mckittrick canyon trout mckittrick canyon trout

A new wonder world of water outside the door. Find Out How You Can Explore the Best of Both Worlds at Once! 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. 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. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? The McKittrick Canyon is one of the top areas to visit in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As a solo traveler I felt safe. From there it is only 4.8 miles round trip to Pratt Lodge and 6.8 miles round trip to the Grotto. *Recommended Day Hike Length: 6.8 miles roundtrip. The Lower Laguna Madre awaits. 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! Abundant water was a part of this and one of the things that made this hike so interesting. . I walked the extra half hour out to the Grotto. Step into the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and you are stepping into Texas mountain time zone. McKittrick Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Address, McKittrick Canyon Reviews: 4.5/5. 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. This is the easiest part of the hike to the Notch. If there was once a trout native to Texas, what does that mean for fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts today? 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. Off to the right, Wilderness Ridge looms over the canyon. Another part that was cool, both figuratively and temperature wise, was hiking in the shadows of the canyon. There will be a few more places where you cross the wash. It is the wider of the three trails and covered with bright white gravel. Another surgeon who traveled in western Texas and New Mexico during the Civil War period wrote in Forest and Stream (also in 1878) about catching "S. fontinalis" in Texas in the Devils River at Fort Hudson, as well as in Limpia Creek. It takes about 2 to 3 minutes to get to the Grotto. Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Color and intensity can change quickly, so make plans now to visit the national park soon. Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. In fact, hiking on towards the McKittrick Ridge campground is the steepest portion of not only the entire trail, but the steepest incline in the entire park! I managed to finagle a spot as the official photographer, and it probably helped that I am a member of TU and GRTU. Somehow, though manmade, this cabin blends seamlessly into its environment, and is breathtaking in its humbleness. . 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. 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! This part of the trail looks a lot different than the first section of the hike. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our. In the spring, the canyon bursts into life with an array of blooms. account_circle Date Released If you are wondering more about photography, be sure to visit my photography website - www.shannondrawe.com. The temperatures changed a lot during the hike, so I was glad that I had layered clothing and had taken water and a snack. The deep canyon offers breathtaking views and provides visitors with many hiking opportunities suitable for every level. I was flying heavy with about 35 pounds of camera gear in my Lowe Pro backpack, heaviest load of everyone, and immediately aware that this wasnt going to be a walk in the park. Just beyond the Grotto is a cluster of picnic tables. Its a beautifully restored hotel with all modern conveniences. There is a touch of moderate hiking involved in reaching the Grotto, but that is mostly due to short portions of gravely terrain, some stream crossings, and brief moderate inclines. But it is completely worth it to see this remnant of frontier history still existing in the shadows of Guadalupes peaks! any personal information to the agency. Do not expect to be able to call, text, email, or access the internet while in the McKittrick area of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. So why is Texas a nearly trout-free space? One Yucca we photographed is easily 40 feet tall. Checked out the historic cabin, then walked on to the Grotto where there were picnic tables to eat on. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. For one, McKittrick Creek would have been fair game for fishing, as Guadalupe Mountains National Park wasnt established until 1972 (although the Texanist has no idea if there were trout present before those early stockings). Please exit McKittrick Canyon before the posted closing time. The landscape isnt the only showstopper here in McKittrick Canyon. " cade michael OpenMapTiles OSM 11.0 Miles Point to Point And since one cant fish McKittrick Creek, it cant be considered an actual fishery. For the entire first half of the hike, I had the trail to myself, other than passing two backpackers on the trail. 