Hunter Peak and The Bowl via Bear Canyon Loop

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX Guadalupe Mountains + Sacramento Mountains

Trip stats

Distance
10.1 mi
Net Gain
3,000 ft
Time
3-5 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop
Peaks
1

Ratings out of 10

Effort
4.2/10
Personality
5/10
Beauty
7/10
Solitude
3.1/10
What do these mean? →

Peaks on this hike

Summits listed in route order

  1. Hunter Peak
    8,368′ elevation · 528′ prominence

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

31.896081, -104.827314

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Dec 6, 2016 — This loop to Hunter Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park follows the Bear Canyon Trail to the summit, which is a pleasant hike in a cozy forested canyon/gully setting. The trail switchbacks a bit toward the top of Bear Canyon and emerges on the rim. From the rim you could head west to Hunter Peak. However, I wanted to check out The Bowl, a meadow just north of the summit that is likely more pretty when it's not winter. I left a dotted line on my map if you want to skip The Bowl and reduce the hike length slightly. Hunter Peak is a nice viewpoint looking southwest toward the other peaks in the range. The trails for the whole route are well marked and maintained, and the views are great up on the rim and summit.

From Hunter Peak, I continued west and descended along the Tejas Trail. This trail switchbacks many times as it winds around on the slopes and back to the trailhead.

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Photos

41 photos

  1. Starting along the Frijole Trail.
  3. Bear Canyon ahead.
  5. The Bear Canyon Trail switchbacks up this gully.
  11. Approaching the top of the Bear Canyon Trail, looking back down Bear Canyon.
  12. Entering The Bowl, along the Bowl Trail.
  14. The Bowl.
  16. Heading up to Hunter Peak, looking back into The Bowl.
  17. A view of Guadalupe Peak along the rim to Hunter Peak.
  18. Hunter Peak ahead.
  20. Looking back, almost at the summit.
  22. Hunter Peak summit.
  23. Guadalupe Peak on the left.
  24. Back along the Bowl Trail, headed toward the Tejas Trail along the rim.
  25. Hunter Peak in the distance while heading toward the Tejas Trail.
  26. Start of the Tejas Trail, the route down to complete the loop.
  27. Tejas Trail visible switchbacking down the slope. Guadalupe Peak top right.
  32. Devils Hall below.
  33. Close-up of the Devils Hall.
  35. Random cool rock formation along the way.
  39. Looking back the way I came.
  41. I did just the Tejas Trail a few years ago, and this was my favorite photo from that day. Thought I would keep it in here.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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