers to do his swimming in water with a temperature just above the 70-degree mark, cool but not too cold. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. 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. South Texas weather patterns are fantastic right now at South Padre Island, and now its time to start packing for the North again. This information, though, comes with an asterisk. Hike The McKittrick Canyon Trails. So why is Texas a nearly trout-free space? The trailhead is located in the McKittrick area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 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. This is a very pretty trail in Guadalupe NP that is surprisingly lush considering that its located in a desert climate. 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. 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. Please practice the seven principles of Leave No Trace: plan ahead, stay on the trail, pack out what you bring to the hiking trail, properly dispose of waste, leave areas as you found them, minimize campfire impacts, be considerate of other hikers, and do not approach or feed wildlife. Some from TPWD mentioned that McKittrick Canyon was on their bucket list, or even at the top of their bucket list. The fact no one had been there added something to the excitement and just like a backpacking trip along a new trail, it also leveled the field and heightened anticipation. The final 0.25 miles up to the Notch is the most difficult. Devils Hall, which is in Pine Springs, is shorter and more fun than the McKittrick Canyon Trail, and it leads to a cool looking slot canyon. We had done Guadeloupe peak the day before and were pretty tired, so we had only planned to wander in for a few minutes. These beauties, who, with other species, likely expanded their range southward from their original more northern home during the Wisconsin glacial period, some 11,000 to 75,000 years ago, were once found not only in their namesake Rio Grande but also in the Devils River and Limpia Creek, in the Davis Mountains, as well as San Felipe Springs in Del Rio. Bring water. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. Texas Journal of Science 2:117-138.) Other imposing residents include elk and black bear, though they are less likely to be spotted. By the mid-20th century, trout were still being discussed as native or possibly native to Texas. The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. Here, plants and animals tolerate true desert conditions. Children under 13 years of age must have a parent/guardian's consent before providing If you have any questions about hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail to the Notch, let us know in the comment section below. Enter the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, a rare species found in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Parking was way less busy, there were restrooms and some interpretive signs (that VC is not open right now). Read that paper for background. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. Se puede acampar? Hike the McKittrick Trail to Pratt Cabin, a distance of 4.8 miles, crossing the stream twice. As we entered the park Saturday about 10:30 a.m., we were advised by a ranger that the park was almost full and we might not have a place to park. listed S. spilurus as having a range that included Texas. 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. 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. . Still we saw most of what we wanted to see in the canyon. We have a winner! Hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail to Pratt Cabin, the Grotto, and the Notch is one of the most popular hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Now, you are deeper in the canyon and there are a lot more trees and shade here. Voicemail messages are responded to within five business days. because of seeps and springs that flow out of the limestone formations of the canyon. and the BEST SELLER Clint the largest on the market at $149.+ TX&SH Made right here in Texas, the good old USA, by me. Our group hit the trail. Visitors must be out of the area before the gate closure time. It takes you through the foothills with many informational signs about various vegetation you see. Begin at the visitor center at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon to pick up a park brochure, view the outside exhibits, or start your hike into the canyon. McKittrick Canyon is a scenic canyon within the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and Eddy County, New Mexico. Rusty speaking goes with the rest of the rust. It is short around a mile, but is interesting the entire time it was our favorite hike! Hiking shoes. NPS Photo Traveling clockwise, this fascinating, short trail passes an intermittent seep that lies hidden in junipers, then wanders up a southwest slope along an arroyo. And You Thought Feral Hogs Were Bad. Make sure to go past the Notch another 300 yards or so for even more sweeping views. Please note Guadalupe Mountains is administer out of Carlsbad so on Mountain time and Daylight Savings keeps the park open until 6:00. This hike starts off relatively easy, as it is a mostly flat walk through the canyon to get to the first two sights, the Pratt Cabin and the Grotto. Find Out How You Can Explore the Best of Both Worlds at Once! Dont miss our article Best Things to Do in Big Bend for great things to do in the park. Day hikers typically walk to Pratt Cabin, for a 4.8-mile round trip, or to the Grotto, for a 6.8-mile round trip. 1935 1058 5200 7000 Wallace Pratt donated 5,632 acres of his beloved canyon to the National Park Service in 1957 opening up the way for the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The Chihuahuan desert contrasts with steep canyon walls, century plants, and prickly pear cacti. McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Address, McKittrick Canyon Reviews: 4.5/5. 