2023 Yonderlust Ramblings - WordPress Theme by Kadence WP, Please enable JavaScript in your browser to submit the form, For those that love hiking in rugged secluded-ness, Texass OTHER National Park should definitely be on your radar! This allowed us to make good time just not enough to get to Pratt Cabin. An Oregon transplant is hoping he can find a few places to cast a line in his adopted state. The final 0.25 miles up to the Notch is the most difficult. 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. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. On the return hike, I passed literally hundreds of other hikers on the trail (we visited Guadalupe Mountains during spring break in March, one of the busiest weeks to be in the park). 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. Manage My Subscriptions, archive [["NAME","B01001_001E","state","school district (elementary)"], ["Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary District, Arizona","4041","04","00004"], ["Salome Consolidated . 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. The Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas Location of the Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas #1: Santa Elena Canyon #2: McKittrick Canyon #3: Palo Duro Canyon #4: Caprock Canyon #5: Seminole Canyon Gear Recommendations for the Best Texas Canyons The Top 5 Best Canyons in Texas The. The Headquarters Visitor Center at Pine Springs is located off Highway 62/180 at 400 Pine Canyon Drive, Salt Flat, Texas 79847 just 55 miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico, 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas, and 65 miles north of Van Horn. Towering ponderosas began to dot the landscape. In fact, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is part of the same mountain chain that houses the other worldly depths of Carlsbad Caverns! Bucket list McKittrick in Fall- accomplished. One of those unique things was water. listed S. spilurus as having a range that included Texas. 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. 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. 1973 516 2000 2000 33.603859999999997-111.5317. For aquatic organisms in particular, what is now the Chihuahuan Desert was a route for dispersal during this time. The Grotto is a small cave with formations that resemble stalactites and stalagmites, with a little bit of imagination. Its nice, but there are a bunch of hikes that we liked a lot more. This is the steepest, narrowest, and rockiest part of the trail. Wow! I also hiked the Devils Hall, but do not think I could have done both in one day, but I am not an experienced hiker. *Planning to tag on another nearby National Park? Catalogued, preserved specimens of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout from locations in Texas would have provided conclusive evidence, but it appears there are none. Not only is it visually appealing, but it provides a glimpse of early Texas life in this wild and rugged region. You guys have to make the hike to the Notch in early November when the leafs change color! Scenic canyon with unique animal and plant life. Knapp (1953. This is a popular trail for camping, hiking, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Im not saying Texas is big, but . Random notes on Texas fishes. He backpacked in and got some beautiful photos of the trout in McKittrick Creek. South Padre Island and the Lower Laguna Madre fly fishing report. Trailside exhibits describe common plants, and reference wildland fire. Have a question for the Texanist? Recently Updated Fairly easy 4.8mi RT hike (but it is mostly walking on gravel and river rocks, vs packed trail). Sure, any fish can be pursued through fishing with flies, but the heart and soul of the sport will always lie in the pursuit of the game fish it was invented for: trout. Unlike most of our experience in the Chihuahuan desert, McKittrick had wide diversity of plants and animals. If the cabin is open, you can take a look inside. GET SNEAK PEAKS | BEHIND THE SCENES | EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! In 1894, Evermann and Kendall (The fishes of Texas and the Rio Grande basin, considered chiefly with reference to their geographic distribution. I wish trout could handle our climate. Because of the availability of water, the desert plants are some of the healthiest we have encountered outside a botanical garden. 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. The steep, towering walls of McKittrick Canyon protect a rich riparian oasis in the midst of the Chihuahuan Desert . 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). Sign me up for the newsletter! 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. We (two couples ages 45-60) hiked the McKittrick Canyon trail to the Grotto (approx. "The Notch" is 9.8 miles round trip from the McKittrick Trailhead. You also have the option to continue on to the Hunter Line Shack and it takes about 4 to 5 minutes to walk here from the Grotto. Bulletin of the U.S. The entrance gate on U.S.Highway 62/180 is locked each evening. VISIT THE US NATIONAL PARKS: Looking for your next big adventure? See what else this Mountain Range is Home to at neighboring Carlsbad Caverns National Park! The trail becomes quite steep near the end, so ending your trek in McKittrick Canyon is never a bad idea. To get to the trailhead, walk through the building to the other side. 1997 1036 5515 6000 35.291260000000001-106.4879. It is elusive, wild, and free. 