Guadalupe Mountains |  |
The following Incident Reports were extracted from the NPS Morning Reports/Coalition Reports from 1989-2024. They are not a complete record of all incidents which occurred in this park during this timeframe. INCIDENTS | |
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Tuesday, September 25, 1990 On the afternoon of the 23rd, rangers were summoned to McKittrick Canyon to rescue C.K., of Dallas, Texas, who was stranded in the canyon following a flash flood. Although they were aware of flash flood warmings, C.K. and her husband, R., had hiked into the canyon earlier that day. They crossed one wash, but were blocked from hiking further by a second wash, which was running with water. When they attempted to retreat, they found that the first wash was now filled with water as well. R.K. attempted to cross it, but was swept from his feet and washed downstream approximately 50 yards. He managed to reach the bank on the downstream side, however, and was able to go for help. Rangers helped C.K. across the stream at a safer spot with the assistance of a rope and harness. (CompuServe message from RAD/SWRO, 9/24).
Rangers discovered a man's body near the park visitor center at the Bear Canyon Trail junction early in June. Rangers and local county deputies are investigating the death, and the FBI has been notified. An autopsy will be conducted within the next few days. Evidence found at the scene indicates that the death was a suicide. [Bob Valen, GUMO, via CompuServe message from Sue Abell, RAD/SWRO, 6/11]
Early in June, rangers discovered a man's body near the park visitor center at the Bear Canyon Trail junction and began an investigation. Following a check of his fingerprints, they have determined that the victim was P.B.S., 49, of Oklahoma. His death has been ruled a suicide. [CompuServe message from Jim Radney, RAD/SWRO, 8/8]
Early on the afternoon of October 27th, two young men from Carlsbad, New Mexico, ages 17 and 19, entered McKittrick Canyon for a day hike to see the fall colors. At 11:00 p.m., rangers were notified by their parents that they had not returned. The two were lightly clad; one boy was in shorts, neither had jackets. The late afternoon weather turned from unseasonably warm to cold and rainy with the passage of a front, and winds were between 30 and 40 mph, with higher gusts. Temperatures in the mountains were expected to drop into the 30's during the night. A search was begun immediately and continued through the night. The boys were finally located at 9:30 a.m. over 11 miles from the trailhead and at a higher elevation. One boy was in an advanced state of hypothermia. After warming, they were transported by horse from the backcountry, then taken by ambulance to a medical center in Guadalupe. [SEAdog message from Lori Serrano, RAD/SWRO, 10/28]
A severe storm with several funnel clouds, winds of up to 70 miles per hour, and hail that accumulated to between two and four inches struck both parks on the evening of June 7th. No structural damage appears to have occurred, but rangers in Guadalupe Mountains are patrolling the Williams Ranch area for washed out roads and waterlogged park trails have been closed to livestock to prevent damage. Significant structural damage was reported throughout the city of Carlsbad. [Telefax from Bonnie Winslow, RAD/SWRO, 6/8]
Around 9:00 p.m. on the evening of June 14th, the park received a report of a hiker experiencing difficulties on Lost Peak, an area 12 miles from Dog Canyon. Rangers Greg Moss and Mike Bencic responded and reached hiker R.A., 49, at 1:00 a.m. Atkins, who was on medication, had high blood pressure and was experiencing heat exhaustion. The rangers treated him, then walked him out to Dog Canyon. [Greg Moss, GUMO, via fax from Bonnie Winslow, RAD/SWRO, 6/16]
Rangers were dispatched to a vehicle fire on U.S. Highway 62/180 in Guadalupe Pass on the evening of March 11th. A motorhome climbing up the grade had caught fire and was totally consumed. Park staff were able to release and rescue the owners' car, which was being towed behind the motorhome, but the motorhome itself and all its contents were completely destroyed. Rangers provided traffic control and kept the fire from spreading onto park and private lands until early the following morning. [Fred Armstrong, Acting CR, GUMO, 3/14]
Rangers received a report of a missing 14-year-old boy on the evening of April 21st. The boy had been hiking with a school group from El Paso; although his companions eventually turned around and headed back to the visitor center, he decided to continue hiking into the high country. He had neither water nor a light nor a jacket. Temperatures in the 30s and high winds were forecast. A hasty search was begun and the boy was found at 3:30 a.m. at an elevation of 8,000 feet. He was suffering from hypothermia, but recovered. Altogether, he'd walked about 16 miles. [CR, GUMO, 4/24]
