Over Christmas we headed out to Big Bend National Park in west Texas. Big Bend is a large park bordered by the Rio Grande River and Mexico on the south. The park contains numerous mountains and other peaks, none Rocky Mountain sized, but some higher than anything on the eastern side of the US (see Mount Mitchell (6684 feet, 2037 m)). Since it was technically winter (though 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit) it was a good time to hike in the park. Two hikes others may be interested in taking are the Emory Peak (7825 feet, 2385 m) trail and the South Rim trail. Depending on where you read about these hikes they are described as either moderate or strenuous. I lean toward moderate, since we saw people of all ages and fitness levels on the trails (though not all moving at the same pace) with a great deal of determination to complete the hikes. The easiest way to begin both hikes is at the Chisos Basin Visitors Center in Big Bend National Park. All the trails in the park are very well marked and well maintained. To get to Emory Peak, follow the Pinnacles Trail to the Emory Peak trail. Over the 5.1 miles (8.2 km) to the peak you will ascend approximately 2500 feet (762 m). The last 25 feet (8 m) to the top are a scramble up rocks. The climb does not require any rock climbing gear, but hikers should be very careful. The round trip should take 4-5 hours depending on how many stops you make. The South Rim hike is more of a loop. Again you can start at the Chisos Basin Visitors Center, take the Pinnacles Trail to Boot Canyon Trail to the South Rim Trail and return to the visitors center via the Laguna Meadows Trail. The signs state this is a 12.1 mile (19.5 km) loop, but we felt it was closer to 13 miles (20.9 km). Over the course of the loop hikers will ascend (and descend) 2000 feet (610 m). The map fragment shows highlights the Pinnacles and Emory Peak trails in purple and the South Rim loop in yellow.
A view from the top of Emory Peak.
The South Rim overlooking the Rio Grande River and Mexico.