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 surrounding mountains are so beautiful, great vistas. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. McKittrick Canyon Trailhead Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas. Bryce Canyon Utah_x000D_ 3734N 11211W / 37.57N 112.18W February 25, 1928 35,835.08 acres . McKittrick Canyon Trail Hiking Trail, Pine Springs, Texas McKittrick Canyon Trail Intermediate/Difficult 4.5 (12) Areas TX West Texas Guadalupe Mountains National Park Plan with onX Backcountry " A long and semi-technical canyon ascent that has some of the best views in west Texas! The initial start into McKittrick Canyon is deceptive. So what does this mean? If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. He also told us that the gates at the Contact Station are closed/locked and if you miss the deadline thats a problem. Up the canyon . In 1878, the wildlife conservation and sporting magazine, Forest and Stream, reported that a surgeon stationed at Fort Davis, Texas during the Civil War took "Salmo fontinalis" from nearby Limpia Creek. Expect to see resident mule deer enjoying the peaceful serenity of the canyon. The McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail is a short trail with dramatic views. Time Estimate:1 hour Download the official NPS app before your next visit. 12The only native trout that we're aware of are maybe some Rio Grande cutthroat trout that were in the McKittrick Canyon area of the Guadalupe Mountains. See what else this Mountain Range is Home to at, *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, Best Small Towns in Texas: Road Tripping Through West Texas, The Only Hiking Checklist You Will Ever Need: The 10 Essentials Plus, Complete Guide to the Humphreys Peak Hike: Highest Point in Arizona, The Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend: Hiking to the Top of a National Park. Many species extended their ranges southward during the Wisconsin glacial period (75,000 - 11,000 years ago). But your reward, once you get to the Notch, are awesome views of McKittrick Canyon in both directions. Other than that, there are no native trout we know of in Texas. 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 that a backpacking permit is required from the main Visitors Center in Guadalupe National Park to do this entire portion for overnight camping. Check out the 100 mile backpacking trek that connects the Caverns with Guadalupe Mountains National Park! All this brain power was focused on the potential of supplanting a non-native population of rainbow trout with nearby Rio Grande cutthroat trout. There were beautiful views all along the way, and pretty places to stop and rest. Fish Commission, Article 3:57-126) listed "Salmo mykiss spilurus" as in Texas at "Limpia, Devil River, San Felipe Springs, and headwaters of the Canadian River, Texas, and Rio Bonito, New Mexico.". Considered by some to be the most beautiful fish in the world, it embodies everything that makes fly fishing great. We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. The Rio Bonito is a tributary of the Pecos River and is known to have contained Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout at that time (Behnke, R.J. 1979. 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. How far is is from McKittrick Canyon to the next ecosphere that can support cold water fish such as the cutthroat? Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. McKittrick Canyon is Guadalupe Peak's equal opposite in elevation gain (200 ft. v 3,000 ft.) and mileage (4.8 miles round trip v 8.4 miles) but it should not be missed. It is rocky in some places. I have never been to the areas you speak of, but it would be great to restore the fish to their native waters. McKittrick Canyon is a definite must see. TEXAS BEAUTY Of the three, McKittrick Canyon is the least strenuous and in the fall it's a spectacle of rare beauty, boasting foliage ablaze with colors that can make you think you're hiking in New England. 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. Further supporting this theory is the existence of a wild, self-sustaining population of Rainbow Trout in McKittrick Creek, in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. For those that love hiking in rugged secluded-ness, Texass OTHER National Park should definitely be on your radar! The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. As a jumping off point, Van Horn is approximately 55 miles from the entrance to the McKittrick Canyon portion of GMNP. The Visitor Center is open daily except Christmas Day. Hike McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail in the fall to see the enhanced fall colors. Hes always availablehere. Texas Journal of Science 2:117-138.) Great views and nice to learn about all the plants in the area. Between []. McKittrick