What to Prepare Before Climbing Guadalupe Peak in Your 50s.
Hiking Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas at 8,751 feet, is a dream for many Texas hikers.
I was in my mid-50s when climbing Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park during Spring Break. It was tough, but I made it safely to the summit and back again.
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Are you over 50 and planning to climb Guadalupe Peak? Here are some things to prepare before climbing Guadalupe Peak in your 50s. Honestly, this advice is worth reading and sharing even if you are under 50.
What to Prepare Before Climbing Guadalupe Peak in Your 50s.
1. PREPARE YOUR PHYSICAL CONDITION.
I am healthy, but I am not an avid gym-goer or a runner.
You should not have any health issues, such as asthma or a heart condition, when planning a hike to Guadalupe Peak.
The Guadalupe Peak Trail is a strenuous hike. It starts at an elevation of one mile above sea level and gains 3,000 feet in elevation. It is not a beginner-level hike.
Months before I climbed Guadalupe Peak, I hiked a lot with my dog in North Texas. I frequented Cleburne State Park and Dinosaur Valley State Park, tackling the longest trails in the parks.
I also hiked several times at the Fort Worth Nature Center.
These are some of the places in North Texas where you can get elevation.
At home, I liked to jump over two to three steps at a time when using the stairs to reach our bedroom upstairs, and also when going down.
When I could hike the Fossil Ridge Trail Loop in Cleburne State Park without needing a break and breezily tackling the Overlook in Dinosaur Valley, I felt ready to take on Guadalupe Peak. It was now or never.
I told my son that we would be going to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park during spring break. I wanted him to hike the Guadalupe Peak trail with me.
At the time, my son was a sophomore and was actively involved in both the Boy Scouts and the marching band. The previous summer, he had gone to Philmont and climbed Baldy Mountain before we took on Guadalupe Peak.
As mentioned earlier, I successfully reached the summit and returned.
However, I suggest doing exercises to strengthen your calves, legs, and core to make climbing easier. Go climbing up and down whatever stairs you have access to. Think of local sports stadiums, multi-level parking garages, or hotels with external staircases.
If you do this, you will build more strength and endurance. You will move faster and more easily than I did.
2. SET YOUR MIND TO REACH THE GOAL.
I’m not the one who said the Summit Trail in Enchanted Rock is easy. Or, there are no challenging trails in Texas.
I’m an average hiker.
Hiking to the highest point in Texas was my first. I’ve never climbed a mountain before.
The park stated on their website that the steepest part of the hike is in the first mile and a half, as the trail switchbacks up the first steep slope.
It was no joke. I stopped a lot, even when I hadn’t reached the mile 1 marker.
Did I want to turn around?
No! I was determined to reach the top of Texas before I reached 60. Before my knees say they have enough. Lol.
It’s important to have this value. It will help you in reaching the summit of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Of course, you must know your limit.
I knew I was ready, but I didn’t realize the climb to Guadalupe Peak was really hard. I never pictured it that hard in my head.
A friend turned around before mile 1. He knew he couldn’t make it, but I think he was underestimating the trail. In his mind, if I could do it, of course, he, who is much younger than I, could do it. The difference was that I hiked a lot, he didn’t.
3. ACCEPT YOUR PACE – AND MAKE PEACE WITH IT.
One of the gifts of hiking in your 50s is learning that slow doesn’t mean weak.
Short steps. Frequent pauses. Deep breaths. The mountain is not going anywhere.
My biggest motivation was seeing women older than me return from the top. I didn’t know whether they had reached the top, but they were on their way down.
I remember seeing a lady who looked like she was in her mid-70s coming down with her family. She was my biggest motivator to keep going.
I didn’t care seeing younger women who walked past me going up and going down while I was still trying to reach the summit.
4. PREPARE YOUR LOGISTICS.
Guadalupe Peak is far in west Texas. It took almost 7 hours and 30 minutes to drive there from our house south of Fort Worth.
Day one is practically driving to the destination. I suggest you enjoy the drive and make stops along the way.
Gas stations along the road are plenty. It’s not like when you go to Big Bend.
Ideally, you stay at Pine Springs Campground near the Visitor Center in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. However, they fill up fast.
We parked our teardrop trailer at Carlsbad Park & RV Campground in Carlsbad, New Mexico. It took us around 45 minutes to get to the park.
The RV campground also has cabins and tent sites. Dogs are welcome (but not in the cabins), and the restrooms are new and spotless. They also have an indoor pool.
After you arrive at the area, visit the Pine Springs Visitor Center in the park. You want to make sure the weather is perfect for your hike the next day. If it’s not, hike on the day after.
Therefore, plans to stay three nights in the area for this Guadalupa Peak hike.
I kept checking the weather forecast on the way to Guadalupe. When we arrived in Carlsbad, my weather app showed strong winds the next day. I asked the park ranger’s opinion, whom we met near the Guadalupe Peak Trailhead, about it. She suggested I move the plan to the day after. Fortunately, we planned a three-night stay in Carlsbad.
With this in mind, the weather forecast also determines what to wear for the hike.
Additionally, you don’t need to make a reservation for climbing, but you must pay an entrance fee to the park.
5. GEAR.
As mentioned above, this is a strenuous hike. Much of the trail is over steep, rocky terrain. You must wear comfortable, well-broken-in hiking boots or shoes with good traction. Every foot is different. I was happy with my Merrell.
Trail surfaces consist of loose or hardened rock. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. They helped me a lot going up and down the Guadalupe Peak Trail.
Always monitor the weather to determine what to wear. It was chilly when we started. I could have taken off my hat when I arrived at the summit. The problem was that my hair shaped like a hat whenever I wore a hat. So, I kept it on because I wanted to look good in the pictures. Lol.
Guard your exposed skin with sun protection. Apply and bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and lip balm.
There isn’t much shade on the trail, so bring at least a gallon of water for each person. I split mine into four bottles, one with Crystal Light and the rest with water. You can use electrolyte drinks, too. When you consume half of the water you are carrying, turn around. For snacks, I brought trail mix, Cheeze-its, and energy bars. I had PB&J sandwiches for the summit. You’ll want the extra energy for the hike down.
Even if you’re not hungry, make sure to eat and drink often.
I also carried hand sanitizers, baby wipes, multiple layers of TP, and First-Aid Kits. Thank God I didn’t have to use the TP and First-Aid Kits.
For this Guadalupe Peak hike, I wore my bigger day pack. It was light. My shoulders didn’t hurt the next day from carrying all of this stuff.
Why Guadalupe Peak Is Worth Climbing in Your 50s.
I felt powerful standing at the top of Texas in my 50s. It’s not about proving anything to anyone else—it’s about proving to myself that curiosity, strength, and adventure still belong to me. You will feel this, too!
Guadalupe Peak proves that age doesn’t limit our experiences; only a lack of preparation does.
If you’re thinking about taking on this hike, go prepared, go patient, and go proud. You will make it safely to the highest point in Texas and back again.
After all, the view from the top is worth every careful step.
