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You will also get ahead of the crowds and hike in the cooler part of the day. 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. Asterisk number two: McKittrick Creek is situated inside the borders of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where fishing is prohibited. It was well worth the drive. 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. McKittrick Canyon - Explore Texas The Notch Out-and-Back Hiking Trail, Pine Springs, Texas We only had enough time to do one hike in the McKittrick area of the park, so Tim and I split up. Park entry fee required for all adult visitors. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. We hiked the McKittrick Canyon Trail all the way to the Notch (10 mi. Salt Flat Whether you stop at the cabin or at the grotto, it's all beautiful. It was open when we visited in mid-October. . Different Types of Hiking: Which Type Are You? McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail - National Park Service Scenic canyon with unique animal and plant life. From Pratt Cabin, it is just under a 1.5 mile walk to get to the next optional (but worthwhile!) View of McKittrick Canyon from the trail. 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. As you watch dragonflies near the water, you may be surprised to know that some are found only here and nowhere else. Read all of our articles about the United States in our United States Travel Guide. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Region, Lakewood, Colorado); therefore, his trout identification skills were likely sufficient to recognize the species in question. The elevation gain and steepness of the trail pick up considerably past the Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin, so those continuing on should be aptly prepared, or planning to camp overnight at the backcountry McKittrick Ridge Campground. It is elusive, wild, and free. Remember that as Daylight Saving has ended, the gate to McKittrick Canyon is now open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST. Estimated Time to Hike to the Grotto/Hunter Line Cabin Roundtrip: 4 hours. I like trout fishing! We had too much fun taking pictures of El Capitan rest stop so we did not have the full two hours to make Pratt Cabin, but we did have an amazing walk through a unique 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. To date, theyve hauled off more than 36,000 of these derelict traps. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Loved it, cant wait to return next fall. There will be a few more places where you cross the wash. 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. 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). At the top of the trail you can look down at the mouth of McKittrick Canyon and read about Permian Reef geology. How to Day Hike The McKittrick Canyon Trail in the Guadalupe Mountains Color and intensity can change quickly, so make plans now to visit the national park soon. 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. On the way back to the Contact Station we encountered a park volunteer who shared stories of the area with us. McKittrick Canyon is a scenic canyon within the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and Eddy County, New Mexico. Rip & Go: McKittrick Canyon - Backpacker 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). A Look at Mckittrick's Naturalized Rainbow Trout - 2 Skiff Fly Line Management - THREE STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM! If there was once a trout native to Texas, what does that mean for fishermen and wildlife enthusiasts today? Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. The path is gravel and wide. H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. 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. The trail provides incredible diversity in plant life due to the presence of a small stream. However, historical records indicate Texas probably had its own native trout, the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis (Garrett & Matlock 1991 Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout in Texas). This point in the McKittrick Canyon hike is considered an ideal turn around point for the average day hiker. 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. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Start the hike early, ideally by 8 am (but even better is early). A final feasibility study is expected to be finished sometime in 2018. McKittrick Canyon in The Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Please note Guadalupe Mountains is administer out of Carlsbad so on Mountain time and Daylight Savings keeps the park open until 6:00. It's cable reimagined No DVR. I felt like this hike allowed a good overview of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. An editor's note following the article stated that the presence of trout in Texas had been firmly established by "ample testimony." 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. Monograph of the native trouts of the genus Salmo of western North America. An Oregon transplant is hoping he can find a few places to cast a line in his adopted state. 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. Great views and nice to learn about all the plants in the area. 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). 5h 12m Easy 4.3 (131) McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail Guadalupe Mountains National Park Length: 1.0 mi Est. 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. Fly fishing is a much-romanticized pastime beloved by outdoorsmen the world over. 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. As for the hike itself, it was very flat and easy. If you are lucky enough, View Post Complete Guide to the Humphreys Peak Hike: Highest Point in ArizonaContinue, There is a common misconception floating around out there that the state of Texas is all just flat and, View Post The Lost Mine Trail at Big Bend: Hiking to the Top of a National ParkContinue, What makes hiking so enjoyable, is that no matter the person, there are all different types of hiking, so, View Post Different Types of Hiking: Which Type Are You?Continue, I will always remember the day my husband and I bought our tour packages to run the Great Wall, View Post Guide to Planning a Trip to China: The Great Wall Marathon RuncationContinue, Your email address will not be published. If you go there, consider staying at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn. Sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses. WHITE is the 2022 default color, but you can order color mats with a few extra days of patience. Ive very recently moved to your great state, specifically Georgetown. Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. Hiking shoes. Dog Friendly: Nope! We met the National Park Services Fred Armstrong and Jeremy Markuson at the southern headquarters and were given their orientation on the history of the rainbow trout in the canyon and scientists exchanged their ideas on information they have and would like to have on the canyon creek. 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 WIDE PRICE RANGE: The original Rounder at $129. The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. Wild Trout in Texas - Texas Fishing Forum From there it is only 4.8 miles round trip to Pratt Lodge and 6.8 miles round trip to the Grotto. detour, the Grotto. By continuing to browse this website you are agreeing to our use of cookies. There are 8 primitive campsites at the McKittrick Ridge Campground. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. 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? 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!