Canyon is located about seven miles from the Pine Springs Visitor Center the headquarters for Guadalupe Mountains National Park. On the saltwater front, redfish and speckled trout rule, along with, of course, your larger varieties of game fish. From the trail junction, it only takes about 2 minutes to walk to Pratt Cabin. Think TPWD might stock some stripers in there to keep them trouts from taking over ? As I met the participants, including personnel from TPWDs San Angelo, Texas, fisheries office, I began to be aware that none of us had been to McKittrick Canyon with the exception of Dr. Gary Garrett. So we headed to next choice which was McKittrick Canyon. The Texanist: Why Dont Texas Houses Have Basements? Green trout on Ray Roberts! The Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU), a conservation organization dedicated to protecting trout populations across the country, is spearheading an effort to look into reintroducing the fish into its native Texas waters, starting with McKittrick Creek, home to the aforementioned viable population of introduced Rainbow Trout. At this point in the trail the incline becomes much steeper increasing more than 1,000 feet in about a mile and also becomes much rockier. So glad that we drove out to take a peek. Hike unlike anything around. As long as you are not in a large group, the restaurant is very good as well. We continued to The Grotto, another 1.0 mile where there are picnic tables. A highlight of the park and a must-see for nature lovers is McKittrick Canyon. For this part of the hike, you have wide open views of McKittrick Canyon and Wilderness Ridge. Two asterisks, actually. To hike to Pratt Cabin, it is a 2.4-mile hike one-way. The gate to the canyon closes daily at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. To date, theyve hauled off more than 36,000 of these derelict traps. The Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin are adjacent to each other on the same spur trail, which will be described further in more detail. CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK: Carlsbad Caverns sits right beside Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It was open when we visited in mid-October. Dont underestimate this part of the hikeit is challenging. For a day hike, you should prepare with the following: Day hiking in McKittrick Canyon was long on my bucket list of hikes, after having witnessed the surprising depth and diversity of other portions of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, including its state high point hike at Guadalupe Peak! Enter the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, a rare species found in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. A: Welcome to Texas, Mr. Cleland. Trail Junction: Pratt Cabin is to the right and the McKittrick Canyon Trail continues to the left. Saw many families with young children enjoying the shallow stream crossings. It is marked with a small metal sign and the trail to Pratt Cabin leads off to the right. McKittrick Canyon and its entrance are about seven miles northeast of the primary Visitor Center, also off US-62/180. Required fields are marked *. 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. McKittrick Canyon is a day-use area; the highway gate is currently locked at 6 p.m. and will close at 4:30 p.m. when the clocks return to Mountain Standard Time. Imagine, however, if it turned out that none of that was true. . For the first 2 hours, you are in the canyon, a valley, very flat. It will take most people between 6 to 8 hours to do this hike. It's quite an interesting mental exercise to consider the geological and biological factors in play. Texas Farm and Ranch Land Conservation Program. If this is part of a bigger road trip to Texas and New Mexico, here is more information to help you plan your trip. 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. There are picnic tables here. Children under 13 years of age must have a parent/guardian's consent before providing Beyond the Grotto, the trail gets steeper and if you look closely, you can see the trail as it switchbacks up the mountain. As you will come to learn about six months from now, it gets hellishly hot here in the summertime, and while the states many rivers and creeks can maintain refreshingly cool temperatures through the warmer monthsif, that is, they dont completely dry up and blow awaythey do not, McKittrick Creek notwithstanding, stay chilly enough to support trout, who prefer a sub-70-degree water temperature. How to Hike the Permian Reef Trail | Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 16 Great Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, How to Hike to Guadalupe Peak, the "Top of Texas", How to Hike the Devil's Hall Trail | Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Specifically, McKittrick Creek, which runs through the Guadalupe Mountains (no relation to the Guadalupe River), near the Texas-New Mexico border. 