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Beyond the Grotto, the hike gets much steeper to the Notch, though we didn't think the elevation gain was what made this section hard, it was the overgrown desert shrubs and vegetation which at times gave us cuts on our arms and legs. Tried to go to Devils Hall near the main visitor center, but was turned away because lot was full, and so was campground (we got there on Wed around 10:30am). Thousands of visitors come to Guadalupe Mountains National Park to visit McKittrick Canyon each year, especially during the latter part of October or early November for the sensational fall colors. Beyond the Notch, the trail continues is climb up to the McKittrick Ridge Backcountry Campground. He also reported taking this species from the "Rio Benito" at Fort Stanton, New Mexico, and from other mountain streams in New Mexico. Both Rio Grande Chub and Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout likely expanded their ranges and had a more widespread and continuous distribution during this wetter and cooler period, but as conditions became drier and warmer, ranges diminished and relict populations were left behind in small patches of suitable habitat. Any Texas or southwestern U.S. road trip wouldnt be complete without experiencing, In fact, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is part of the same mountain chain that houses the other worldly depths of Carlsbad Caverns! Then the trail moves upward into the mountain range and the view gets great. The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The canyon is one of the few spots within hundreds of miles with maple trees, so at this time of year the scenery is spectacular. Hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Mountain Standard . That species is widely stocked around the state and there is one permanent population in McKittrick Creek, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where it was introduced in the early 1900s. The final 0.25 miles up to the Notch is the most difficult. Manage My Subscriptions, archive Some of you know my writing from here OR publications like Drake Magazine, Lone Star Outdoor News and others. The landscape isnt the only showstopper here in McKittrick Canyon. Good socks and liners are a must, as is plenty of water, and for real enjoyment, lunch and snacks. Bryce Canyon Utah_x000D_ 3734N 11211W / 37.57N 112.18W February 25, 1928 35,835.08 acres . Be sure to bring lots of water, a snack (or two), wear decent shoes and use sunscreen. This allowed us to make good time just not enough to get to Pratt Cabin. If you go there, consider staying at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn. Hike McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail in the fall to see the enhanced fall colors. Hike The McKittrick Canyon Trails. This lengthy and arduous hike extends from the length of McKittrick Canyons floor to the top of its ridge at the McKittrick Ridge primitive campground! Best Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. McKittrick Canyon surprised me, and it continues to be one of the most unique spots I have hiked in the state of Texas! There is a short side trail to follow off the main path to visit the Pratt Cabin. The bigger, the better :-). The truth, the Texanist is sorry to report, is that there are no rivers in Texas, the Guadalupe included, that are cold enough to support a real trout fishery. The Version table provides details related to the release that this issue/RFE will be addressed. For aquatic organisms in particular, what is now the Chihuahuan Desert was a route for dispersal during this time. The Grotto marks 3.4 roundtrip miles along the McKittrick Canyon Trail, but I would highly recommend tacking on another minute to take the spur trail just past the Grotto to the third and final landmark on this day hike, the Hunter Line Cabin. In fact, Guadalupe Mountains National Park is part of the same mountain chain that houses the other worldly depths of Carlsbad Caverns! Expect to see resident mule deer enjoying the peaceful serenity of the canyon. Gary Garrett is a Research Associate in the Ichthyology Collection, 102 E 24th StreetFNT 1.206CAustin, TX 78712, http://www.fishesoftexas.org/specimen/FoTX%20unvouchered1. Trailside exhibits describe common plants, and reference wildland fire. This short spur trail will take you to the Grotto formation, carved into a cliff wall along the right side of the spur trail. Is it true that the Guadalupe River is the only river in Texas that is cold enough to support trout? , The trail was very good and well marked. Past the Pratt Cabin, the flora and fauna of McKittrick Canyon really begins to shine, and quickly becomes the star of this hike! Also, some claim it holds the title of the most beautiful natural place in Texas. Fly fishing is a much-romanticized pastime beloved by outdoorsmen the world over. account_circle Introduced Rainbow Trout in particular have proven