Top of Texas

My plan was to start off the month of October by climbing to the Top of Texas, Guadalupe Peak.  This almost 9,000ft mountain however, is contained within Guadalupe Mountains National Park.  With the possibility of a government shut-down the first of the month and therefore no park and no peak, I decided the last day of September would work nicely too.

 

This is the view from the sliding glass doors in my kitchen.  Every time I wake up I look at El Capitan and Guadalupe Peak.  It was time.  Past time.  I packed my Texas flag and off I went.

The traditional pose by the entrance sign. 

The day couldn't have been more perfect.  I could have sat at this spot and simply stared at the bluest of blue skies all day.  The weather hovered around the upper 70s/low 80s.  Gorgeous!

I made good time getting to the top.  The view was spectacular.  I didn't spend a whole lot of time up there because the wind was incredible.  I put on another layer because it was cold and tried my best not to get blown off the peak.  I couldn't set my camera down for a photo because it would blow away.  Unfortunately, all the pictures are taken from the end of my arm.

Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas.

From the top you get an awesome view of El Capitan, the edge of the mountains that seems to shoot straight up from the valley floor.  This part of west Texas is beautiful!  Someday I'll stand on El Capitan.

This is kind of a scary face, but it was really windy.  My best attempt of several to get a good shot with my Texas flag.

It was a beautiful day, it was a lovely hike, and I'm proud to say I have now climbed to the Top of Texas.  Now, to find things to do since I've been furloughed...