Winds exceeding 130 mph buffeted park headquarters at Pine Springs throughout much of Wednesday, January 17th. The winds were accompanied by blowing dirt, which significantly lowered visibility. Nine government and four employee vehicles had most or all of their windows blown out, a step van was blown over on its side, and all vehicles were dented by blowing rocks. One of the employee vehicles was hit by an airborne picnic table, as was a visitor's RV. Windows were blown out of or broken in several park buildings; some roof damage also occurred. The roof of one building at the Texas highway department complex adjacent to headquarters was blown off, and a double trailer semi was blown over on the highway. Other pieces of park equipment were relocated by the wind. [Larry Henderson, Superintendent, GUMO; Rich McCamant, GUMO]
A search is currently underway for 20-year-old S.Z. of Erie, Pennsylvania, who was last seen at the Pine Springs visitor center around noon on Wednesday, March 5th, when she parted company with her group from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. S.Z. had opted to hike alone rather than accompany the group on a hike to the summit of Guadalupe Peak. Employees from Guadalupe Mountains NP and Carlsbad Caverns NP have been joined by units from the Border Patrol, Culberson County Sheriff's Office, Texas Department of Public Safety, El Paso Department of Emergency Services, and Las Cruces Border Canine SAR team. Approximately 65 ground searchers are being assisted by a helicopter from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The only clue at this point is that S.Z. signed the Pine Springs trailhead register, indicating that she planned to hike up Tejas trail. The register is located at the starting point for several trails which branch off shortly after leaving the trailhead. S.Z. is reportedly in good health but is not very athletic. There is no indication that she planned to do anything other than go on a hike. She was reported to be wearing light clothing without a jacket. The weather has been good since then, with very light winds (rare for the Guadalupes at this time of year). Nighttime temperatures have been just below the freezing point. The IC is chief ranger Jan Wobbenhorst. [Richard McCamant, GUMO, 3/6]
The search for 20-year-old S.Z. of Erie, Pennsylvania, ended on a happy note on the afternoon of Friday, March 7th, when she was spotted by a motorist on a ridge a quarter mile from U.S. 62/180 and about four miles west of the park's visitor center. S.Z. had been missing since Wednesday, when she failed to return from a solo hike. She told searchers that she'd hiked west on the El Capitan trail, although she'd indicated on the trail register that she was going north on the Tejas trail. S.Z. apparently reached the Salt Basin overlook, then left the trail and travelled down the steep slopes toward the highway, which would have been in her sight most of the time. She spent the first night in a small cave and the second under a large rock. On Wednesday night, the low was in the upper 20s; on Thursday night, it was in the 50s. She was in good condition, but weak, dehydrated and bruised from several falls, one of which may have knocked her unconscious. She was taken to a hospital in El Paso. A total of 122 people participated in the search. Searchers on the ground were aided by helicopters from the Texas Department of Public Service and Holliman AFB and planes from the Texas Civil Air Patrol. [Richard McCamant, GUMO, 3/8]
Rangers were asked by state police to provide fire protection and traffic control for a gasline explosion near the park at 1:45 a.m. on January 27th. Responding rangers could see a column of fire rising from the 30-inch line, which is a major artery in the natural gas pipeline system. The glow from the plume of fire was so bright that it provided an alpine glow-like effect on El Capitan, a prominent park landmark. The fire continued to burn until valves could be closed. The explosion created a crater that was at least 100 feet in diameter, and severely damaged Highway 62/180 by melting asphalt and upheaving the road bed. A 40-mile stretch of the highway had to be closed and traffic detoured until the fire could be contained and the road repaired. The road reopened at 8:30 a.m. There were no injuries. The cause of the explosion is not yet known. [Steve Martin, GUMO, 2/3]
