How High?

[SA Bill]

Still actively planning an for overnight hike to the S Rim this October. Working hard to get in shape.    Buying some new equipment. 

Anyway, can anyone tell me the elevation gain from the Basin trail head up to SW3 or SW4?

Also, what topos would be best for this trip?
  Thanks!
    Bill

[badknees]

Basin trailhead - 5,380'
SW 4 - 7,280
SW 3 - 7,180

About 2000'


Go to this page for a full rundown on the topos for the whole park

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/topomaps.htm

For a S Rim hike you need "The Basin" and "Emory Peak".



Profile via LM trail

[SA Bill]

Thanks badknees!!

2000' in 6+ miles isn't so bad....yeah, right!!     However, it's probably not as bad as the hike up to Guadalupe Peak in GUMO. I did that one time with a loaded pack and I remember thinking that it was like climbing stairs the whole way up. Not a step that wasn't "up".
   Bill

[TheWildWestGuy]

If you take the pinnacles trail up there are 32 switchbacks between the metal signs that say "don't cut switchbacks",  some are longer than others but it's all good.  TWWG

[badknees]

SABill,

You can download the 24k Collarless DRG DD (topo) as a TIF file from this page.

http://www.tnris.state.tx.us/datadownload/county.jsp?Name=BREWSTER

If you have the ability to print to a large format printer you can actually print them yourself. If not you can always buy them at PJ.

[SA Bill]

Hi WildWestGuy!
32 switchbacks...hmmm. ..I think I'll go the other side...up Laguna Meadows...makes sense anyway 'cause I want to get to SW3 or SW4 for the night.

Thanks for the link badknees! I have access to a large format color laser printer at work...soooo...I might print one or two until I can get one of the "plasticy" mspd from Trails Illustrated.
   Bill

[chisos_muse]

Ya know, I prefer Pinnacles, but that's just me....LM takes longer but has it's beauty as well. Remember, you can always cut off some time if you go up the road where the cottages are and hang a left. That will save you from starting at the TH. Believe me, you'll just want to get up there. Spend lots of time in Boot Canyon. Very beautiful.....

[RichardM]

The basic Chisos Mountains Trail Map is all you need for the South Rim hike, unless you're going to do some serious bushwhacking. Heck, you really don't need it except to keep track of how much further...

[SA Bill]

Hi Muse!
The two times I've been to the S Rim I'm pretty sure I did the usual up LM / down Pinnacles. Good tip about going up by the cottages! You're absolutely right...I'll just want to get up there...although I am planning a very moderate pace and an early start. I want to be on the trail by sun up so I can take my time. Maybe explore a little in Boot Canyon...been by there a few times but never really spent any quality time in that area.

If I start early, and don't dawdle too much on the way up, can I be at SW3 or SW4 by mid-afternoon? That would be wonderful and would give me time for a quick nap before spending the rest of the day exploring and taking pics.
   Bill

[badknees]

I would allow 4 hrs. It's not a race. Enjoy.

[Al]

Bill, since you have plenty of time, you may want to ask around about an engineering supply store in San Antonio that has all the USGS maps of Texas in stock. In Austin, it's Miller Blueprint on 6th Street. Austin also has TNRIS but that's a state-wide service.; You can also order the 7.5 minute topographic maps from USGS:

http://topomaps.usgs.gov/

Al

Trying to edit out the "&nbsp".

[mule ears]

Heck, you really don't need it except to keep track of how much further...

I agree completely, if your staying on the trails it's not like one can really get lost.  The whole park Trails Illustrated map would be the one to take so when you get to the rim you can sit and use it to know what your looking at more than finding your way there.

The old rule of thumb for how long it takes was 2 miles per hour plus an hour for every 1000' of elevation gain.  That would be around 5 hours, but badknees is probably closer at 4 hours.  Having been up and down both Pinnacles and Laguna Meadows many times, Pinnacles is a lot more work and just a bit farther to SW4 but you do get to go thru Boot Canyon on the way.

[dkerr24]

Thanks badknees!!

2000' in 6+ miles isn't so bad....yeah, right!!     However, it's probably not as bad as the hike up to Guadalupe Peak in GUMO. I did that one time with a loaded pack and I remember thinking that it was like climbing stairs the whole way up. Not a step that wasn't "up".
   Bill

I've hiked to SW3/SW4 and Guadalupe Peak, and definitely Guad peak was much tougher... about 1000' higher.  Lots more shade along Pinnacles and LM trail compared to the Guadalupe Peak trail.

[SA Bill]

Hi Al!
The temptation was too strong so I ordered the quads from USGS. I also picked up the over all BB map from Trails Illustrated. I'm (almost) good to go, map wise.

Hi badknees!
Yep, I'm allowing 6 hours but I think I will make it in less than that. I'm hoping that many photo ops make for a relatively slow ascent.

Hi dkerr24!
Aside from the incredible views from the top of Guadalupe Peak, what I remember most is the climb since every frickin' step was a step up...at least it seemed that way to me! We were so beat when we finally reached the camp site that we collapsed and took a nap...something that I may do again when I get to the camp site on the S Rim.
  Bill

[homerboy2u]

There are many more videos on YouTube , if you search for them....Guadalupe Mountains

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/ztMuL5sgi0I&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/ztMuL5sgi0I&rel=0</a>

 Soaring the Guadalupe Mountains...what a way to come down from the top.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/v/R22gjhUAK3k&rel=0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/v/R22gjhUAK3k&rel=0</a>