Discovering Guadalupe from the Highest Peak in Texas

Few of us outside of Texas associate the state with mountains, but our recent time in the Guadalupe Mountains showed us a side of the Lone Star State we weren’t expecting. Cold winds nipped at our noses, and mountain air mingled with a scent of forest from ponderosa pines as we ascended to the tallest point in Texas.

At every turn we were surprised by views from the trail, the changes in the breeze depending on which side of the slopes we hiked on. We collected moments from the trail, so today we share some of our favorite shots to paint a picture of this most unexpected place:

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Guadalupe Mountains National Park is a sister park with Carlsbad Caverns, which is just over the border in New Mexico.
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The trail to the summit.
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Crossing back into Texas from Carlsbad Caverns.
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The start of the Guadalupe Peak Trail.
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The start of the trail to Guadalupe Peak.
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View from one of the many switchbacks during the beginning of the hike.

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The top! 8,750 feet.
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Descending back down the trail we crossed paths with a young road runner.
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Guadalupe Peak.
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A shrine to Guadalupe discovered off the road leading away from the park.

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