The last state highpoint of our Memorial Day week trip is located in the far northwestern area of Texas about 100 miles east of El Paso. Guadalupe Peak is 8,749′ high and is part of the Guadalupe Mountains. The peak and the mountain range were named for Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. The mountains were the last stronghold of the Mescalero Apache, with the most famous of the tribe being Geronimo.

We camped in the campground at Pipe Springs which is right at the trailhead of Guadalupe Peak. We decided to do a quick hike into an area called Devil’s Hall the afternoon that we arrived.

Again we got up early the next morning and were the 2nd group up the trail. I think the key to really enjoying these desert hikes is to get up early so you aren’t hiking in the midday sun. The hike is 8.4 miles round trip on what was again noted as a moderately strenuous trail. Not really … I think of all of the moderate distance (5 – 10 mile, non-glacier) highpoints that we have done so far this could be my favorite … nice trail, great views and we even got to see several Barbary Sheep near the top. A very enjoyable hike to round out our Memorial Day week trifecta!