Guadalupe National Park - McKittrick Canyon - October 3, 2000 - Member Trip Report
| Hike Name: | Guadalupe National Park - McKittrick Canyon |
|---|---|
| Country: | United States |
| State: | Texas |
| Trip Rating: |  |
| Trip Date: | October 3, 2000 |
| Duration: | 2 days, 8 hours |
| Trail Conditions: | Good |
| Trail Traffic: | Light |
| Trip Weather: | Partly Sunny |
| Trip Winds: | Light |
| Trip Precipitation: | None |
| Trip Temperature: | High: 71-80, Low: 31-40 degrees Fahrenheit |
| Trip Report: | Day 1: This is a solo trip for me, so I'm packing light and moving fast. Its about a four hour drive from my house, and I have to be back at work in two days, so I leave right at 5:00 and head out. I arrive at the camping area jsut after 9:00, have a quick dinner and sack out. Day 2: Up at 6:00 and on the trail by 7:00. I'm trying to make some distance before it gets warm, which is does here even for this late fall hike. The trip in is steep and tiring. I stop for lunch just over the top and headed down. The canyon is beautiful from the rim, and the Fall colors are really showing. I can't camp in McKittrick Canyon at night, so I stash my pack and make a blitz day hike into the canyon itself. The stream is amazing. I have never seen a swimming pool any clearer than the creek water, and you can look right in and see the fish. I went further down the trail and saw the old rock cabin, which is now used by the Park Service. By this time its getting later, and I head back toward my pack. I arrive in plenty of time for a leisurely camp set up, and I have coffee and Bailey's while I look around with my telephoto lens at the surrounding countryside. Sleep comes easy, and I'm out by 9:15. Day 3: Have to get back this afternoon, so I head down the trail system to get a quick look at the Butterfield Stage stop at the base of the mountains. Mostly fallen down, but still very cool to see. After an hour or so, I head back around to the parking area and my car. A great trip, and the only thing that could have improved it would be the right to try catching some of those trout!!! |
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