very troublesome for different native Cutthroat species all over the country, as their high degree of genetic similarity allows them to interbreed with Cutthroats. Relatively easy but lots of rocks can be hard on the soles. So, is the McKittrick Canyon Trail worth it? The Chihuahuan desert contrasts with steep canyon walls, century plants, and prickly pear cacti. WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK: If your visit to Guadalupe Mountains National Park is part of a bigger road, White Sands National Park is a great place to add on to your itinerary. Spectacular! McKittrick Canyon Trail Since McKittrick Canyon is a hundred miles east of El Paso and two hundred miles due west of Midland, you could say it's in the middle of nowhere. As we already know, completely washing fish out of any location is highly improbable. The Grotto is a small cave with formations that resemble stalactites and stalagmites, with a little bit of imagination. So what gear will you need to responsibly enjoy McKittrick Canyon? McKittrick Canyon is a definite must see. *Planning to tag on another nearby National Park? The trail is a moderate .9 mile round trip and takes less than one hour to complete. . Mountains in Texas: Are They Fact or Fiction? We (two couples ages 45-60) hiked the McKittrick Canyon trail to the Grotto (approx. Its nice, but there are a bunch of hikes that we liked a lot more. The next landmark along this portion of the McKittrick Canyon day hike is the aptly named Grotto. As the trail continues down northeast slope you will probably recognize that less sun exposure makes this side a little more lush. For aquatic organisms in particular, what is now the Chihuahuan Desert was a route for dispersal during this time. Just do it! Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. I felt like this hike allowed a good overview of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. When I did this, I started relatively early in the morning (about 8 am) and was the first person to the Notch. Wow! Other imposing residents include elk and black bear, though they are less likely to be spotted. We hiked the McKittrick Canyon Trail all the way to the Notch (10 mi. Legends of lost Spanish gold mines drew many unsuccessful prospectors before the turn of the century. A Look at Mckittrick's Naturalized Rainbow Trout - 2 Skiff Fly Line Management - THREE STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM! McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park has a self-sustaining population of rainbow trout, but fishing is not allowed there. It was open when we visited in mid-October. Some from TPWD mentioned that McKittrick Canyon was on their bucket list, or even at the top of their bucket list. The fact no one had been there added something to the excitement and just like a backpacking trip along a new trail, it also leveled the field and heightened anticipation. The studies are extensive, including analysis of fish surveys, water temperature and stream flow, and genetic studies. Parking was way less busy, there were restrooms and some interpretive signs (that VC is not open right now). Just beyond the Grotto is a cluster of picnic tables. Read that paper for background. | the "Tickler" at $129. Less than an hour away from big sibling Carlsbad Caverns, visitors to the Grotto can get a little taste of this mini cavern. The Lone Star State, as youve apparently gathered, doesnt hold a candle to the Beaver State in the trout department. WHITE is the 2022 default color, but you can order color mats with a few extra days of patience. 31m Moderate 4.5 (129) Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. We paid our entrance fee at the visitor center and then drove to the canyon. Out of all of the trails we hiked in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, this trail was one of the busiest (hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail to the Notch was also very busy). He backpacked in and got some beautiful photos of the trout in McKittrick Creek. detour, the Grotto. The young man would go on to amass a fortune in land and cattle, not far from where he first disembarked. (Texass official state fish, by the way, is the Guadalupe bass.). If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it. Beyond the Grotto, the trail gets rocky and rapidly climbs higher to the Notch, but the reward is a great view of McKittrick Canyon. Asterisk number two: McKittrick Creek is situated inside the borders of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where fishing is prohibited. Part of the Guadalupe mountains national park in Texas. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. We did pass about 30-35 people on our return, but overall we were surprised the hike wasn't busier compared to what we had been warned. We just hiked to the Pratt Cabin and sat in the rocking chairs and had a snack. The trail becomes quite steep near the end, so ending your trek in McKittrick Canyon is never a bad idea. McKittrick Canyon Trail Hiking Trail, Pine Springs, Texas McKittrick Canyon Trail Intermediate/Difficult 4.5 (12) Areas TX West Texas Guadalupe Mountains National Park Plan with onX Backcountry " A long and semi-technical canyon ascent that has some of the best views in west Texas! At this point in the trail the incline becomes much steeper increasing more than 1,000 feet in about a mile and also becomes much rockier. Each year, the good folks at TPWD stock hundreds of fishing spots around the state with hundreds of thousands of ready-to-catch rainbow trout. McKittrick Canyon is a spectacular canyon jewel hidden and protected from the outside world between a narrow outer wall (Frijole Ridge) and the main part of the Guadalupe Mountain Range of West Texas. This unassuming brook is home to the only self-sustaining population of trout in Texas, a remarkable remnant of a rainbow trout stocking program from way back in the early part of the last century. Bring water. As we drove up 54 and merged with 62, the mountain range loomed large. Please exit McKittrick Canyon before the posted closing time. Whether you stop at the cabin or at the grotto, it's all beautiful. Disclosure: Below are some affiliate links-these are all products I highly recommend. The McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail is a short trail with dramatic views. We had too much fun taking pictures of El Capitan rest stop so we did not have the full two hours to make Pratt Cabin, but we did have an amazing walk through a unique canyon. It will take most people between 6 to 8 hours to do this hike. Really awesome hike that is very popular in the National Park. PAGE 4 year's 1,100 "We felt we needed more largemouths fairly urgently this year because many of the lakes in the western half of the state have risen to high But the views from the Notch are incredible, and worth the pain to get there. Parking Please note Guadalupe Mountains is administer out of Carlsbad so on Mountain time and Daylight Savings keeps the park open until 6:00. There will be a new video segment out soon, and it will go over the importance of keeping a fly fishing calendar, or diary, to help we who are of lesser memory and greater activity; to keep track of your fly fishing adventures as a reference of what can happen or no longer happens (in [], Texas Clay Fest Gruene Texas This Weekend. I wont make any recommendations on this page that I havent tested or personally used! Whether you come for the fall show, or plan your trip for another season, the beauty of McKittrick Canyon is always breathtaking. These trout, stocked by some unknown landowner around a century ago, have thrived in this environment ever since their introduction, further supporting the idea that a native trout once occupied these waters, and proving without a doubt its possibility. Carp Diem! Devils Hall, which is in Pine Springs, is shorter and more fun than the McKittrick Canyon Trail, and it leads to a cool looking slot canyon. The Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU), a conservation organization dedicated to protecting trout populations across the country, is spearheading an effort to look into reintroducing the fish into its native Texas waters, starting with McKittrick Creek, home to the aforementioned viable population of introduced Rainbow Trout. As the trail heads deeper into McKittrick Canyon, it crosses a dry wash several times and there will be one to two creek crossings (the creek may be dry depending on recent rainfall). The detour to the Grotto is marked with a metal trail sign. Email subscriber privacy policy If you are not an experienced hiker, plan for this hike. RVers will enter the park via NM-137. McKittrick Canyon 119 Reviews #2 of 15 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park Nature & Parks, Canyons Guadalupe Mountains National Park, TX Save Stephen S Richardson, Texas 28 27 Only Hiked to Pratt Lodge Review of McKittrick Canyon Reviewed June 14, 2016 This hike starts off relatively easy, as it is a mostly flat walk through the canyon to get to the first two sights, the Pratt Cabin and the Grotto. We realized that we would not be able to get to the Notch due to time constraints and turned back. Water and snacks. Quick Facts on the McKittrick Canyon Trail, Overnight Backpacking Length: 14.8 miles roundtrip. As the trail switchbacks up the McKittrick Ridge, it can be quite steep at times, with large boulders to climb up and in some cases, long series of steep, somewhat uneven steps. This 3,000 ft. deep canyon hides a riparian oasis below its big walls supporting some wildlife found in no other place on earth. Sure, any fish can be pursued through fishing with flies, but the heart and soul of the sport will always lie in the pursuit of the game fish it was invented for: trout. Back at the trailhead, the lot was still only about half full just after lunchtime. We had done Guadeloupe peak the day before and were