Details have been learned about the pipe blowout which occurred early on the morning of January 27th. The line itself was 40 to 50 years old, but had recently been reconditioned. The gas company is still not sure of the cause, but suspects it may have been related to electrolysis from the pipe going from one soil type to another in the middle of a salt flat. Passing traffic could have provided the ignition source. Two truckers reported that they'd encountered what they thought was a fog bank; as they exited the "fog," everything behind them erupted into flames. A nine foot section of the 30 inch line blew out, but an adjacent 26 inch line was not affected. The line was pressurized to 820 psi, and over 200,000 cubic feet was lost before the rupture could be controlled an hour after the explosion was reported. [Steve Martin, GUMO, 2/6]
On the evening of June 12th, a horse and four mules from the park's pack string lost their footing while returning from a backcountry supply trip and tumbled 500 to 1,000 feet down extremely steep terrain, ledges and slick rock. Three of the mules survived the fall and were brought out the following day. One horse and one mule died. The quick actions of the park's animal packer prevented two other animals from falling. The five that fell were seasoned animals with knowledge of park trails and will be greatly missed. [Larry Henderson, Superintendent, GUMO, 6/18]
Secretary Babbitt visited the park and adjacent BLM lands in southern New Mexico from January 27th to the 29th. He spent the night at the Ship on the Desert Research Center in the park, hiked the Smith Springs trail, and joined park employees for breakfast and an open forum, during which he discussed expansion of the park's wilderness, air quality and boundary development concerns. He then traveled to Carlsbad Caverns NP, where he spent two days focusing on boundary concerns, cave protection and wilderness issues in the park and on adjacent BLM and state lands. This was the secretary's first visit to these parks. [Larry Henderson, Superintendent, GUMO, 2/1]
The park received a request to respond to a structural fire in its nearest neighboring community, Dell City, 45 miles away, just after 6 p.m. on October 24th. The structure contained a business that produced feed by combining alfalfa and molasses. The main concerns were the butane tank inside the building and the plastic bags used to package the feed, due to the possible toxic gases emitted from both. The park responded with four employees in its structural engine and wildland water tender. Fire and smoke could be easily seen from 30 miles away. Upon arriving on scene, they found that the fully involved structure was being attacked by the town's volunteer brigade and what appeared to be a crop duster making water drops onto the fire. A neighboring community also responded with its volunteer brigade. A major hindrance to the operation was the inability to maintain a constant water source for the engines, as there were no hydrants. The fire was considered out by midnight. Building and contents were considered a total loss. [CRO, GUMO, 10/25]
Two employees returning to the park from a trip to Dell City, about 45 miles away, reported a pipeline fire adjacent to U.S. Highway 62/180 near Salt Flat, Texas. Almost immediately after the initial report, Culberson County Sheriff's dispatch asked for the park's assistance with this incident, adding that there were possible injuries and that a number of vehicles were involved, including a school bus. The on-scene park employees reported that there were vehicles involved, but that the fire was too intense to confirm the number or type. The park responded with an ambulance, structural engine, and a water tender. Many other agencies from communities within a hundred miles also responded. Park ambulance personnel treated one individual for multiple first and second degree burns on the face and one arm. An eight-inch butane/propane pipeline had evidently developed a leak and a school bus traveling by on the highway had ignited the fumes. Two commercial trucks following the bus were engulfed in the inferno, but the school bus with children escaped with neither damage nor injuries. The ensuing pipeline fire impinged on an adjacent 20-inch crude oil pipeline, which eventually ruptured. The petroleum fire closed the highway and the nearby town of Salt Flat was evacuated. The two individuals who were transported to a hospital were the drivers of the two trucks and miraculously were the only ones who suffered injuries. One driver was released from the hospital; the other is in critical condition in Lubbock University Hospital's burn center. Fourteen park employees assisted with the incident. The following day, park staff were requested to assist a professional pipeline/oil well fire suppression crew with cooling the pipeline and cleaning up the area. This incident occurred approximately 20 miles from park headquarters and only a few miles from the park boundary, but fortunately no park resources were affected. The only impact was to park visitors who had to drive over 100 miles to get around the road closure. (CRO, GUMO, 11/18)
