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24275 Hits
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73.06% Score
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3 Votes
Page Type:
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Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon:
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31.90920°N / 104.8746°W |
Elevation:
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8615 ft / 2626 m |
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Overview
The third highest peak in Texas, Shumard Peak has two very distinct personalities. From the east, the mountain is a weathered and rutted desert pyramid, well-defined ridges radiating down from the summit. From the west, the peak is a sheer-faced wall of chalky rock that varies in color throughout the day, as painted by the rays of the sun.
Further enhancing the mystique of this peak is the relative inaccessibility of the summit. Separated from the Bush Mountain Trail by the depths of Pine Spring Canyon, Shumard Peak sits snuggled between Bartlett Peak to the northwest and the high point of Texas, Guadalupe Peak, to the southeast. Any way chosen to the top of this mountain involves thrashing through prickly desert brush on rocky, trail-less terrain. Indeed, many may argue this is the hardest-won of the primary, named summits in the main section of the park.
Rank: 3rd highest peak in Texas
Prominence: 675 feet
USGS Quad: Guadalupe Peak
Planning Map: Trails Illustrated #203 | Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Rank & Prominence: Lists of John
Red Tape
Welcome to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The entrance fee to this national park is $5.00 per person for adults 16 years of age and older, and is good for 7 days.
Many use restrictions apply in national parks, most notably that dogs are not allowed on most trails and are restricted only to parking lots, campgrounds and interpretive trails or other trails designated as dog-friendly.
 South to Guadalupe Peak from Shumard Peak summit |  Guadalupe Peak and El Capitan from Shumard |
Getting There
Shumard Peak and Bartlett Peak
The vast majority of visitors to Guadalupe Mountains National Park will arrive by vehicle. Shumard Peak is accessible via the primary park entrance. The park is located in far west Texas, about 110 miles east of El Paso, Texas. To reach the main entrance, out of El Paso, follow U.S. Highway 62/180 to the park entrance.
El Paso has the nearest major commercial airport, though Albuquerque, New Mexico, would be an option for air travelers, as well.
To to the sheer topography of the west-facing escarpment walls, Shumard Peak is most frequently accessed by dropping off the Bush Mountain Trail, crossing Pine Spring Canyong, and ascending the eastern ridge of the peak.
Camping & Lodging
Front Country Camping
Per the National Park Website:
Pine Springs* (Elevation 5,822')
Located just off U.S. Highway 62/180 near the Headquarters Visitor Center, Pine Springs Campground is a simple, desert camping area situated at the base of the mountain.
•Campground conveniences include: potable water, accessible flush-toilet restrooms , utility sink, pay telephones, and a drink machine. There are no showers available in the campground.
•Tent campers have a choice of 20 leveled, gravel sites. Small junipers and oaks partially shade most of the sites and each site has a picnic table. Numbers are limited to 6 people or 2 tents per site.
•The RV camping area is a paved parking lot with 19 sites to choose from. RV sites are defined by painted lines and numbers on the pavement. There are no hook-ups and there is no dump station. RV water tanks can be filled from an outside water faucet near the registration board. RV campsite #21 is wheelchair accessible.
When you arrive, select a campsite, then pay at the self-registration board near the restrooms, or fees may be paid by credit card at the Headquarters Visitor Center. All sites are on a first come, first served basis. The fee is $8.00 per night per site, $4.00 for Golden Age (Senior) and Golden Access Passport holders.
Backcountry CampingPermits, available at the visitors center, are required for the limited backcountry camping in Guadalupe Mountains National Park and stays are limited to 3 nights. All water must be carried into the backcountry. Even if you manage to find potable water on top of this well-drained limestone escarpment, park rules dictate that the water be left for wildlife. It is recommended to bring one gallon of water per person, per day. The Bush Mountain backcountry campsite works well for accessing Shumard Peak as part of a multi-day or overnight trip. Visit the National Park Website for more information about the 10 designated backcountry campgrounds in the park. *Per SP Member Bark Eater:The Pine Springs tent camping area is small and can typically fill by Thursday evening for popular weekends. The good news is that the NPS folks are pretty cool and will let "tenters" sleep in their cars or pickups in the RV area if spaces are available and the tent area is full. This was the case for my group. Still nice picnic tables available around the RV space. You just cannot pitch a tent there. The park enforces quiet time after 8 PM so you don't have to worry about generators going all night long. The flexibility to stay in the RV lot is good because other drive-up camping options are a LONG drive away. |  Backcountry tent pad |
Weather & Seasons
•Summers are hot, though the desert nights cool down nicely at this elevation. Keep an eye out for afternoon monsoon storms in late summer.
•Autumn is generally cool and calm with pleasant fall colors.
•Winter can bring warm sunny days but bitter cold nights and even fog, snow and freezing rain.
•In a park notorious for high winds, spring brings some of the gustiest conditions. The park frequently posts high winds warnings in springtime.
External Links and Additional Information
Approaching Shumard Peak
Shumard Peak at center stage
•Guadalupe Mountains National Park Official Website
•Park Map (PDF)