As the park time had only recently change, we did happen on 5 unsuspecting deer in the creek bottom. The studies are extensive, including analysis of fish surveys, water temperature and stream flow, and genetic studies. The northern entrance, Dog Canyon, is near the New Mexico and Texas borders. McKittrick Canyon 119 Reviews #2 of 15 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park Nature & Parks, Canyons Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX Save Stephen S Richardson, Texas 28 27 Only Hiked to Pratt Lodge Review of McKittrick Canyon Reviewed June 14, 2016 And it doesnt hurt that being one of the most underrated and least visited National Parks in the country, you are likely to have a lot of seclusion hiking here, unless, of course, you visit during the peak of autumn! It was well worth the drive. Hike the McKittrick Trail to Pratt Cabin, a distance of 4.8 miles, crossing the stream twice. In the spring, the canyon bursts into life with an array of blooms. Sign me up for the newsletter! Tried to go to Devils Hall near the main visitor center, but was turned away because lot was full, and so was campground (we got there on Wed around 10:30am). I wont make any recommendations on this page that I havent tested or personally used! Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. We saw many families with children returning as we were striking out. 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. . Children under 13 years of age must have a parent/guardian's consent before providing We loaded up and headed north again, for the McKittrick Canyon trailhead. Asterisk number one: There is one place in Texas where trout do thrive, but it is a creek, not a river. It is worth noting that while not on the main trail, the short spur trail that leads to the Grotto also leads just past the Grotto formation to a historic cabin, the Hunter Line Cabin, that will push your total roundtrip just slightly closer to an even 7 miles roundtrip. 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. Expect to see resident mule deer enjoying the peaceful serenity of the canyon. To date, theyve hauled off more than 36,000 of these derelict traps. The hike is lot more difficult beyond the Grotto. Difficulty: A steady, sometimes steep climb to Lost Peak, then tracking the canyon rim Trail conditions: Considered by some to be the most beautiful fish in the world, it embodies everything that makes fly fishing great. The surrounding mountains are so beautiful, great vistas. As the trail switchbacks up the McKittrick Ridge, it can be quite steep at times, with large boulders to climb up and in some cases, long series of steep, somewhat uneven steps. It is marked with a small metal sign and the trail to Pratt Cabin leads off to the right. All this brain power was focused on the potential of supplanting a non-native population of rainbow trout with nearby Rio Grande cutthroat trout. Past the Pratt Cabin, the flora and fauna of McKittrick Canyon really begins to shine, and quickly becomes the star of this hike! The McKittrick Canyon trailhead is a 10-mile drive north from the park's Pine Springs headquarters. The current state record, FYI, pulled from the Nueces River in 2010, stands at 8.92 pounds and 26.5 inches in length. The Texanist: Why Dont Texas Houses Have Basements? detour, the Grotto. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. This part of the trail looks a lot different than the first section of the hike. 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. Really awesome hike that is very popular in the National Park. If you are wondering more about photography, be sure to visit my photography website - www.shannondrawe.com. Further supporting this theory is the existence of a wild, self-sustaining population of Rainbow Trout in McKittrick Creek, in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. 2 . At a glance. From US Highway 62/180, turn onto McKittrick Road and drive to the very end. that is cool. I recommend doing these first and if you still have time, then hike the McKittrick Canyon Trail. Baughman (1950. One Yucca we photographed is easily 40 feet tall. Their pickiness often borders on the non-sensical, and the pursuit of them takes anglers to locations so remote, they could double as spiritual getaways. 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). *Planning to tag on another nearby National Park? Abundant water was a part of this and one of the things that made this hike so interesting. 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. The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. Past the Grotto Spur Trail, the character of the trail changes. RT) midweek in early November. The surface of the trail is gravel and easy to walk. 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. more, #2 of 15 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. To get started on your day hike in McKittrick Canyon, access the trailhead just behind the McKittrick Canyon Visitors Center. 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. Trail that combines desert scrub with mountain vistas, trout streams and vintage backcountry cabins . The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The advantage of the McKittrick Canyon Trail is that its great for all ages and ability levels. My husband went as far as Pratt cabin, sat in a rocking chair there, and promptly fell asleep. The deep, narrow canyon is composed of gneiss and schist, which appears black when in shadow. See what else this Mountain Range is Home to at neighboring Carlsbad Caverns National Park! There are no restrooms or running water here. 