The park received a request for EMS assistance at a single-vehicle accident outside the park on Highway 62/180 near the base of Guadalupe Pass at 6:20 a.m. on December 19th. Rangers Teri Stoia and Steve Martin responded in the park's ambulance. A tractor trailer hauling lettuce had left the road and rolled 60 to 70 feet down an embankment. The driver had been ejected from the vehicle; he had an altered level of consciousness and was suffering from multiple injuries. The driver was a very large person, weighing approximately 350 pounds. Additional park personnel responded to help raise him on a Stokes litter up the steep embankment to the road. A medevac helicopter was requested from Fort Bliss in El Paso, and the driver was taken to William Beaumont Army Hospital. Once there, he became enraged, breaking the hand of one medic, punching another in the face, and tearing up a set of three-inch-wide leather restraints. Drug screening at the hospital showed that he was under the influence of methamphetamines. The accident is under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol. The driver faces additional federal charges by the military for his actions at the hospital. (Bruce Malloy, Acting CR, GUMO, 12/23)
At 8 p.m. on the evening of December 2nd, ranger Bruce Malloy was notified of a motor vehicle accident on U.S. 62/180 outside of the park. He found that several accidents had occurred on the icy road, including one with an injured 15-year-old girl who complained of neck and back pain. Shortly after Malloy arrived, a tractor-trailer jackknifed nearby, blocking the highway's westbound lanes. The park ambulance and ranger/EMT's Jeff Miller and John Cwiklik responded; ranger Peter Pappas provided traffic control by blocking westbound traffic, which was allowed to park at the Frijole Visitor Center. The visitor center was opened for the stranded travelers' comfort and staffed by park employees Liz and Rick Miller. About 50 vehicles and 150 people, including three buses full of high school students, were stranded there until just before midnight, when the road was reopened. Pappas was the IC. The Texas Highway Patrol investigated the accidents. [Peter Pappas, PR, GUMO, 12/4]
Carolyn Sue West, budget analyst for the two parks, lost a three-year battle with cancer on the evening of Friday, January 19th, at her home on the West Ranch near Carlsbad. She would have completed 29 years with the NPS in May. Sue spent her entire career with the two parks. She held a variety of positions, including park aid, general clerk, clerk typist, budget clerk, and temporary assignments as administrative officer and budget analyst, and worked for seven Carlsbad Cavern and four Guadalupe Mountain superintendents. A funeral service will be held today at the Church of the Nazarene on Church Street in Carlsbad. Messages of condolence may be sent to her husband, H., and her two daughters, A. and M. For additional details, please contact the superintendent's office at 505-785-2251 ext 321. [Diane Reed, CAVE, 1/23]
On the evening of Saturday, December 23rd, the park's fire brigade was called to assist with a three-vehicle accident involving a fully-loaded fuel tanker that occurred near the park. Park staff responded with two structural engines and the park's new mass casualty incident trailer. Brigade members managed emergency medical care for the injured and extinguished the fire in the tanker, which was fully engulfed in flames. The were four fatalities, including a nine-year-old child and the truck's driver. Six people were injured and were taken to area hospitals. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Texas State Highway Patrol. [Peter Pappas, Park Ranger]
A search for a missing airplane and its pilot has been underway since Wednesday, February 28th. J.W. was en route from California to Virginia in a Van's Aircraft RV-6 when the plane disappeared from radar over a remote section of the park (for more on the RV-6, click on the link below). The park was notified on Saturday. An intensive search was begun that involved park staff, Texas Highway Patrol officers, and Civil Air Patrol and Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft. Ground crews have searched all of the high probability search areas and aircraft have conducted both high and low level searches, but no signs of J.W. or his aircraft have been found. Ground crews were scheduled to wrap-up their efforts yesterday. Civil Air Patrol aircraft will continue with air searches. [Peter Pappas, Incident Commander] HYPERLINK "http://www.vansaircraft.com/public/rv-6int.htm"
