Tejas Trail
CampgroundsPicnic areas
Along the way Tejas Campground Pine Springs Trailhead Picnic Area
Trailheads Dog Canyon Trailhead 6,298 ft Drive there · Pine Springs Trailhead 5,838 ft Drive there
Hunter Peak 8.7 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up
6-8 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies · season While the steep Bear Canyon Trail (2,000 foot elevation gain in 1.8 miles) can be intimidating, during the fall colors season (mid-October to mid-November), the canyon is likley to be vibrant with changing color.
Start Loop hike to the Hunter Peak Summit
The hike to Hunter Peak is a challenging day hike done as a loop up the Bear Canyon Trail and down the Tejas Trail that provides solitude, stunning views, and opportunities for side trails into the Bowl area.
Distance: 8.7 miles (14.0 km) round-trip, loop
Elevation Change: 2,700 feet
Time Estimate: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Strenous
Hunter Peak is at an elevation of 8,368 feet above sea level, rising 2,700 feet above Pine Springs. Hunter Peak was named after ranchers J. C. Hunter and J. C. Hunter, Jr., who owned much of the land now included in the park.
The summit of Hunter Peak may have among the best views in the park—half the panorama is of the vast desert to the south, and the remainder is of other mountains and the sheltered pine forest of the Bowl to the north, as well as an unparalleled view across Pine Springs Canyon at Guadalupe Peak.
The hike to the summit involves climbing 2,540 feet, along two trails—either the first 3.6 miles of the Tejas Trail up the side of Pine Spring Canyon, or the Bear Canyon Trail along the next ravine to the east of Hunter Peak. These two routes are linked by the Bowl Trail, from which a short spur leads to the Hunter Peak summit, hence the trip can be done as a loop up one trail and down the other, a total hike of 8.7 miles.
Which Way Up?
While the climb is steep, rangers recommend that hikers ascend Bear Canyon, rather than hike down it. Bear Canyon gains 2,000 feet in just under two miles, while the Tejas Trail takes the twice the distance to climb the same elevation.
Pets Pets disturb wildlife and are not allowed on trails. Your pets should remain at home as opportunities for pets are very limited in the park.
Accessibility Trail surfaces are loose rock or hardened rock surfaces. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. Trail widths vary from two to six feet depending on the trail. Parking All trailhead areas have accessible parking available. Service animals Only service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed in the park and on trails.
Lost Peak Saddle 6.4 mi round trip · the Park Service's write-up
3-6 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies · Winter, Spring, Fall · season Even with the higher elevations on the northern part of the park, summer temperatures may make this hike unsafe or at the very least unpleasant. Expect high winds (in excess of 30MPH from November through March).
Start Begin at the Dog Canyon Trailhead
Hiking the Tejas Trail from Dog Canyon out to the Lost Peak Saddle and back makes an excellent day hike in the Guadalupe Mountains. Climbing up through Dog Canyon, this route culminates at the saddle below the Lost Peak Summit. No trail leads to the summit itself. This hike explores the dramatic scenery found in upper Dog Canyon.
Distance: 6.4 miles (10.3 km) round-trip, out and back
Elevation Change: 1,386 feet
Time Estimate: 3-6 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Pets Pets disturb wildlife and are not allowed on trails. Your pets should remain at home as opportunities for pets are very limited in the park.
Accessibility Trail surfaces are loose rock or hardened rock surfaces. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. Trail widths vary from two to six feet depending on the trail. Parking All trailhead areas have accessible parking available. Service animals Only service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed in the park and on trails.
Pine Springs to McKittrick Canyon the Park Service's write-up
12-16 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies
The Tejas Trail is the primary north/south through trail within the park, connecting the Pine Springs Trailhead with the Dog Canyon Trailhead at the park's northern boundary. This major artery can be used to connect to numerous other trails to make a variety of loops.
Headed north the trail climbs out of Pine Springs Canyon into the Wilderness high country. The central portion of the trail from Pine Top until the McKittrick Canyon Trail junction is forested, passing through the Bowl and numerous drainages.
The trail gradually ascends from the McKittrick Canyon junction to a high point of 7,916 feet before descending along the ridge above South McKittrick Canyon. The descent of 2,380 feet in about two miles provides spectacluar views into the canyon and the ridges that border it. The trail follows the floor of South McKittrick Canyon for the last four miles before returning to the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead.
This is an extremely rewarding trail, offering both the variety of McKittrick Canyon and the grandeur of the high ridges that surround it. The floor of McKittrick Canyon provides a panoramic experience through the unique environments of the canyon; to protect this special habitat, visitors are asked to stay on the trail and stay out of the water.
Overnight backpacking is recommended at Pine Top, Tejas, Mescalero, and/or McKittrick Ridge Wilderness Campgrounds.
Distance: Total distance from the Pine Springs Trailhead to the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead is 18.8 miles (30.4 km).
For more detailed information on trails, check our trail descriptions page.
Elevation Change: Accumulation of 3,200 feet
Time Estimate: 12-16 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: Minimum of one night, two days.
Trailheads: Pine Springs and McKittrick Canyon Trailheads. The drive between the trailheads is 20-30 minutes. No shuttle service runs between the two trailheads.
Pets Pets disturb wildlife and are not allowed on trails. Your pets should remain at home as opportunities for pets are very limited in the park.
Accessibility Trail surfaces are loose rock or hardened rock surfaces. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. Trail widths vary from two to six feet depending on the trail. Parking All trailhead areas have accessible parking available. Service animals Only service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed in the park and on trails.
Tejas Thru Hike 11.8 mi one way · the Park Service's write-up
7-9 Hours · no dogs · entrance fee applies
The Tejas Trail is the primary north/south through trail within the park, connecting the Pine Springs Trailhead with the Dog Canyon Trailhead at the park's northern boundary. This major artery can be used to connect to numerous other trails to make a variety of loops.
Headed north the trail climbs out of Pine Springs Canyon into the Wilderness high country. The central portion of the trail from Pine Top until the McKittrick Canyon Trail junction is forested, passing through the Bowl and numerous drainages. The route passes the saddle at Lost Peak. No trail leads to the summit itself. Descending from the area of Lost Peak the trail passes through the grassy areas that define the northern portion of the park.
Overnight backpacking is recommended at Pine Top, Tejas, and/or Mescalero Wilderness Campgrounds.
Distance: 11.8 miles (19.0 km) one way
For more detailed information on trails, check our trail descriptions page.
Elevation Change: Accumulation of 3,000 feet
Time Estimate: 7-9 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Duration: Minimum of one night, two days.
Trailhead: Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Trailheads. The drive between the trailheads is two hours. No shuttle service runs between the two trailheads.
Pets Pets disturb wildlife and are not allowed on trails. Your pets should remain at home as opportunities for pets are very limited in the park.
Accessibility Trail surfaces are loose rock or hardened rock surfaces. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. Trail widths vary from two to six feet depending on the trail. Parking All trailhead areas have accessible parking available. Service animals Only service animals that have been individually trained to perform specific tasks for the benefit of persons with disabilities are allowed in the park and on trails.