El Capitan 8,064 ft. un-edited

In this photo El Capitan is reaching into the sky, Guadalupe Peak is just behind and to the right. The summit of El Capitan is most frequently accessed by dropping down from the trail to Guadalupe Mountain and bushwhacking across the scrub to the saddle between the two, then ascending rippling terrain to the summit of El Capitan. There is no trail to the summit of El Capitan. This dramatic limestone mountain rises boldly from its surroundings, sheer walls thrusting to the sky, gentle incline studded with desert scrub. In a large state not necessarily known for its mountains, El Capitan has won the hearts of many a peak hunter. Graceful yet rugged, this peak is a fitting companion to the nearby Texas highpoint, Guadalupe Mountain. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is just a short drive south of Carlsbad, this park is not open to cars, but only for hikers.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is home to 3 species of horned lizards - the Mountain Short-horned Lizard, the Roundtail Horned Lizard, and the Texas Horned Lizard.

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