Texas: Guadalupe Peak

8,751 ft (2,667 m)

There’s something unexpected about climbing in Texas. In a state better known for vast plains and desert heat, Guadalupe Peak rises abruptly—high, wild, and windswept—from the far western edge near the New Mexico border. This limestone summit marks the highest point in Texas, perched above the salt flats and shadowed by the dramatic cliff face of El Capitan.

The trail to the top begins at Pine Springs in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, following a well-built path that gains over 3,000 feet in just over 4 miles. It winds through desert scrub and piñon-juniper forest, climbs sunbaked switchbacks, and steadily ascends to a summit crowned with a stainless steel pyramid—an aviation-era tribute to westward expansion and the pioneering spirit.

Despite the clear trail, Guadalupe is no casual stroll. Summer temperatures can be punishing, winds often howl across the ridges, and there’s no water along the way. But those who plan wisely are rewarded with far-reaching views over the Chihuahuan Desert and a deep sense of solitude that feels rare in a national park.

It’s not the tallest, flashiest, or hardest climb on the highpoint list—but it’s pure Texas: bold, remote, and unmistakably proud.

More to come…