guadalupe mountains national park

Add Salt Flat, Texas, and Carlsbad, New Mexico, to your weather app. In the parking lot, youll find restrooms and shaded picnic tables. Spend your second day in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park by hiking to the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak. It is a fabulous picnic lunch destination. In 1858, Pinery Station was constructed near Pine Springs for the Butterfield Overland Mail. Best Camping in and Near Guadalupe Mountains National Park John Muir reminds us: Keep close to Natures heart and break clear, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. We also have detailed guide on how to hike the McKittrick Canyon Trail to Pratt Cabin, the Grotto, and the Notch. Detected by studying rapidly spinning dead stars, these giant ripples of spacetime likely came from merging supermassive black holesand they may reveal clues about the nature of the universe. If you like hiking, youll love this park. The trails that lead to these campsites are challenging hiking trails and you will need to pack enough food and water for your trip. Hunter Peak, at 8,368 feet, is almost as high as Guadalupe Peak, so this is another tough day hike. From this road, you have access to many of the top sights in the park. From Van Horn, TX - travel north on US 54 and make a left-hand turn at the junction of US 62/180 to arrive at the park. CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK: Carlsbad Caverns sits right beside Guadalupe Mountains National Park. You should manually set your phone to Mountain Time while you're there since Texas cell towers may automatically change your phone to Central Time, which can be very disorienting. For more options, you'll have to find lodging in Carlsbad, New Mexico, about 50 minutes away from the park, or El Paso, Texas, about an hour and 45 minutes away. United States Department of the Interior. Williams Ranch is a remote ranch located in the southwestern part of the park. To a 5 year old, it is a HUGE deal. Are electric bikes the future of green transportation? The peak foliage typically takes place from mid-October to mid-November, but you can follow the annual report to find out exactly when and where to visit. Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Check out a gate key at the Pine Springs Visitor Center to access Williams Ranch, a 7.3-mile excursion along a four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, one-lane dirt road. This is another remote region of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Salt Basin Dunes | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. You'll need to get off the pavement and onto the trails to fully experience the breadth of Guadalupe's natural beauty. If you simply want to hike to Guadalupe Peak, to brag that you stood on the Top of Texas, one day is all you need in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. TownePlace by Marriott Carlsbad. This is one of the driest times to visit the park but you can have days with very high winds. We spoke to several park rangers, both at Pine Springs and Dog Canyon, and they all recommended Lost Peak as the top hike to do in this area. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an American national park in the Guadalupe Mountains, east of El Paso, Texas. is the lowest segment of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park (which also contains the highest point in Texas-USA). The Mescalero Apaches occupied the mountains through the mid-19th century, but were challenged by an American transportation route at the end of the American Civil War. Agave roasting pits and other artifacts of Mescalero culture can be found in the park. Camping is available at the Pine Springs campground and at Dog Canyon. Her culinary, wine, and travel photography adventures have led her across Peru from Cusco through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu; up the Canadian Icefields Parkway from Lake Louise to Banff and Jasper, indulging in Fairmont luxury hotels; and to the four largest islands of Hawaii. There are no service stations, convenience stores, or restaurants in the park, so be sure to gas up your vehicle beforehand and bring everything you need (Dell City is 45 miles west of the park and Whites City, New Mexico, is 35 miles east; both towns have gas stations and convenience stores). ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. In the afternoon, we hiked the McKittrick Nature Trail together, then visited the El Capitan Lookout for photos, and walked to Manzanita Spring from the Frijole Ranch. If you want to hike, its best to do it first thing in the morning, starting at sunrise or a little earlier. one of which can only be used by groups with horses. Carry a jack and a good spare tire for this hours drive. PRO TRAVEL TIP: Call and make a reservation in advance, especially if you will be visiting the area during peak season. park via steep switchbacks that zigzag up the mountains, where once-in-a-lifetime photo-ops await. We are planning a trip using your itinerary (backwards) in March 2023 (you do such a great job explaining places and have great ideas!). I would like to squeeze in two of the larger hikes in I think I should be in good enough shape to bear all of those miles. Hunter-gatherers followed large game and collected edible vegetation, as evidenced by the discovery of projectile points, baskets, pottery and rock art.[9]. This coincided with spring break. The Guadalupe Mountains (Spanish: Sierra de Guadalupe) are a mountain range located in West Texas and southeastern New Mexico.The range includes the highest summit in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 ft (2,667 m), and the "signature peak" of West Texas, El Capitan, both of which are located within Guadalupe Mountains National Park.The Guadalupe Mountains are bordered by the Pecos River valley and . However, the dunes in Guadalupe Mountains are smaller and covered with vegetation. The Guadalupe Mountains experience relatively hot summers, calm, mild autumn weather, and cool to cold weather in winter and early spring. You can click the check marks to hide or show layers. A standard vehicle is suitable if you plan to visit all areas of the park, including Dog Canyon and the Salt Basin Dunes. the land. The northwestern extension, bounded by a dramatic escarpment known as "The Rim", extends much further into New Mexico, approaching close to the Sacramento Mountains. Rd. Donations of ranchlands eventually gave impetus to the park. Mountains National Park. The first Europeans to arrive in the area were the Spanish in the 16th century, but they did not make serious attempts to settle in the area. Seeing El Capitan from the El Capital Lookout, Visiting Dog Canyon and hiking to Lost Peak. However, the Willow House in Terlingua looks so cool. There are RV campsites with hookups here. I liked Lost Peak more than hiking to the NotchI liked the views more and loved that fact that we were almost totally on our own. It is about a 3.5-hour drive between the two, and it would be sad to visit one . At about one mile into the hike, you reach the wash. For the next 0.75 miles, you hike/rock scramble up and over boulders of all sizes to get to the end of the canyon. Both the Apache and Europeans spun legends of fabulous caches of gold in these mountains. Follow Bush Mountain Trail to Manzanita Ridge, turn around where the trail drops steeply, and appreciate the view down West Dog Canyon. After a career in advertising and sales, Janie knows what makes compelling, substantial content. There is a $10 per person fee to enter the park. Towns around the park are few and far between; the closest is Dell City to the west, where my husbands grandfather lived. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the world's premier example of a fossil reef from. The Butterfield Overland mail route from St. Louis to San Francisco established a station at Pine Spring, constructed in 1853. One of the countrys least-visited national parks, the highly remote Guadalupe Mountains National Park in western Texas combines otherworldly mountain wilderness with rugged desert terrain, making for a truly breathtaking Southwest getaway. From the highway, the mountains resemble a nearly monolithic wall through the desert. Frijole Ranch | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. McKittrick Canyon Trailhead | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, McKittrick Canyon Trail | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Pratt Cabin | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Distance: 7.25 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Easy to Moderate | Total Ascent: 820 feet | Time: 2 to 5 hours. From dehumidifiers to electrolyte water, heres what you need to know to protect yourself from deadly heat. From the top of the peak, enjoy the view. This trail is flat and sandy. Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Tuesday, October 29, 1991 91-589 - Guadalupe Mountains (Texas) - Successful Search 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. There is no road through the park from Pine Springs. Learn more here. The cabin was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Justine Harrington is a TripSavvy writer based in Austin, Texas, where she covers topics spanning travel, food & drink, lifestyle, culture, social advocacy, and the outdoors. Spring or fall are the best time to visit for comfortable weather, but weekends can get busy (especially in the fall). The Permian Reef Trail is more challenging, since it climbs higher than the Notch, but the distance is about the same. NPF funded research is helping track great white sharks, protecting the species, and enabling public safety officials to use science to educate the public on the risk of recreating in the waters off Cape Cod National Seashore. This is a smaller, more vegetated version of White Sand Dunes National Park. Comparing notes and photos, Tim and I agree that the Permian Reef Trail is better than hiking the McKittrick Canyon Trail to the Notch. Our Relationship with the National Park Service. So, if you are trying to choose between the two, and you are looking for a trail with solitude and outstanding views, go for the Permian Reef Trail. The Grotto features an exposed cave with stone picnic tables near the Hunter Line Shack. You can hike Marcus Overlook, a moderate trail of 4.5 miles. If you have an America the Beautiful Pass, Senior Pass, or Military Pass, you do not have to pay the entrance fee; display the pass on your dashboard. Hike McKittrick Canyon Nature Loop Trail in the fall to see the enhanced fall colors. Guadalupe Mountains National Park Is Great For. The Guadalupe Mountains are part of the geological area known as the Permian Basin, containing sedimentary rocks that are Permian in age. But if you want to thoroughly explore the different regions of the park, then plan on spending at least three days here. This loop trail briefly heads uphill for great views over McKittrick Canyon and to the Permian Reef. Indian Meadow Nature Trail is an easy 0.6-mile trail that takes 30 to 45 minutes. Camping in the park is on a first-come, first-serve basis; reservations are only taken in advance for group campgrounds. The Salt Basin Dunes are gypsum dunes, similar to those at White Sands National Park. Yellow Brix Restaurant. Guadalupe Mountains National Park contains the southernmost, highest part of the 40-mile-long Guadalupe range. As the range is built up almost entirely of limestone, upland areas have little or no surface water. The Notch | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, McKittrick Canyon from the Notch | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Nights are cool, even in summer. To help you narrow it down, here are our six favorite experiences: How many days to you need in Guadalupe Mountains National Park? That same vanished sea spawned the honeycomb of the Carlsbad Caverns. Her latest adventure was a Viking Cruise to the Norwegian Homelands. Pro Tips: View the live webcams that update every 30 seconds at Pine Springs, El Capitan, and Dell City. The trail to the summit of Guadalupe Peak is a rewarding, and very strenuous, 8.5 mile round trip hike with a 3,000 foot elevation gain. This is a tough hike but the views from the to. Colossal gravitational waves found for the first time. This moderate to strenuous trail takes five to six hours at 6.4 miles to Lost Peak and back. The views are better, the trail is more fun to hike, and there are far fewer people. There are more than 80 miles of trails in Guadalupe Mountains, ranging in difficulty from easy to strenuous. In 1908 Williams Ranch House was built, and it was named after one of its inhabitants, James Adolphus Williams. Its a tough hike to get up here, but on the way, you hike through a mini slot canyon and past unique rock formations. Sign up to receive the latest NPF news, information, and ideas. 137, about 105 miles total from Pine Springs. During our second visit, the restaurants were turning people away or offering wait times of an hour or more. McKittrick Canyon is thought to be named after him. National Park Service. For Dog Canyon, either hike 12 miles from Pine Springs Campground or drive north on US 62/180, then west on Cty. There is a campsite here as well as a few hiking trails. For information about the park, visit the National Park Service website for Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Explore deserts and dunes, canyons and mountains, diverse flora and fauna, and much more at Guadalupe Because of the park's remoteness, Guadalupe Mountains is a place to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors. A monument marks the trail leading to rock ruins. Then begin climbing up toward Lost Peak and gain 1,540 feet in elevation. To visit a wilder, more isolated area, where trails take you quickly into the high country, drive about 2.5 hours to reenter the park at Dog Canyon in the north. These mountains get their name from the Guadalupian series (once called the Middle Permian) in