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. *Recommended Day Hike Length: 6.8 miles roundtrip. Please exit McKittrick Canyon before the posted closing time. McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout, but fishing is not allowed there. Distance: 4.75 miles out-and-back Difficulty: Easy Total Ascent: 525 feet Starting Elevation: 5,000 feet Elevation at Pratt Cabin: 5,220 feet Time: 1.5 to 3 hours, Distance: 7.25 miles out-and-back Difficulty: Easy to moderate Total Ascent: 820 feet Starting Elevation: 5,000 feet Elevation at the Grotto: 5,350 feet Time: 2 to 4 hours, Distance: 9.8 miles Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous Total Ascent: 1,675 feet Starting Elevation: 5,000 feet Highest Elevation (the Notch): 6,100 feet Time: 4 to 6 hours, McKittrick Canyon Trail elevation profile. In the summer of 1854, a destitute stowaway on a Texas-bound schooner was discovered and forced to work for his passage. It will take most people between 6 to 8 hours to do this hike. The group convened at Van Horn, Texas, the closest town to our destination on the Texas side of the GMNP. This is the easiest part of the hike to the Notch. Mick, that is outstanding. 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. 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. After handling freight to pay for his travel, nineteen-year-old Abel Head Pierce, a native of Little Compton, Rhode Island, landed at the Texas port of Indianola five months after leaving home. Legends of lost Spanish gold mines drew many unsuccessful prospectors before the turn of the century. It slowly climbs uphill, but the ascent is so gradual that you may not even notice that you are walking uphill. E-Newsletter Archive. The trail provides incredible diversity in plant life due to the presence of a small stream. VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? 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. The Grotto is a small cave with formations that resemble stalactites and stalagmites, with a little bit of imagination. 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. 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. hundreds of fishing spots around the state, How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, More Colorful Texas Sayings Than You Can Shake a Stick At, The Bronc-busting, Cow-punching, Death-defying Legend of Boots ONeal, At Texas Swingers Clubs, the Lifestyle Is Booming. Just the sound of such a thing fills many a fly fishing Texan with pride. Whether you come for the fall show, or plan your trip for another season, the beauty of McKittrick Canyon is always breathtaking. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. We (two couples ages 45-60) hiked the McKittrick Canyon trail to the Grotto (approx. Bigtooth . It included; National Park Services Fred Armstrong & Jeremy Markuson, Texas Parks and Wildlifes Mukhtar Farooqui, Gary Garrett, Mandy Scott, Charles Cruz & John Ingle, Trout Unlimiteds Chris Wood, Jack Williams, Bryan Moore, Mick McCorcle & Jeff Schmitt, US Fish and Wildlifes Jim Brooks and retired New Mexico Fish and Games David Propst. At the top of the trail you can look down at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon and read about Permian Reef geology. A final feasibility study is expected to be finished sometime in 2018. We only had enough time to do one hike in the McKittrick area of the park, so Tim and I split up. How far is is from McKittrick Canyon to the next ecosphere that can support cold water fish such as the cutthroat? Therefore, Texas fly fisherman are relegated to traveling out of the great state of Texas if they wish to pursue non-stocked trout populations. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af1efca02f7e6220964b2b59e95acf94" );document.getElementById("eab110af47").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *. Rogers Virginia: the Highest Point in Virginia, The Best Outdoor Things to Do in Fort Davis Texas, 2 Ways to Explore Santa Elena Canyon: By Land and By Water, The Absolute Best Hikes in Texas You Cant Afford to Miss. When I did this, I started relatively early in the morning (about 8 am) and was the first person to the Notch. McKittrick Canyon, below the Grotto spur trail, is also far more accessible to a wide range of hikers than Guadalupe Peak given that the trail is relatively flat. 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. 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. I managed to finagle a spot as the official photographer, and it probably helped that I am a member of TU and GRTU. C, @5x5brewing in Mission Texas after reupping my TPW, A Look at McKittrick Canyons Naturalized Rainbow Trout, A Look at Mckittricks Naturalized Rainbow Trout 2. Most of the elevation on the McKittrick Canyon Trail comes immediately after the Grotto and adjacent Hunter Line Cabin spur trail. Just do it! We hiked the McKittrick Canyon Trail all the way to the Notch (10 mi. Now, you are deeper in the canyon and there are a lot more trees and shade here. It's a gorgeous place. The views all along the trail were beautiful, not to be missed. Gary Garrett is a Research Associate in the Ichthyology Collection, 102 E 24th StreetFNT 1.206CAustin, TX 78712, http://www.fishesoftexas.org/specimen/FoTX%20unvouchered1. By starting early, you can get one of the parking spaces in the trailhead parking lot.