pretty tired, so we had only planned to wander in for a few minutes. The Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin are adjacent to each other on the same spur trail, which will be described further in more detail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Our group hit the trail. Trail very pretty and peaceful. Texas Journal of Science 2:117-138.) A drawing of the fish was accompanied by the description: "yellowish brown above, spotted with black; a red band on each side of the chin." Guide to Planning a Trip to China: The Great Wall Marathon Runcation. It is named for Captain Felix McKittrick, who acquired the land for ranching in 1869. This hike starts off relatively easy, as it is a mostly flat walk through the canyon to get to the first two sights, the Pratt Cabin and the Grotto. Its a beautifully restored hotel with all modern conveniences. We all highly recommend this hike. Specifically, McKittrick Creek, which runs through the Guadalupe Mountains (no relation to the Guadalupe River), near the Texas-New Mexico border. We saw many families with children returning as we were striking out. Leave them blank to get signed up. We even saw two deer near the cabin. The McKittrick Canyon is one of the top areas to visit in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. But your reward is better views, an overall more interesting hiking trail, and just a fraction of the number of people that the McKittrick Canyon Trail. The only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout in Texas is in McKittrick Canyon, near the New Mexico border in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, where the Rare Earth Elements: A Review of Production, Processing . To get to the trailhead, walk through the building to the other side. Where to Try and Catch Texass Most Underappreciated Fish, Texass Big Ranches Are Still Selling for Big Bucks. I walked the extra half hour out to the Grotto. Title, 400 Pine Canyon One of those unique things was water. For planning purposes, theres a few things you should know about accessing Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and the McKittrick Canyon hike. I would rank this shortened version of the McKittrick Canyon hike on the harder side of easy, and the easier side of moderate. As you will come to learn about six months from now, it gets hellishly hot here in the summertime, and while the states many rivers and creeks can maintain refreshingly cool temperatures through the warmer monthsif, that is, they dont completely dry up and blow awaythey do not, McKittrick Creek notwithstanding, stay chilly enough to support trout, who prefer a sub-70-degree water temperature. The Permian Reef Trail heads off to the right and the McKittrick Nature Trail heads off to the left. I meet Tuesday with TPWD's Western Region Inland Fisheries Director, their Habitat Restoration Chief, and the fisheries biologist who wrote the original article about Rio Grande Cutthroats in Texas to map out our initial field trip. more, #2 of 15 things to do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. and the BEST SELLER Clint the largest on the market at $149.+ TX&SH Made right here in Texas, the good old USA, by me. Today, there is a growing belief that they are actually native to Texas. Park entry fee required for all adult visitors. The trees include among others Big Tooth maple, Texas Madrone, Little Leaf Walnut, Honey Mesquite,, and Mexican Buckeye. Trail widths vary from two to six feet depending on the trail. To hike the entire McKittrick Canyon Trail, most would consider a multi day, overnight backpacking trip. Mixed shade and sun. The trail to the Grotto leads off to the left and heads downhill on a very rocky trail. 915-828-3251 Hot tip: The Canyon Lake Dam tailrace, on the Guadalupe River, is a perennially popular spot. Start the hike early, ideally by 8 am (but even better is early). McKittrick Creek, Guadalupe Mountains. Enter the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, a rare species found in New Mexico and Southern Colorado. I had no cellular service on this trail. The ultimate, News Summary and Forecasts on Fly Fishing in Texas, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). I met yesterday with the Board of Guadalupe River Trout Unlimited and have their support for the project. But what we may lack in trout, we make up in the diversity of our catchable piscifauna, including gargantuan bass, the freshwater fish for which Texas is probably best known. It may not be the Colorado Rocky Mountains, but the mountains are plenty big for Texas. Once home to the Mescalero Apaches, McKittrick Canyon is an alluring wonderland of lush and abundant flora and fauna. The Texanist: Why Dont Texas Houses Have Basements? Most of the elevation on the McKittrick Canyon Trail comes immediately after the Grotto and adjacent Hunter Line Cabin spur trail. Im not saying Texas is big, but . If this is part of a bigger road trip to Texas and New