the Permian period. The Ultimate 3 Day Guadalupe Mountains & Carlsbad Caverns National Park McKittrick Canyon Trail beyond Pratt Cabin, The Grotto | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Distance: 9.8 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous | Total Ascent: 1,675 feet | Time: 4 to 6 hours. Wear hiking boots, and remember that no pets are allowed on the hiking trails. For more information about the best times to visit the national parks, check out our Best National Parks Month-by-Month Guide. From Highway 62, turn right on FM road 1576 and take this for 17 miles. Guadalupe Mountains National Park: The Complete Guide - TripSavvy Things to Do in and around Pine Springs Visitor Center, Hike to Guadalupe Peak, aka the Top of Texas, For full details on how to hike to Pratt Cabin, the Grotto, and the Notch, take a look at our, The Permian Reef Trail, the Most Underrated Trail in Guadalupe Mountains, Get updates on road conditions and trail closures, as you plan your trip and just before your visit, on the, Read all of our articles about the United States in our. This is another popular hiking destination and trails to Pratt Cabin, the Grotto, the Notch, and the Permian Reef Trail all start here. Hikers must be extra-mindful of the sun here; the heat can get intense, particularly if theres no shade on the trail. The road ends at the parking lot. [18], The range contains many large cave systems, including Carlsbad Caverns and Lechuguilla Cave. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park - 2023 (with Photos) - Tripadvisor Guadalupe Mountains National Park Hotels Things to Do Flights Travel Stories Cruises Rental Cars United States Texas (TX) Guadalupe Mountains National Park Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park However, Tim liked the Permian Trail more than Lost Peak. We hiked through the brush to the peak, doing our best to keep our feet on the rocks so that we would not trample the plants. The park elevation at 6,300 feet offers cooler weather than Pine Springs. Birds are found in the park throughout the entire year, but the types of birds you'll see vary from season to season. Distance: 0.9 miles round-trip | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 30 minutes. 400 Pine Canyon We knew very little about the Permian Reef Trail before coming to Guadalupe Mountains. I had the Green Chili Fettuccini and it was delicious. [20], Mammals that inhabit this national park include elk, javelina, gray fox, American black bear, coyote, bobcat, striped and hog-nosed skunk, badger, sixteen species of bat, mule deer, and mountain lion. beauty, winding trails through serene forests, captivating local history, and the worlds most extensive Permian To cover as much ground as possible, Tim and I split up. National Park Texas Info Alerts 3 Maps Calendar Fees NPS.gov Park Home Plan Your Visit Plan Your Visit Last updated: February 22, 2023 Was this page helpful? This hotel serves excellent pasta dishes. This is a fun hikeif you like rock scrambling. The entrance fee is good for 7 days. The final 0.25 miles up to the Notch is the most challenging. Small creek beds can quickly become raging rivers, even when it isnt raining where you are. The Gypsum sand dunes lie on the west side of the park near Dell City. Because of extreme drought and fire danger conditions, you can only smoke inside enclosed vehicles, and open fires are always prohibited. Elevations at the base of the range vary from 4,000 feet (1,200m) above sea level on the western side to 5,000 feet (1,500m) on the east. Geography and Map of the Park There are several areas of Guadalupe Mountains National Park, which are labeled on the map below. That being said, how were the temperatures/weather? 19 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Texas | PlanetWare Have questions about the National Park Foundation? El Capitan Lookout | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Closer view of El Capitan | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Wikipedia The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is the world's best example of a Permian-era fossil reef. Devils Hall Trail | Best Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. If you don't pass a visitor center to pay, there are envelopes at all of the trailheads to leave your payment. The only significant surface water is McKittrick Creek, in McKittrick Canyon, which emerges from the eastern side of the massif, just south of the New Mexico border. RV Camping in Guadalupe Mountains National Park This new property is located on the southern end of Carlsbad, making it faster to drive to Guadalupe Mountains and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. In