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. Hope the picking up and re-throwing down of stakes went well. So what does this mean? Great day! 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! And since one cant fish McKittrick Creek, it cant be considered an actual fishery. Then I hiked into the Canyon and climbed up to McKittrick Ridge for. The elevation gain to the Grotto is minimal, at just around 300 feet elevation gain. For the first 2 hours, you are in the canyon, a valley, very flat. 79847. Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. 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. 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. McKittrick Canyon Trout Captured For Study . It's quite an interesting mental exercise to consider the geological and biological factors in play. Many species extended their ranges southward during the Wisconsin glacial period (75,000 - 11,000 years ago). So we headed to next choice which was McKittrick Canyon. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes to get to the Grotto. 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. Mckittrick Canyon. It is elusive, wild, and free. Cheers, Julie. Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. If the results find reintroduction feasible, a decision can be made on the removal of the non-native Rainbow Trout of McKittrick Creek, and the reintroduction of the native Rio Grande Cutthroats. Fly fishing is a much-romanticized pastime beloved by outdoorsmen the world over. The six hiked into McKittrick Canyon with electrofishing equipment and collected 26 trout that may possess genetic remnants of Texas' only native trout population Pat Hutson, trout program leader, said historical records of the region . 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. Most people begin their journey at the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead. McKittrick Canyon and its entrance are about seven miles northeast of the primary Visitor Center, also off US-62/180. So glad that we drove out to take a peek. You wont be missing out this shorter version of the McKittrick Canyon hike is brimming with things to see and experience, unlike anywhere else in the state of Texas! Its almost easier to think New Mexico, than to believe something as beautiful and impressive as El Capitan is on the Texas side of an invisible line. The bigger, the better :-). Additional land was purchased from J.C. Hunter, and in 1972, Guadalupe Mountains National Park was created by an act of congress. Although less than ideal, the historical accounts do present a likely and compelling scenario for the natural occurrence of this species in the state (http://www.fishesoftexas.org/specimen/FoTX%20unvouchered1). Download the official NPS app before your next visit. The initial start into McKittrick Canyon is deceptive. Required fields are marked *. While I hiked the McKittrick Canyon Trail, Tim hiked the Permian Reef Trail. Perhaps another asterisk is in order. The trail to Pratts has a gradual incline and is easy to navigate. If there was once a trout native to Texas, what does that mean for fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts today? The catalyst for the new research is from a paper by Gary Garrett and Gary Matlock. Q: Im an avid trout fisherman who was raised in Oregon, which is blessed with many cold rivers and streams that support trout. I have never been to the areas you speak of, but it would be great to restore the fish to their native waters. I would rank this shortened version of the McKittrick Canyon hike on the harder side of easy, and the easier side of moderate. This one clocks in at 14-thousand views, and will actually get a follow-up this spring to let watchers know how all the tuning on the skiff turned out! The trial stays near the mostly dry creek, winding back and forth across it several times. Upon returning from the expedition to McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountain National Park (GMNP), I have been slowly reassembling all the sights, sounds and thoughts into some sort of organized, interesting and scientifically accurate report. The deep, narrow canyon is composed of gneiss and schist, which appears black when in shadow. Hike unlike anything around. Trout numbers increased from 10,000 in 1966 to more than 260,000 in 2004. This is the easiest part of the hike to the Notch. The ultimate, News Summary and Forecasts on Fly Fishing in Texas, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). *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 this FREE U.S. National Parks Checklist! On the saltwater front, redfish and speckled trout rule, along with, of course, your larger varieties of game fish. Please note that a backpacking permit is required from the main Visitors Center in Guadalupe National Park to do this entire portion for overnight camping. The success of this project may allow similar efforts to be done all over the proposed native range in West Texas. "The Notch" is 9.8 miles round trip from the McKittrick Trailhead. Each year, the good folks at TPWD stock hundreds of fishing spots around the state with hundreds of thousands of ready-to-catch rainbow trout. 