Guadalupe Peak facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Guadalupe Peak |
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 8,751 ft (2,667 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 3,029 ft (923 m) |
| Listing | State high point 14th |
| Geography | |
 Guadalupe Peak
Location in Texas
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| Location | Culberson County, Texas, U.S. |
| Parent range | Guadalupe Mountains |
| Topo map | USGS Guadalupe Peak |
Guadalupe Peak, also called Signal Peak, is the tallest natural point in Texas. It stands 8,751 feet (2,667 m) high, which is about 8,751 feet above sea level. This amazing mountain is found inside Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is part of the Guadalupe Mountains range, which stretches across southeastern New Mexico and West Texas.
The peak is located about 90 miles (140 km) east of the city of El Paso. It is also about 50 miles (80 km) southwest of Carlsbad, New Mexico. Guadalupe Peak rises more than 3,000 feet (910 m) above the dry, flat land of the Chihuahuan Desert. Imagine a mountain rising almost a mile straight up from the desert floor!
Climbing the Peak
You can climb Guadalupe Peak using a well-kept, stony trail. The trail is about 4.25 miles or 6.8 kilometers long in one direction. As you hike, you will gain about 3,000 feet in elevation. This means you climb 3,000 feet higher from where you start. The trail is open all year round. It is part of the many hiking trails found in the national park.
The Summit Marker
At the very top of Guadalupe Peak, you will find a special marker. It is a pyramid made of shiny stainless steel. This pyramid was put there by American Airlines in 1958. It was to celebrate 100 years since the Butterfield Overland Mail started. This was a famous stagecoach route that passed south of the mountain.
The pyramid has three sides, each with a different message:
- One side shows the American Airlines logo.
- The second side has a message from the U.S. Postal Service. It honors the Pony Express Riders of the Butterfield Stage.
- The third side shows a compass with the logo of the Boy Scouts of America.
At the bottom of the pyramid, there is a metal ammunition box. Inside this box, you can find a summit register. This is like a guestbook where hikers can write their names and a short message after reaching the top!
Images for kids
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A view looking west from the top of the peak.
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The Salt Flats seen from the summit.
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The Guadalupe Mountains at sunset.
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The hiking trail leading up the peak.
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A high-elevation campground (8,100 feet) near the summit.
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A view of Culberson County, Texas, from the summit.
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The pyramid at the summit of Guadalupe Peak.
