Permian Reef Trail

The Permian Reef Trail is located at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the McKittrick Canyon. To get there, from the entrance to the Guadalupe Mountain National Park, drive on the US62 NE for about 7 miles and you will find the McKittrick Road. Take this road and in about 3 miles you will arrive to the visitor center, the trailhead (31.97782, -104.75233) is there just crossing this center. Walk to your right heading north; just in front, you will see the Reef. The trail is rocky and steep but in good conditions, and not very difficult to walk. In about 2 miles the trail continues in the back side of the mountain for about a mile and a half until you arrive to the top. From here you start walking on a nice and almost flat trail in the pine tree forest. The trail continues by the edge of the reef but also touches the forest. Stop here and admire the beautiful view of the mountains and the valley, you are at the height of more than 2000 Ft from where you started to walk. Continue walking on the trail until you arrive to a fence where the state of Texas ends and the State of New Mexico begins, this point is the end of the trail, do not forget to sign on the notebook that is inside of a metal box. Then, return by the same route and enjoy from the top the beautiful views of the forest, the Guadalupe Mountains and the McKittrick Canyon. Walking down is easier than walking up but you also need to walk with care, there are many loose rocks. If you are lucky, you will see some herds of deer on the way up and in the forest area. You walk on this trail for a little more than 9 miles, so please carry plenty of water and wear a good pair of hiking boots.