Pine Springs Trailhead — Attraction in Carlsbad

Did most of the El Capitan trail. The trail is moderate but there is practically no shade on the trail. Wear or at least take a hat and wear good hiking shoes, so you don't feel the rocks on this rocky trail. Plenty of water with electrolytes and stop at Academy Sports or where sold and get a pack of pickle juice(I did not have, this time), just in case. You may also run into biting flies so wear pants or use some bug repellent. We hike a lot and have been in similar situations but always had plenty of water, jerky and power bar type stuff. We started out and it was nice and cool. We had checked the weather and it was going to reach a high I the upper 80s, however it was a little humid. We didn't realize how much we were really sweating and all 3 of us ended up with heat exhaustion. We turned around and headed back and going thru the water pretty quick. We made it back. If you find yourself In a similar situation, make sure to stop often(don't want to pass out) and try and stop in shade if all possible and preferably in a place with air flow. Truly sip that water, if you are running low and breath in thru your nose and out thru your mouth. If your mouth is really dry, keep it shut and breath thru your nose. Be safe and have fun. I'll be headed back out to this trail in a few weeks ;0) ...

Nice trailhead where the Guadalupe Peak Trail begins. Leads to an amazingly beautiful and unique state high point. Of all of the 50 state high points, this is the only true "desert peak" of the bunch (although Black Mesa OK and White Butte ND come close). Beautiful surroundings in a very remote National Park. A five-mile trail climbs a little over three thousand feet to the summit. Make sure you start climbing early and take plenty of water in the summer. Camped at Pine Springs the night before and rose at 5 AM to have breakfast. The sign says 6-8 hours, but it took me just short of five. Beautiful vistas on the way up and at the summit itself. Nice marker from American Airlines at the summit (though they apparently covered up the USGS marker, or the marker has been stolen). Make sure you visit Carlsbad Caverns to cool off once you get off the mountain. Highly...

This trailhead is a few hundred feet deeper into the park from the main pine springs visitors center parking lot. There is parking for day use trail hikers as well as a parking lot which serves as the pine springs campground for rvs, camper vans, and travel trailers. The tent camping area is also accessed from this lot. There are many hikes accessible from this spot but the most popular are Guadalupe Peak and Devils Hall. If parking here fills up there is overflow parking at the visitors center. A sign at the park entrance indicates if the lot is full. The trailhead has toilet facilities and maps and signage as well as a park fee pay box. Because of the campground this lot is accessible 24 hours so it is perfect for early starts to the trails. Backcountry camping at Guadalupe peak is accesible from here as well but it is a substantial hike to the...