Our 1st hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park was the Devil’s Hall Trail. It is considered a Moderate-Strenuous hike that is 4.2 miles round trip.
Hiking Devil’s Hall
The first mile of the hike was alongside the mountain and did include some elevation climb.
After the first mile, the trail drops into the wash. At this point, the trail becomes uneven and rocky. In fact, be prepared to climb boulders. A huge thanks to my husband for posing for me (ok, he had no idea I was taking the picture, but thanks anyway!)
Once you reach the wash, you turn left and follow the canyon bottom to the Hiker’s Staircase and continue on to Devil’s Hall.
The trail, once you get into the wash, is not marked; which became an issue for us! Shortly after dropping into the wash is when you start preparing yourself to climb over boulders.
You see, after coming to a long path of large boulders, we assumed we had reached the end. So we stopped to rest and eat lunch (and of course take pictures)!
Turns out we were not at the end. Of course, we didn’t find this out until we got back to camp and went to the visitor center. It was then that I learned from one of the volunteers that if we had just traveled over those boulders and turned the corner we would have reached the Hiker’s Staircase (which btw is amazingly beautiful from what I saw in pictures).
We didn’t get the chance to try it again, so it looks like another trip will be in order to Guadalupe Mountains National Park!
Trail Info
Trailhead: Pine Springs
Length: 4.2 miles roundtrip, 2-3.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Tips
Make sure you have trekking poles! You will definitely want them on this hike!
Take plenty of water, especially during the hotter months.
Once you reach the wash, take a left and continue to follow. There will be a sign at the end of the trail. If you don’t see the sign, keep going as you haven’t made it to the end!
Pack a lunch, you will want to sit down and enjoy the view for a while!
Leave No Trace! Take a trash bag or plastic bag with you to put your trash in, then hike it back out and throw it away in a trash can!
Have you hiked Devil’s Hall? Comment below and let me know what you thought!
While you’re at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, make sure to make the hike to Pratt’s Cabin.
You pics are beautiful! Inspiring to hike more (I’m a runner)
Thank you!
This looks like a beautiful place to hike!
Wow, this is beautiful. I would love to hike here. Looks like the views would be magical. I am hoping this year will be my year to do more hiking!
Looks amazing! I bet you’re looking forward to that return trip to finish out the trail. I have minimal hiking experience, but am looking forward to a trip out to California this summer for a wedding, when we will be sneaking in a hike or two!
There’s nothing better than hiking tips from those who have gone before! Navigating new trails can be hard but this makes it so much easier! Thank you! Also, I’m all about sneaking pictures of our husbands on hiking trips ;)