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Guadalupe Mountains National Park Institutes Soft Opening

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Published Date

June 25, 2020

Parts of Guadalupe Mountains National Park have reopened, including the Guadalupe Peak Trail/NPS file

Parts of Guadalupe Mountains National Park have reopened, including the Guadalupe Peak Trail/NPS file

Guadalupe Mountains National Park has moved forward with a "soft" reopening of certain areas of the park located in far west Texas.

The following areas have been open to the public: Devil’s Hall Trail, Guadalupe Peak Trail, Smith Springs Trail (one-way traffic is permitted), and the Frijole Ranch area, although the Ranch House will remain closed.

The Guadalupe Peak Trail, which leads to the highest point in Texas, is among the trails open and one of the most popular in the park, according to Elizabeth Jackson the park's chief of interpretation, education, and visitor services.

“We are moving forward with our planned phased reopening, and are confident that we can open in Phase 1 with a few trails open, no access to buildings, camping or backcountry use,” said Jackson, despite both New Mexico and Texas counties' COVID-19 cases being on the rise after a short-lived decrease.

The National Park Service encourages visitors to the park to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and follow “Leave No Trace Principals,” when visiting.

The following areas of the Guadalupe Mountains will remain closed until further notice:

  • Pine Springs Visitor Center
  • Dog Canyon Contact Station and its trails
  • McKittrick Canyon Contact Station and its trails
  • Public restrooms (port-a-johns are available for visitor use at the trailheads)
  • All overnight use, including campgrounds and backcountry use
  • Williams Ranch
  • Gypsum Sand Dunes

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Comments

Submitted by Rick B. on June 28, 2020 - 1:02am.

Humph --- did you catch the point of his delusions of grandeur sliding over to where HE thinks he is making the decisions to formulate public policy. 

"Probably not, but it means everything in the world to those that formulate public policy.  We have to make decisions every day that trade off safety for the desire to lead a meaningful and productive lifeg ." Luckily for the people of Colorado, every time he has run for public office he has been rejected. He is living in an unreal world.And I have to ask:

 

what everloving risk has he ever taken? True risk? Puting himself on the line where people bleed and die?Not one little bit.


Submitted by wild places on June 28, 2020 - 8:07am.

Thanks EC for civilly posting alternative views and for putting up with the constant abuse and childish name calling from those that aren't comfortable hearing that there is another side or perspective.
I for one always appreciate hearing different sides whether I agree with them or not.


Submitted by ecbuck on June 28, 2020 - 9:11am.

Brian, I have no problem if someone is in the vulnerable class and wants to stay home.  In fact I have stated that many times on this site.  Heck, if you aren't, vulnerable stay home if you wish.  I just don't want your fears to control everyone elses' lives.  PS - If you want to see antagonism, look at the comment I was responding to and virtually every other comment out of Rick.  Or perhaps look at some of your own recent comments.


Submitted by ecbuck on June 28, 2020 - 9:13am.

Humphry, what exactly was "offensive" or untrue about my comment?  Do you find the truth offensive?

 


Submitted by Kurt Repanshek on June 28, 2020 - 9:53am.

Ok, folks, let's move on. 


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