McKittrick Canyon, Natural canyon in Guadalupe Mountains, United States.
McKittrick Canyon is a deep chasm cutting through the Guadalupe Mountains with high, sheer walls rising dramatically on both sides. It spans across two states and covers thousands of acres, transitioning from arid desert to lush areas where water runs year-round along the canyon floor.
An oil geologist donated his ranch lands to the government to protect the canyon from development, setting the stage for the creation of a national park. This transfer of land allowed the area to be preserved as public land for future generations.
The canyon holds archaeological treasures that reveal how people lived here in earlier times, and these discoveries shaped its recognition as a historic place. Walking through the area, visitors can sense the long human connection to this landscape.
The entrance is reached through a side road that winds for several miles off the main highway, so plan for a short drive to get there. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy hiking boots, as the trails are rocky and exposed to sun with few shaded spots.
At the point where the canyon opens up, plants suddenly shift from desert shrubs to maple trees and ferns, as if stepping between two different worlds. This sharp transition happens because water from the stream flowing through the narrow canyon keeps the bottom cooler and much more moist than the surrounding desert.
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