The week-long ground search for a missing plane and pilot came to a conclusion on Wednesday. All high probability areas were searched, but no sign of a crash site was found. The search began on February 28th, when an RV-6 piloted by J.W. disappeared from radar over a remote section of the park. The intensive search involved park staff, Texas Highway Patrol officers, and Civil Air Patrol and Texas Department of Public Safety aircraft. Routine patrols will continue to search for signs of the downed plane, and specific areas will be checked as new intelligence is developed. The Civil Air Patrol will continue an aerial search. [Peter Pappas, Incident Commander]
The park fire brigade responded to a tractor trailer collision and fire on the state highway near the park around 1 a.m. on April 12th. Upon arrival, firefighters found the truck and trailer fully engulfed in flames and a large amount of diesel fuel spilling from the truck. They created a dike to prevent the spill from going into a local water source and extinguished the blaze. The driver of the truck was treated on the scene by park EMTs and released. He was cited for operating a vehicle with defective brakes. [Peter Pappas, IC]
The park's fire brigade responded to a request for assistance from the Dell City Fire Department around 5 p.m. on the afternoon of April 18th. A building fire in that town was threatening to spread to other structures. Park firefighters helped contain the blaze by employing hose streams from the park's structural engine and water tender. The fire was brought under control around 7 p.m. Arson is suspected, and the case is being investigated by the state fire marshal and the Hudspeth County Sheriff's Department. While the fire brigade was engaged in controlling this blaze, a call came in reporting that a 10-year-old girl had fallen off a swing and was unconscious and having trouble breathing. A park EMT responded and resuscitated the girl. Park EMT's then treated her until paramedics arrived on scene. The girl was airlifted to Thomason Hospital in El Paso and is expected to make a full recovery. [Peter Pappas, IC]
On December 27th, a tanker loaded with over 9,000 gallons of liquefied propane failed to negotiate a curve near the park and overturned, killing the driver. The accident closed state highway FM 652 for over 30 hours while a hazmat team removed the propane. The park provided personnel, equipment and technical expertise to the response operation. Low temperatures, winds over 60 mph and the remote location hampered the response. The accident is under investigation by the Texas Highway Patrol. [Peter Pappas, Park Ranger]
Park staff continue to assess the damage from last month's storm and flash floods and to effect repairs. Approximately 65% of park trails are now open. The park has repaired and reopened the entire Smith Spring Trail and completed repairs to the Frijole Ranch Cultural History Museum. The museum will be staffed on weekends and intermittently on weekdays. Horseback riding is now allowed on trails from Dog Canyon, but stock trails in the rest of the park remain closed due to safety concerns. Open facilities include: Pine Springs Visitor Center and Campground (RV and tent camping) Dog Canyon Ranger Station and Campground (RV and tent camping) Frijole Ranch, including the Frijole Ranch Cultural History Museum McKittrick Canyon Visitor Contact Station Guadalupe Peak, Wilderness Ridge, Marcus, McKittrick Ridge and Mescalero Backcountry Campgrounds Guadalupe Peak Trail McKittrick Canyon Trail from the McKittrick Canyon Trailhead to Dog Canyon Pinery Trail and the Pinery Butterfield Station Ruins Smith Spring and Manzanita Spring Trails Bush Mountain Trail (from Dog Canyon to Marcus Overlook) Marcus Trail, McKittrick Nature Loop Trail, Permian Reef Trail, Indian Meadows Trail, and Manzanita Ridge Route Tejas Trail from Dog Canyon to the Marcus/Blue Ridge Trail Junction (it remains closed from the Marcus/Blue Ridge Trail Junction to Pine Springs) El Capitán Trail to the Salt Basin Overlook (it remains closed between the Salt Basin Overlook and Shumard Canyon) Guadalupe Canyon Trail (to the Salt Basin Overlook) Much of the park sustained rain and flood damage during last month's storms and flash floods and most trails sustained damage, with many areas being washed out or covered with debris. The National Weather Service reported that the Bowl recorded 12.41 inches of rain during a 24 hour period over September 11th and September 12th, while Dog Canyon recorded 9.50 inches, McKittrick Canyon recorded 7.32 inches, and the Pinery recorded 5.12 inches. The Texas Tech University West Texas Mesonet ( HYPERLINK "http://www.mesonet.ttu.edu/" ) weather station, located near the park's fire cache, registered 15.73 inches of rain between September 9th and September 14th, including 13.50 inches during a 24 hour period. Trail repairs resulting from last month's storms and flash floods are ongoing. Equipment will operate outside of the park's wilderness area on weekdays only, while hand crews will work on trails throughout the park on weekdays and weekends. Williams Ranch and the Salt Basin Dunes remain closed from last September's storms and flash flooding, as a portion of the Williams Ranch Road is washed out and part of Williams Road to the Salt Basin Dunes is still under water. [Karl Pierce]
