Skip to content
Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness permit

Guadalupe Wilderness Gear Checklist

What to carry on Guadalupe Wilderness, and why. 9 more are worth the pack space.

9Total Items
9To bring

What to bring on Guadalupe Wilderness

Specific to this permit, not a generic camping list.

  • Bring

    One gallon of water per person per day, all of it carried up from the trailhead

  • Bring

    Wind-worthy shelter. Gusts from 30 to 80+ mph are published for the November through April season

  • Bring

    Warm layers

    because the ridge is thousands of feet above the desert floor

  • Bring

    Photo ID for permit pickup

  • Bring

    Stove

    since the range is under high fire risk from March through September

  • Bring

    Extra water bladder

    because water weight is the factor that limits most trips here to one or two nights

  • Bring

    Trekking poles for the sustained 2,000 foot climbs

  • Bring

    Satellite messenger. Cell phones have limited coverage and search and rescue is discretionary

  • Bring

    Buff or bandana for blowing grit on the ridge

4 people can go on one permit. Split this list between them so nobody carries two stoves.

Build a shared list

General backcountry gear

Kit we recommend for backcountry trips in general. This is not a checklist specific to Guadalupe Wilderness — the Guadalupe Mountains National Park rules for this permit are above.

🎒
Recommended
Wild Ideas

Bearikade Weekender

Ultralight carbon fiber bear canister. IGBC certified.

1 lb 15 ozultralightcarbon-fiber
$325
🎒
Recommended
Katadyn

BeFree 1L

Ultralight collapsible filter system.

2 ozultralightfast-flow
$44.95
🎒
Recommended
BearVault

BV500 Bear Vault

The most popular bear canister for Sierra backpacking. Fits 7 days of food.

2 lbs 9 oz7-day capacityapproved
$89.95
🎒
Recommended
Black Diamond

Distance Carbon Z

Lightweight folding carbon poles.

1 lb 1 ozcarbonfolding
$169.95
🎒
Recommended
Sawyer

Sawyer Squeeze

The most popular water filter for backpacking.

3 ozpopularreliable
$37.95

Gear Tips for Guadalupe Wilderness

💡 Pro Tips

  • •Weigh your pack before you go. A lighter pack makes for a happier hike.
  • •Rent expensive gear if you are trying a new activity for the first time.
  • •Test all new gear at home before hitting the trail.
  • •Check current regulations as some items may be required seasonally.

Affiliate Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. When you purchase gear through these links, PermitSnag earns a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely believe in. This helps us keep the lights on and continue building tools to help you get into the backcountry.