Guadalupe Peak and Carlsbad Caverns Trip

IMPORTANT: RSVP priority will be given to our active members. You must have completed a conditioning hike with us recently or gone on previous Austin Mountaineers hiking trips. We do this to ensure everyone's ability and safety. See our event list for upcoming conditioning hikes which are normally scheduled every Saturday morning at River Place Nature Trail. Event host has final say on attendance.

We like to keep attendance to 4-5 per vehicle to keep the cost as low as possible for everyone. Right now, the shared cost for the trip will be approximately $80 each. This may change slightly as we near the trip and finalize our reservations. The shared costs include the hotel stay in Carlsbad, group campground fee, and the shared fuel expense. You'll just need to pay for your park entry fees and your own meals. Some of us have National Park passes that will allow us to get it at no additional fee along with some guests.

Itinerary:

Friday - May 9th
Meet at Carl's home in Cedar Park to depart at 8am.
Drive to Pine Springs Campground. +/- 8 hour drive.
Stay overnight at Pine Springs Campground in a group site.
If we arrive early enough, we should be able to do the Devil's Hall Trail (4.2 miles round trip, 548 feet elevation gain).

Saturday - May 10th
Breakfast at camp.
Break down camp and pack up.
Climb Guadalupe Peak (8.4 miles round trip, 3,000 feet elevation gain).
Lunch/snacks on the mountain.
Dinner in White City or Carlsbad. 1hr drive.
We'll stay at the Post Time Inn in Carlsbad.
4 people, 2 queen beds per room.

Sunday - May 11th
Check out of hotel and eat breakfast (included at hotel).
Go to Carlsbad Caverns. Arrive by 9:00am. We can enter at 9:30am.
Drive back to Austin. +/-8 hour drive.
We should arrive back home around 8pm.

If you don't think you have all the camping gear you need for this trip, please let us know. If you're just starting out, many of us in the group have extra gear that you can use so that you can attend without making a big investment. I'll send out a gear list prior to the event.

If you have dietary restrictions, please prepare snacks/meals ahead of time as many of the small towns we go through will not have many food options.

Cancellation policy: If you will not be able to make the hike, please change your RSVP to "not going" as soon as you know you will not be able to attend. This affects our car and hotel reservations and will open a spot for someone on the waitlist.

Waiver: By RSVPing to this event, you are agreeing that you are taking sole responsibility for your own health and safety, as well as that of any guest you may bring. If you or your guests are unwilling to accept this responsibility, then please do not RSVP for this event.