the remainder of the park, we had poor or no cellular service (we use Verizon). Finally, alpine areas more than 7,000ft (2,100m) above sea level contain forests of ponderosa pine, Arizona pine, southwestern white pine, Rocky Mountain Douglas-fir, alligator juniper, and small stands of quaking aspen. Carlsbad Caverns, which is located just over the border in New Mexico, is also located within the Guadalupe Mountains. In 2022, 220,000 people visited the park, making Guadalupe Mountains National Park the 13th least visited park that year. You can also learn more about the national parks (and get the full list) in our Guide to the US National Parks. Looming high in a remote part of West Texas off Highway 62/180, the Guadalupe Mountains are a geological phenomenon straddling the TexasNew Mexico border. In the 1960s, Pratt donated his land to the National Park Service, which helped create the national park. I am planning a 50 day road trip this summer, and this area is on my list. 5 Things to Do at Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Adventures of A+K Rain chances are slightly higher in the fall than in the spring. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located in Far West Texas on U.S. Highway 62/180. Distance: 5.2 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Total Ascent: 825 feet | Time: 2 to 5 hours. Best Trails in Guadalupe Mountains National Park Most people hike up the Bear Canyon Trail to the Bowl Trail and then hike down the Tejas Trail. Bring paper maps of the state and the park. Guadalupe Mountains National Parks Conservation Association Guadalupe Mountains National Park is an American national park in the Guadalupe Mountains, east of El Paso, Texas. region. This national park preserves a portion of the Guadalupe Mountains. We encourage visitors to think twice before bringing their dog to the park. Location: Western Texas Established: September 30, 1972 Size: 86,367 acres (ranks 42 out of 63 national parks) Annual Visitors: 219,987 (ranks 51 out of 63 national parks). Why did these shark hunters bury their dead with extra limbs? From farm to fork in Fresno County, California, Where to find the best Nashville hot chicken, Before you go hiking, read life-saving tips from first responders, How to go gorilla hiking in Uganda on a budget, Jewel of the Balkans: 6 unmissable adventures in Herzegovina, Photograph by Witold Skrypczak/Getty Images. During the 1840s and 1850s, many immigrants travelled west crossed the area. 915-828-3251 The driving route is on our map above. Come experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other. 9 Best Hikes in Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Lone Star Travel Guide Snow storms, sleet storms, freezing rain, or fog may occur in winter or early spring. Keep an eye out for flash floods. The great outdoors. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. Science can explain why. There is a long list of hikes to do in this park and several that start in McKittrick Canyon. McKittrick Canyon or Lost Peak? Distance: 8.4 miles out-and-back | Difficulty: Strenuous | Total Ascent: 3,000 feet | Time: 4 to 8 hours. A public corral for livestock is available by reservation. Frijole Ranch was the first permanent ranch house, constructed in 1876 by the Rader brothers. trails winding from woodland canyons to lush springs. [6][7] The International Commission on Stratigraphy estimates the mountain range's age at 272260 Mya. Backpacking in the Guadalupe Mountains requires some planning beforehand. To get here, you will drive on a very rough gravel road. Early hunter-gathering The Guadalupe Peak Trail winds through pinyon pine and Douglas-fir forests as it ascends over 3,000 feet (910m) to the summit of Guadalupe Peak, with views of El Capitan and the Chihuahuan Desert. The Permian Reef Trail heads up onto Wilderness Ridge, the massive ridge that looms over McKittrick Canyon. It sits outside of Carlsbad, so if you have plans to go to dinner in town, you will have a 10 to 15 minute drive, but staying here shortens your drive to the parks. Water is available at trailheads and visitor centers, but you should bring your own as well. Geologist Wallace Pratt bought this ranch property and built this stone cabin in the early 1930s. Judge J.C. Hunter from Van Horn, Texas consolidated most of the smaller ranches in the area into the Guadalupe Mountain Ranch. Pro Tip: Be sure to check the park website for any alerts, especially hazardous weather. Frijole Ranch, located off U.S. Highway 62, near Pine Springs, opened in 1992 as a ranching museum listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. This is one of the shortest hikes to do in