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. Once you get to the 2-mile point of the hike, keep an eye out for the detour to Pratt Cabin. The canyon hike is almost as long as the summit hike, but less altitude gain. The Notch Out-and-Back hike takes hikers through McKittrick Canyon, past a couple cabins to some pretty stunning views of the canyon. Good socks and liners are a must, as is plenty of water, and for real enjoyment, lunch and snacks. Water and snacks. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. The entrance gate on U.S.Highway 62/180 is locked each evening. McKittrick Creek, Guadalupe Mountains. Knapp (1953. Today Rio Grande Chub persists (barely) in Texas, but Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout didnt quite make it into modern times. The Next Frontier of Science is in your Backyard (with you and your smartphone), Biotechnologies for Conservation & Their Intended Consequences, History of UT Herpetology, Part 3: Eric Pianka, the "Lizard Man". McKittrick Canyon is located within the Guadalupe Mountains, separated from the national park and operated as a "day use" area with limited hours. Think TPWD might stock some stripers in there to keep them trouts from taking over ? We parked at the Visitor Center (mainly just restrooms and some outdoor displays) and took the nearby trailhead up the canyon. Hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Mountain Standard . We (two couples ages 45-60) hiked the McKittrick Canyon trail to the Grotto (approx. The restrooms have toilets and sinks (they are not vault toilets). The. Hes always availablehere. I love seeing those trout. Built by Wallace Pratt in the 1930s, on the land he owned at the time, this entirely stone cabin was later donated to the National Park. In 1991 a research paper was published in the Texas Journal of Science by two Texas Parks and Wildlife Researchers, Gary P. Garret and Gary C. Matlock. Spectacular! Its a beautifully restored hotel with all modern conveniences. Yes, we liked this one too (even more than the McKittrick Canyon Trail). If you wanted to just hike to the Grotto and Hunter Line Shack, it would only be about 7 mi. Today the only member of the family Salmonidae (trout, salmon and their relatives) that occurs in Texas is the non-native Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss. Se puede llevar casa de acampar? Hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail to the Notch and the other detours along the way is one of the most popular hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The trail becomes quite steep near the end, so ending your trek in McKittrick Canyon is never a bad idea. Wading in pristine mountain streams and casting flies hand-tied out of animal hair towards wild and elusive fish are so enticing that movies such as A River Runs Through It practically make themselves. 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. From Pratt Cabin, it is just under a 1.5 mile walk to get to the next optional (but worthwhile!) For this part of the hike, you have wide open views of McKittrick Canyon and Wilderness Ridge. This year, TPWD is planning to release some 334,000 trout at locations around the state, a number of whichBlue Hole Park, Shirley McDonald Park, Kingfisher Pondare situated right in your new backyard. The McKittrick Canyon Trail is the middle of these three trails. The little rainbow trout in McKittrick Creek at Guadalupe Mountains National Park are actually part of a wild population that has sustained itself, without supplemental stocking, for 80 years or so. Do not expect to be able to call, text, email, or access the internet while in the McKittrick area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Its a big event, and my first visit to the event. Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. Beautiful views, colors and interest along the way. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. The Guadalupe Mountains rise into the flatness of West Texas along the Texas New Mexico border. Great views and nice to learn about all the plants in the area. Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Be sure to bring lots of water, a snack (or two), wear decent shoes and use sunscreen. Whether you come for the fall show, or plan your trip for another season, the beauty of McKittrick Canyon is always breathtaking. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. The meeting between Pierce and the rich soil of the coastal plains of Texas might have been destiny. For the entire first half of the hike, I had the trail to myself, other than passing two backpackers on the trail. that is cool. Rainbow trout is an anadromous, cool- to cold-water fish species. The McKittrick Canyon is one of the top areas to visit in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout in Texas is in McKittrick Canyon, near the New Mexico border in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where the Rare Earth Elements: A Review of Production, Processing . *Interested in Visiting BOTH National Parks in Texas on the Same Road Trip? As you watch dragonflies near the water, you may be surprised to know that some are found only here and nowhere else. So close and so diverse. The path is gravel and wide. , A Texas Trout. We started off at the bottom all buttoned up in our winter coats, shivering in the cold. 