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Permian Reef Trail

Type: Trail

Length: 4.20 Miles

Elevation Gain: 2000 Feet

Cost: N/A

Rating:

(3.00)1

Difficulty: 3stars

(3.00)

Solitude:

(3.00)

ADA Accessible: No

Bikes Allowed: No

Dogs Allowed: No

Interpretive Guide: N/A

County: Culberson

More Information: More Info

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Photos

This is a view of the Permian Reef taken from the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail. (Photo by Blaze)

As these rock fossils show, this area used to be oceanfront property millions of years ago. (Photo by Blaze)

The trail ends at this turnstyle near the TX/NM border, but you can pass through and hike all the way to Carlsbad Caverns if you're prepared for a multi-day thru-hike. (Photo by Blaze)

The top of the reef is forested and strikingly different than the desert-like environment below. (Photo by Blaze)

There are a number of fossil beds along the trail. (Photo by Blaze)

The Permian Reef trail provides scenic overviews of McKittrick Canyon. (Photo by Blaze)

On your way up, you can take this short loop for extra distance or a change of scenery. (Photo by Blaze)

The trail leads you up to and on top of this ridge. (Photo by Blaze)

This small sign is at the start of the Permian Reef trail. (Photo by Blaze)

This tarantula was walking across the trail. (Photo by Blaze)

This trailhead is near the Visitor's Center and takes you out to the McKittrick Canyon Trail or you can branch off to the Permain Reef Trail. (Photo by Blaze)

This is the entrance sign to McKittrick Canyon. (Photo by Blaze)

Log Entries

Permian Reef Trail and McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail
By Blaze on 8/29/2014
Rating: 3stars

Difficulty: 3stars

Solitude:

Distance: 11.60 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 51 minutes

This log covers my hike of the Permian Reef Trail and the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail.

In my opinion, the Permian Reef Trail is one of the better trails to hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It isn't too long, but it challenges you with a lot of elevation gain. You can ask for an interpretive map at the Visitor's Center there so you can appreciate all of the numbered exhibits along the trail. It's basically a natural, outdoor museum that is very interesting and educational.

The most amazing thing to me is when you reach the top of the ridge. Instantly, you come out of a desert-like environment and are transported into a green forest environment! The trail continues on along the ridge and provides spectacular views of the canyons below. The trail officially ends at a turnstyle (near the TX/NM border) but if you are prepared you can keep hiking through the Guadalupe Mountains all the way to Carlsbad Caverns National Park about 38 miles away.

Overall, this is a great hike. Do it! :)

After descending down the reef back to the Visitor's Center, I also decided to hike the McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail. I wasn't very impressed with this loop trail, however, as there wasn't much too see.