Guadalupe Peak Explained

Guadalupe Peak, also known as Signal Peak,^[3] is the highest natural point in Texas,^[4] with an elevation of 8751feet above sea level.^[1] It is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and is part of the Guadalupe Mountains range in southeastern New Mexico and West Texas. The mountain is about 90miles east of El Paso and about 50miles southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico. The peak rises more than 3000feet above the arid floor of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Trail and summit

The peak can be climbed at any time of the year by a maintained stony trail (4.25disp=or1disp=or each way) with a 3000feet elevation gain.^[5] The trail is part of the network of hiking trails in the surrounding national park.

A stainless steel pyramid marks the summit. It was erected by American Airlines in 1958 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail, a stagecoach route that passed south of the mountain. One side of the pyramid has the American Airlines logo. The second side displays a U.S. Postal Service tribute to the Pony Express Riders of the Butterfield Stage. The third side displays a compass with the logo of the Boy Scouts of America.

A hiker was found dead on New Year's Eve 2022, as there were wind gusts of more than 50miles per hour and wind chills were "well below freezing".^{[6] [7] [8]}

"At nearly 9000feet above sea level, Guadalupe Peak is a mountain environment with associated risks not found elsewhere in Texas," the park said, noting that the hike is a "very strenuous, 8.4miles round trip hike with a 3000feet elevation gain" to the highest point in the state.

Climate

Guadalupe Peak has a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb). Interpolated climate data based on surrounding stations is presented below:

See also

• List of mountain peaks of North America
  • List of mountain peaks of the United States
    • List of U.S. states by elevation

External links

• Web site: Guadalupe Mountains National Park . National Park Service . 2011-05-21.
• 1358489 . Guadalupe Peak . 2001-05-24.
• 150689 . Guadalupe Peak . 2011-05-21.
• Web site: Guadalupe Peak Trip Report . High-Powered Planet . 2011-11-14.

Notes and References

1. CD0994 . El Capitan . 2001-05-24.
2. 4297 . Guadalupe Peak, Texas . 2001-05-24.
3. Web site: GUADALUPE PEAK. Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. 15 June 2010. 7 April 2015.
4. Web site: April 29, 2005 . Elevations and Distances in the United States . United States Geological Survey . 2009-03-28 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080116113632/http://erg.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/booklets/elvadist/elvadist.html . January 16, 2008 .
5. Web site: Guadalupe Mountains: Guadalupe Peak Hike. National Park Service. PDF. 12 May 2015.
6. Web site: Hiker found dead on Guadalupe Mountains trail that leads to highest peak in Texas .
7. Web site: A hiker was found dead on Texas’ Guadalupe Peak .
8. Web site: One hiker died, another rescued from El Capitan Peak in Guadalupe Mountains .