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. The Chihuahuan desert contrasts with steep canyon walls, century plants, and prickly pear cacti. The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Good hiking boots are a must. 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. Jetties sheepshead on fly. 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. Whether you come for the fall show, or plan your trip for another season, the beauty of McKittrick Canyon is always breathtaking. 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. Tripadvisor checks reviews for fraud. RT) midweek in early November. 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. It took us about an hour each way to hike the 2.4 miles to Pratt Cabin, and we enjoyed the fairly small elevation change and chance to enjoy the variety of trees and colors. We parked at the Visitor Center (mainly just restrooms and some outdoor displays) and took the nearby trailhead up the canyon. We almost missed this hike. It is possible to experience all of McKittrick Canyon in multiple, overnight days, but this itinerary is specifically designed for those looking to make the most out of a day hike on the McKittrick Canyon Trail. 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. Enter the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, a rare species found in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. McKittrick Canyon Trail Guadalupe Mountains National Park Length: 21.1 mi Est. McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout, but fishing is not allowed there. Bring water. Rainbow trout is an anadromous, cool- to cold-water fish species. Examining historical and anecdotal evidence, and even some evolutionary biology, they claimed the evidence indicate[s] Texas may have had one indigenous salmonid, the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout.. Which is why, says Steve Magnelia, Parks and Wildlife stocks lakes and neighborhood ponds with rainbow trout every winter. THE JOURNEY However, if you plan to hike to the Notch, I recommend wearing hiking shoes. This is the distance to the Grotto, a reasonable turn around spot for those looking for a doable day hike that can be achieved in under 8 hours. McKittrick Canyon in The Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Where to Try and Catch Texass Most Underappreciated Fish, Texass Big Ranches Are Still Selling for Big Bucks. 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 trail gets noticeably steeper and much rockier. Once you get to the 2-mile point of the hike, keep an eye out for the detour to Pratt Cabin. McKittrick Canyon is a spectacular canyon jewel hidden and protected from the outside world between a narrow outer wall (Frijole Ridge) and the main part of the Guadalupe Mountain Range of West Texas. He also reported taking this species from the "Rio Benito" at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, and from other mountain streams in New Mexico. Today Rio Grande Chub persists (barely) in Texas, but Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout didnt quite make it into modern times. Trail very pretty and peaceful. There are 8 primitive campsites at the McKittrick Ridge Campground. There is also a plethora of anecdotal evidence; for years there have been findings of photographs and accounts from the nineteenth and early 20th centuries of people finding and fishing for trout in the streams of West Texas, specifically in tributary streams of the Pecos and Rio Grande Rivers. The trail feels more sheltered and its a little easier to walk, now that you arent hiking on loose gravel. 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. Based on the recommendation from another hiker we started toward the Notch. The Texanist: Did the Texas Capitols Pink Granite Come From Maine? Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park is an incredible place to visit for anyone interested in outdoor activities or simply admiring the park's breathtaking scenery. The group convened at Van Horn, Texas, the closest town to our destination on the Texas side of the GMNP. It was well worth the drive. Here, plants and animals tolerate true desert conditions. Read that paper for background. Hiking the McKittrick canyon trail to the 90 years old Pratt cabin. 5h 12m Easy 4.3 (131) McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail Guadalupe Mountains National Park Length: 1.0 mi Est. We paid our entrance fee at the visitor center and then drove to the canyon. From US Highway 62/180, turn onto McKittrick Road and drive to the very end. There are several other trails that branch off from the main McKittrick Canyon Trail, like the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail, so be sure to follow signs to stay on the main path. McKittrick Canyon Trail - A great way to begin a hike into the Guadalupe Mountains, this trail can be taken to gain access to the Pratt Lodge, the Grotto, or the Hunter Cabin, as well as connecting to the Tejas Trail and the Bowl. We saw many families with children returning as we were striking out. The one trail exception is the short Pinery Nature Trail located at the Visitor Center.