A storm system that moved slowly through the Rocky Mountain and Southwestern regions of the country in mid-September caused major flooding and damage in two national parks - Guadalupe Mountains and Rocky Mountain. Although three months have since passed, recovery operations continue in both areas. Guadalupe Mountains NP Much of the park sustained rain and flood damage during September's storms and flashfloods, and most trails sustained damage, with many areas being washed out or covered with debris. Park staff continues to stabilize and repair the damage from the storm and flashfloods. Approximately 97% of park trails have been stabilized to date and are now open. The park brought in 10 members of the elite Mexican firefighting crew, Los Diablos, which has enjoyed a strong relationship with the National Park Service for more than 20 years, to supplement park trail crews. The park has reopened the Frijole Trail, Guadalupe Peak Horse Trail and Devil's Hall Trail, resulting in restored access to high country trails and most backcountry campgrounds. Water has also been restored to Frijole Ranch, including the public corrals. Although many areas have reopened, closed trails and areas include: El Capitan Trail (between the Salt Basin Overlook and Shumard Canyon) Bear Canyon Trail Williams Road (part of which remains under water) and the Salt Basin Dunes Shumard Canyon Backcountry Campground Trail stabilization and repairs continue. Equipment is being utilized outside of the park's wilderness area, on weekdays only, while hand crews work on trails throughout the park on weekdays and weekends. Park staff and other park volunteers are serving as flaggers to ensure that visitors are able to safely pass working trail crews and equipment. [Karl Pierce, Guadalupe Mountains; Kyle Patterson, Rocky Mountain]
Progress continues in making emergency repairs to the serious damage inflicted by last September's heavy rains and flash floods. Particularly hard hit were park trails. A weather station located near the park's fire cache registered 15.73 inches of rain between September 9th and 14th, including 13.50 inches over a 24 hour stretch during that period. The park recently reopened the Bear Canyon and El Capitan trails and the Shumard Canyon backcountry campground. With the exception of Williams Road, which leads from Dell City to the Salt Basin Dunes and the Salt Basin Dunes day use area, all park roads, trails and facilities are now open. Park trail crews continue to work on Williams Road, much of which remains under Linda Lake; once they are able to reach it again, they will continue work on the Salt Basin Dunes day use area and Salt Basin Dunes trail. The park has released the ten members of the elite Mexican firefighting crew, Los Diablos, who've been providing assistance in the recovery. The crew has enjoyed a strong relationship with the National Park Service for more than 20 years. Also assisting have been temporary AD trail crew members hired to supplement the park's trail crews in the aftermath of the storm. For more information, see the park's HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/gumo/index.htm" webpage or HYPERLINK "https://www.facebook.com/guadalupe.mountains" Facebook page. [Karl Pierce]
The park is recovering from the intense rainfall and flooding that fell on the area between September 12th and September 23rd. During that period, Guadalupe Mountains received 14.93" of rain at Pine Springs, 13.52" at the Pinery, 17.35" at the Bowl, 12.45" at McKittrick Canyon and 10.86" at Dog Canyon, and was forced to close most roads and trails on September 22nd due to flooding. The Pine Springs area of the park so far has received 17.84" this month, breaking last year's record of 17.10", which also resulted in closures to most park areas. Park staff this week assessed the damage to park trails and roads and determined that the Guadalupe Peak, Pinery and Devil's Hall Trails were safe and passable and could be reopened to the public. The Salt Basin Overlook Trail is open from the Guadalupe Canyon trailhead only. The Pine Springs Visitor Center, Pine Springs and Dog Canyon Campgrounds and Guadalupe Peak Backcountry Campground are open. All other roads and trails will remain closed to the public until park staff are able to assess and stabilize them. Closed areas will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. For more information about current road conditions, see HYPERLINK "http://www.drivetexas.org/" www.drivetexas.org for Texas or HYPERLINK "http://www.nmroads.com/" www.nmroads.com for New Mexico. For park closure information, visit the park website at HYPERLINK "http://www.nps.gov/GUMO/". [Karl Pierce]