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. Relevance On the way back to the Contact Station we encountered a park volunteer who shared stories of the area with us. THE JUMP OFF In its entirety, McKittrick Canyon Trail runs a total of approximately 11.1 miles from the trailhead at the McKittrick Canyon Visitor's Center (31.977596, -104.752145) to the point where it intersects Tejas Trail (31.977596, -104.752145), which is an additional 8 mile hike to park headquarters at Pine Springs Visitor's Center. Email subscriber privacy policy Judging by the smell, we also snuck up on a skunk. The one trail exception is the short Pinery Nature Trail located at the Visitor Center. If the cabin is open, you can take a look inside. Unresolved: Release in which this issue/RFE will be addressed. Hot tip: The Canyon Lake Dam tailrace, on the Guadalupe River, is a perennially popular spot. The trail itself is only moderately difficult, and the park's staff recommends allowing three to five hours to hike the canyon. more, #2 of 15 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Beyond the Grotto, the trail gets steeper and if you look closely, you can see the trail as it switchbacks up the mountain. Guide to Planning a Trip to China: The Great Wall Marathon Runcation. The Permian Reef Trail is slightly shorter than hiking to the Notch, but there is 1,000 feet more elevation gain, so overall it is a tougher hike. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? Tim saw just 2 other people on his hike, and that was right before he got back to the trailhead. I had no cellular service on this trail. See dusty greens and brightly colored prickly pear blooms against steep canyon walls and blue skies. 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. After traversing several stream crossings, the first landmark hikers will encounter off to the right of the trail is the Pratt Cabin, 2.3 miles into the McKittrick Canyon hike. The extra traction on hiking shoes will make it easier and safer to hike the rocky trail to the Notch. Located in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, McKittrick Canyon boasts foliage colors that contrast dramatically in the arid Chihuahuan desert. 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. One Yucca we photographed is easily 40 feet tall. This park is about an hour away from anything, so if you are going to visit, look at a map and plan your day. But your reward, once you get to the Notch, are awesome views of McKittrick Canyon in both directions. Follow the McKittrick Canyon Trail as it drops down into the canyon, crisscrossing a wash until it reaches a stream gurgling over limestone boulders. Is it true that the Guadalupe River is the only river in Texas that is cold enough to support trout? 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Trailside exhibits describe common plants, and reference wildland fire. . The Texanist: Why Dont Texas Houses Have Basements? It was spectacular! It's a gorgeous place. Photo by Gary Garrett Many species extended their ranges southward during the Wisconsin glacial period (75,000 - 11,000 years ago). Bucket list McKittrick in Fall- accomplished. He also told us that the gates at the Contact Station are closed/locked and if you miss the deadline thats a problem. To hike to Pratt Cabin, it is a 2.4-mile hike one-way. By the time we reached the summit we were down to t-shirts and sweating! We'll assume you accept this policy as long as you are using this website, Guide to Day Hiking From the Trailhead to the Grotto, Gear Recs for Day Hiking McKittrick Canyon, go to dual agent breathable yet warm wool base layer. 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. This is a popular trail for camping, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. McKittrick Canyon is designated as day-use only, with daily visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. That they survived so very, very geologically long up there in little old McKittrick canyon in that little creek; all the while the rest of the world spun on, the epochs marched on. My mind dwells on, how long did it take for the vast geological changes to take place that isolated those fish? Dont underestimate this part of the hikeit is challenging. The surface of the trail is gravel and easy to walk. Alas, as West Texas warmed and dried over the millennia, only relict populations of cutthroat remained. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. *Recommended Day Hike Length: 6.8 miles roundtrip. It was well worth the drive. There is a short side trail to follow off the main path to visit the Pratt Cabin. the canyon becomes spectacular with color change! Time Estimate:1 hour 5h 12m Easy 4.3 (131) McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail Guadalupe Mountains National Park Length: 1.0 mi Est. Always wanted to visit McKittrick Canyon for the Fall colors, and this trip did not disappoint. Towering ponderosas began to dot the landscape.