Mexico, here is more information to help you plan your trip. The extra traction on hiking shoes will make it easier and safer to hike the rocky trail to the Notch. The views all along the trail were beautiful, not to be missed. Additional land was purchased from J.C. Hunter, and in 1972, Guadalupe Mountains National Park was created by an act of congress. This unassuming brook is home to the only. One walk through Mckittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and you to will be convinced. Im Kristen, the author and active traveler behind Yonderlust Ramblings! The hike is lot more difficult beyond the Grotto. The first thing he said was that was a great hike! He loved the trail, the short but fun walk through a slot canyon, and the best part, the views from the top of the ridge. We almost missed this hike. Find out what we carry in our day packs and what we wear on the trails. As a standard for mythical tall tales and legends, it comes as no surprise that Texas holds the national corner on stories of lost treasure. My husband went as far as Pratt cabin, sat in a rocking chair there, and promptly fell asleep. While I hiked the McKittrick Canyon Trail, Tim hiked the Permian Reef Trail. The Permian Reef Trail is slightly shorter than hiking to the Notch, but there is 1,000 feet more elevation gain, so overall it is a tougher hike. Sort By: Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. McKittrick Canyon is designated as day-use only, with daily visiting hours from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Color and intensity can change quickly, so make plans now to visit the national park soon. Bring at least 3 liters of water per person in the summer if you plan to hike to the Notch. Just the sound of such a thing fills many a fly fishing Texan with pride. There are 8 primitive campsites at the McKittrick Ridge Campground. Hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail to Pratt Cabin, the Grotto, and the Notch is one of the most popular hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Nestled among towering limestone canyon walls, Mckittrick Canyon has a beauty that while not as majestic as the Grand Canyon, does have its own impressive diversity of plants, wildlife and scenery. Past the Grotto Spur Trail, the character of the trail changes. Trail Junction: The trail to the Grotto is on the left and the McKittrick Canyon Trail continues on the right. . The water harbors Texas's only self-sustaining population of rainbow trout. The one trail exception is the short Pinery Nature Trail located at the Visitor Center. The exact reason for the fishs demise in the state is not known with certainty. This point in the McKittrick Canyon hike is considered an ideal turn around point for the average day hiker. I have never been to the areas you speak of, but it would be great to restore the fish to their native waters. For mountain hiking that traverses desert floors to forested peaks, look no further than the highest point in Texas at Guadalupe Peak! View of McKittrick Canyon from the trail. Hike the McKittrick Trail to Pratt Cabin, a distance of 4.8 miles, crossing the stream twice. A WIDE PRICE RANGE: The original Rounder at $129. To date, theyve hauled off more than 36,000 of these derelict traps. Even though the trail is ranked as easy to moderate, that depends on a few personal variables. We only had enough time to do one hike in the McKittrick area of the park, so Tim and I split up. Q: Im an avid trout fisherman who was raised in Oregon, which is blessed with many cold rivers and streams that support trout. Trail Junction: Pratt Cabin is to the right and the McKittrick Canyon Trail continues to the left. As I met the participants, including personnel from TPWDs San Angelo, Texas, fisheries office, I began to be aware that none of us had been to McKittrick Canyon with the exception of Dr. Gary Garrett. Just like you, these trout are not native, but Texas is happy to have themand youall the same. See what else this Mountain Range is Home to at neighboring Carlsbad Caverns National Park! McKittrick Canyon is a scenic canyon within the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas and Eddy County, New Mexico. The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Wallace Pratt, a petroleum geologist who was charmed by the beauty and geology of the Guadalupe, purchased land in McKittrick Canyon in the 1930's. In 1959, Pratt donated his land to the National Park Service. On the saltwater front, redfish and speckled trout rule, along with, of course, your larger varieties of game fish. For the entire first half of the hike, I had the trail to myself, other than passing two backpackers on the trail. As we entered the park Saturday about 10:30 a.m., we were advised by a ranger that the park was almost full and we might not have a place to park. Please note that a backpacking permit is required from the main Visitors Center in Guadalupe National Park to do this entire portion for overnight camping. As a solo traveler I felt safe. any personal information to the agency. Beautiful views, colors and interest along the way. Learn how to plan your visit in our article Best Things to Do in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. After this initial departure, as the trail continues on and the resident peaks of Guadalupe begin to converge around the trail, it becomes more apparent that a rare and mesmerizing environment exists here. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. While fall colors are not particularly visible on Guadalupe Peak, the hike to the summit remains the most popular in the park, with hundreds of visitors attempting this strenuous trail . The Rio Bonito is a tributary of the Pecos River and is known to have contained Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout at that time (Behnke, R.J. 1979. It is possible to see McKittrick canyon without hiking 19 miles with tree days of water. That portion of the trail was also a gradual incline. Bulletin of the U.S. For mountain hiking that traverses desert floors to forested peaks, look no further than, The McKittrick Canyon Trail is located in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Guadalupe Mountains National Park epitomizes the diversity of this region: it has mountains, forests, deserts, and canyons, all intricately and seamlessly blended together! I am a hiker, backpacker, camper, state highpointer, long distance runner, cyclist, kayaker, tower runner, and avid pursuer of new destinations that allow me to interact with them in an active way! On the way back to the Contact Station we encountered a park volunteer who shared stories of the area with us. [["NAME","B01001_001E","state","school district (elementary)"], ["Clarkdale-Jerome Elementary District, Arizona","4041","04","00004"], ["Salome Consolidated . It is the wider of the three trails and covered with bright white gravel. U.S.D.A. 4.9 Stars on Google with over 100 reviews We offer Full Service Moving and/or Labor Only Fully Licensed & Insured ODOT#254487 USDOT#3429439 MC#256401 Schedule your next Move or Free Walk Through. I liked the McKittreck Canyon hike enough to return the next day and go on another hike. If you are new to hiking or are curious about what you should bring on a hike, check out our Hiking Gear Guide. Your email address will not be published. Check out the, What to Expect on a McKittrick Canyon Day Hike, Day hiking in McKittrick Canyon was long on my bucket list of hikes, after having witnessed the surprising depth and diversity of other portions of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, including its, *Planning to tag on another nearby National Park? An Oregon transplant is hoping he can find a few places to cast a line in his adopted state. How to Hike the Permian Reef Trail | Guadalupe Mountains National Park, 16 Great Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, How to Hike to Guadalupe Peak, the "Top of Texas", How to Hike the Devil's Hall Trail | Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Written by and Photos Courtesy of: Matthew Jacobs. However, they lock you in at 6:00 and it is a federal felony if you get stuck per the McKittrick VC. Hiking or trekking poles are highly recommended. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Hes always availablehere. Alas, as West Texas warmed and dried over the millennia, only relict populations of cutthroat remained. The deep, narrow canyon is composed of gneiss and schist, which appears black when in shadow. Wallace Pratt donated 5,632 acres of his beloved canyon to the National Park Service in 1957 opening up the way for the creation of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Select Model COLOR SELECTION A WIDE PRICE RANGE: The original "Rounder" at $129. A new wonder world of water outside the door. Upon returning from the expedition to McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountain National Park (GMNP), I have been slowly reassembling all the sights, sounds and thoughts into some sort of organized, interesting and scientifically accurate report. In 1878, the wildlife conservation and sporting magazine, Forest and Stream, reported that a surgeon stationed at Fort Davis, Texas during the Civil War took "Salmo fontinalis" from nearby Limpia Creek. If you missed the initial premise of this expedition, it was a joint effort pooling the skills of various organizations that included; Trout Unlimited (TU), Texas Parks And Wildlife, National Parks Service, New Mexico Parks and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU). Which is why, says Steve Magnelia, Parks and Wildlife stocks lakes and neighborhood ponds with rainbow trout every winter. The elevation gain and steepness of the trail pick up considerably past the Grotto and Hunter Line Cabin, so those continuing on should be aptly prepared, or planning to camp overnight at the backcountry McKittrick Ridge Campground.