On April 19, due to high to extreme fire danger conditions, the Southwest Agency Coordination Center moved from Preparedness Level 3 to Preparedness Level 4. Guadalupe Mountains also observed several instances of illegal fire activity in the backcountry. Thus, both parks have closed all backcountry campsites until further notice. Source: KOSA, Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Further fire restrictions at Guadalupe Mountains were enacted on May 23, including the closure of all trails in the Wilderness, the McKittrick Canyon Road and Visitor Center, the Dog Canyon developed area (including the campground), and the Frijole Ranch Road, Campground, and Museum. The Salt Basin Dunes trail and Pine Springs area remain open. At Carlsbad Caverns, further fire restrictions were enacted on May 25, including the closure of the Wilderness Area and all backcountry areas to day use, closure of Yucca Canyon and Slaughter Canyon access roads, and prohibition of open flames and cooking stoves throughout the park. The main park road and visitor center, Chihauhuan Desert Nature Trail, Walnut Canyon Overlook Trail, and Rattlesnake Springs remain open. All previous closures in both parks also remain in effect. Source: Carlsbad Caverns, CBS4 Local July 13, 2022 The park reopened most trails and campgrounds for day use. Wilderness camping permits and the Dog Canyon area remain closed due to continued high fire danger. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Wilderness use permits are now being issued for overnight camping. They had been closed since mid-April due to extreme fire danger conditions. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
The park reopened the Dog Canyon area on August 1. It had been closed due to fire danger since mid-April. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
On January 31, the NPS was notified of an unresponsive hiker on the Guadalupe Peak Trail. Bystanders administered CPR, but it was unsuccessful. The cause of death was not reported, though the NPS noted that visitors should exhibit caution when traveling in windy and cold conditions. Source: KTSM
On April 29, the NPS was alerted to a rock climbing accident on El Capitan Peak. It was reported that one member fell off an edge and appeared to be unresponsive, while another climber was stranded on a ledge. An interagency rescue team began a response that afternoon, working through the night to access the site. In the morning, the fallen climber was found deceased. The stranded climber was rescued. Additionally, one member of the rescue team sustained an injury and was transported to a medical facility in El Paso for care. Access to the Pine Springs area was temporarily restricted for emergency traffic and then reopened. The agencies involved in the rescue in addition to Guadalupe Mountains staff included Texas Department of Public Safety air support, C Company 2-227th MEDEVAC air crews, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Eddy County (NM) Fire Department, Carlsbad Fire Department, Dell City Fire Department, firefighters from Olympic National Park, Culberson County (TX) Sheriff's Office, and the Culberson County Ambulance Service. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
On June 28, due to extreme fire danger, the park closed all trails in the Wilderness, the McKittrick Canyon Road and Visitor Center, the Dog Canyon area, and the Frijole Ranch area. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
On July 14, the park received a report of smoke in the area of Cutoff Ridge. As of July 19, the Cutoff Ridge Fire was 449 acres and burning in a remote area with no threats to life or structures. The fire is being managed by ground and air crews. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Carlsbad Current Argus
On November 2, a 71-year-old went on a hike from Dog Canyon to Blue Ridge. The individual was expected to check into a hotel that evening but never arrived. A search ensued, including ground and air teams from the NPS, Department of Public Safety, U.S. Border Patrol, and Texas Search and Rescue. The individual was found alive on November 6 "in a remote off-trail location in the northern part of the park." Source: KTSM
On September 9, the Dog Canyon well failed, resulting in the park closing that area. Well pump issues have been ongoing since August and the well is now considered "no longer viable." The park is working to fix the issue. Source: Guadalupe Mountains National Park | |