McKittrick Canyon. Continuing on from the half-mile of paved trail to Manzanita Spring, a more rugged dirt-surface trail makes its way for 2.3 miles (round trip) along the Smith Springs Trail Loop. In geologic time, the Permian period was part of the Paleozoic Era and it began 298.9 million years ago and ended 252.2 million years ago. In late October to mid-November, changing leaves provide splashes of red, yellow, and burgundy. Shop and pick up camping items, brochures, books, and maps at the park store. Miles (RT): 8.5 Elevation gain: 3,000 ft Time to complete: 6-8 hours If you only have time for one thing at Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you MUST hike to the top of Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas at 8,751 feet.Not only is it pretty cool to say you've been to the top of Texas, but the hike itself is really beautiful! The Spanish introduced horses; nomadic indigenous tribes like the Apaches soon found them an asset for hunting and migrating. How Many Days Do You Need in Guadalupe Mountains National Park? Guadalupe Mountains National Park GETTING HERE FROM DOG CANYON: From Dog Canyon, you will drive on some very remote unpaved roads, but it is a lot quicker to go this way than heading to Carlsbad and driving US Highway 62/180 to get here. Plan Your Visit - Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Let altitude change your attitude. We loved the remote feel of this part of the park. You will have a little more driving to do if you stay in Terlingua than Chisos Basin, but you will have more restaurants to choose from for dinner and potentially better internet connectivity, if that matters. Gypsum grains form the bright-white dunes covering more than 2,000 acres and range from three feet high to more than sixty feet. And as an aside, EarthTrekkers has been such a huge help in planning my roadtrip. Since the Salt Basin Dunes sit at a lower elevation than the rest of the park, it will most likely be warmer here than at Pine Springs or McKittrick Canyon. Pro Tip: Talk to the park rangers about backcountry conditions and trail recommendations. WINTER: In the winter, temperatures are cool, usually sitting in the 50s during the day. 46. If you're hiking or backpacking, the National Park Service recommends packing four quarts of water per person per day. From the Tejas Trail, look to the right and you should be able to see the top of Lost Peak. Julie Last updated: June 18, 2023 United States 6 Comments. We did not have cellular service in and around the sand dunes. Here is our 3-day itinerary for Guadalupe Mountains National Park: Day 1: I hiked the McKittrick Canyon Trail to the Notch while Tim hiked the Permian Reef Trail. Weather - Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) Guadalupe Mountains National Park Texas Info Alerts 4 Maps Calendar Fees Alerts In Effect Danger High Wind Risk During the windy season (November through March, annually) the park often experiences high wind speeds (above 45MPH) and dangerous gusts (50MPH to above 80MPH). Much of the range is built from the ancient Capitn Reef, formed at the margins of a shallow sea during the Permian Period. I have two full days to spend between Carlsbad Caverns and Gaudalupe Mountains. Distance: 9.9 mile loop | Difficulty: Strenuous | Total Ascent: 2,900 feet | Time: 5 to 8 hours. There are also signs along the trail identifying local plants. Required fields are marked *. Things to Do in Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Tripadvisor A backcountry permit is required to camp at these five designated campsites with tent pads, located 3.1 miles from Pine Springs and one mile below the summit. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas - Recreation.gov Day Hikes - Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) To get around Guadalupe Mountains National Park, you will need a car. [13] The northeastern extension ends about 10 miles (16km) southwest of Carlsbad, near Carlsbad Caverns National Park; the southwest tip ends with El Capitan about 90 miles (140km) east of El Paso. Whites City, the gateway to Carlsbad Caverns, is across the state line in New Mexico, 35 miles east of the park entrance. If your visit is part of a bigger road trip through New Mexico and Texas, here is more information to help you plan your trip: HIKES IN GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS: Learn how to hike to the Top of Texas our guide to Guadalupe Peak. The range is bordered on the north by Four Mile Canyon; on the east by the valley of the Pecos River; and on the west by Pion Creek, Big Dog Canyon, Valley Canyon, Middle Dog Canyon and West Dog Canyon.

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