Hunter Peak

At 8,368 feet, Hunter Peak is the sixth-highest mountain in Texas and sits 381 feet below Guadalupe Peak. This is a quieter alternative to its better-known neighbor, but the loop is still a strenuous, full-day hike: 8.7 miles, 2,700 feet of elevation change, and about six to eight hours.

Climb Bear Canyon, cross the Bowl Trail to the short summit spur, then descend by Tejas. Bear Canyon gains about 2,000 feet in just under two miles; Tejas spreads a similar gain over roughly twice that distance. The footing includes loose or hardened rock, so trekking poles are useful on the steeper sections.

The north side of the peak slopes gently through pines; the south side is steeper, rockier and more desert-like. From the summit, the view reaches over the Bowl's sheltered forest and surrounding peaks, then south across Pine Springs Canyon toward Guadalupe Peak and the desert. For a photo, turn south and keep Guadalupe Peak across the canyon in the frame; then look north for the green Bowl against the drier slopes.

The summit's fossil-rich limestone is part of the area's fossilized Permian reef. It's a striking change in perspective: an ancient reef now forms the high crest above the desert.

Hunter Peak takes its name from J. C. Hunter and his son, J. C. Hunter Jr. After inheriting the family ranch in 1945, Hunter Jr. expanded it to about 72,000 acres and considered a future for the land as a park. The mountain's name is a reminder of the ranching history behind the protected landscape.

Day hikes do not require a reservation; overnight trips require a Wilderness Use Permit. Carry a headlamp for a sunrise or sunset hike, and plan for limited cell coverage and a potentially slow rescue. The park recommends using a restroom before heading into the wilderness. Bear Canyon's fall colors usually arrive from mid-October into mid-November.