Hunter Peak
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The Bear Canyon ascent gains elevation relentlessly with minimal shade on the upper switchbacks. Heat exhaustion is a real risk from May through September — start before sunrise or save this one for cooler months.
Afternoon thunderstorms roll in fast during summer monsoon season, and exposed ridgeline sections near the summit offer zero shelter. Lightning above 8,000 feet is no joke — check the forecast and plan to be off the ridge by early afternoon.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Run the loop clockwise — up Bear Canyon, down Tejas. Bear Canyon's brutal grade is far easier to grind up than stumble down, and the Tejas descent gives your legs a break when they need it most.
Carry at least three liters of water per person. There is no reliable water source on this route, and the exposed switchbacks on Bear Canyon will drain you faster than you expect, especially in warmer months.
Time your hike for mid-October to mid-November and Bear Canyon transforms into one of the best fall color displays in Texas — the bigtooth maples and oaks light up the narrow canyon walls in ways that rival anything in the southern Rockies.
Photos
NPS/Buehler
