HIKING TRAILS
Mesa de Anguila -- 14 miles round-trip
This all-day hike leaves directly from Lajitas Resort. The first hour is a strenuous climb through the "saddle" but once on top, you will have a beautiful view of the mountains of Mexico and the river meandering far below as you gaze into Santa Elena Canyon. Enjoy time relaxing at Tinaja Blanco. The trail is moderately difficult, and has an elevation gain of 1000 feet. The Mesa de Anguila hike is 14 miles round-trip.
Comanche Creek -- 3 mile
The easy 3 mile Comanche Creek Hike leaves directly from Lajitas Resort and travels solely via creek bed; requiring heavy soled shoes. Most of the fossils found in this area are small clam shells and ammonites dating back 35 million years. The hike includes a visit to an old candelilla wax factory, a homestead ruin dating back to the late 1900's, and an Indian pictograph. The Comanche Creek hike is 3 miles roundtrip.
Terlingua Creek -- 13 mile
The easy Terlingua Creek hike begins where Terlingua Creek and Alamo Creek converge. The fossils in this beautiful region include giant clam, oyster shell, ammonites, hermites, and many other shellfish. The rocks vary from fluorite crystals to petrified wood. The length of the Terlingua Creek hike depends primarily upon the amount of time taken in rock-hounding. The trek to the fossil area is very easy, but traverses the creek bed that is filled with many rocks. Good walking shoes and a canteen for water are recommended. We will visit an ammonite graveyard on the banks overlooking Terlingua Creek.
Indian Head –- 3 mile round-trip
The easy Indian Head hike starts in Study Butte and is three miles round trip. The name comes from the Indian rock dwellings, metates, and pictographs and Petroglyphs that are found in the area. A natural spring runs year round. Rock formations created by wind and weathering are quite spectacular as are the views of the Chisos Mountains.
Window Trail -- 5.6 mile
The 5.6 mile Window Trail hike is located in the Chisos Mountain Basin of Big Bend National Park. The hike is medium level difficulty because is descends 800 feet in elevation and returns using the same path. On the way down to the Window, you will pass through an area of open chaparral vegetation and traverse through beautiful Oak Creek Canyon with its small tinajas, where deer can often be seen watering and feeding. At the Window, the canyon narrows to only 20 feet with a panoramic view of the desert below.
Lost Mine Trail -- 4.8 mile
The 4.8 mile Lost Mine Trail hike is located in the Chisos Mountain Basin of Big Bend National Park, and serves as an excellent introduction to the plants and animals of the high Chisos Mountains. The hike starts at an elevation of 5600 feet, and ascends along the north slope of Casa Grande Peak to the summit with spectacular views at an elevation of 6850 feet. The Lost Mine Trail hike is a moderate, but steep trip, and takes approximately 5 to 6 hours plus drive time.
Cat Tail Falls -- 3 mile
The easy 3 mile Cat Tail Falls hike starts from a spur road off the Ross Maxwell Scenic drive at the base of the Chisos Mountains in the Big Bend National Park. Cat Tail Falls has water year round and is a unique and fragile eco system abundant in trees, ferns, cattails, spring and summer flowers. This is one of the few places to see long stemmed Yellow Columbine in the Big Bend. Butterflies and birds abound in this lush, quiet desert oasis.
Emory Peak -- 9 miles
The 9 miles Emory Peak hike starts in the Chisos Mountain Basin of Big Bend National Park and is one of the most difficult hikes. Emory Peak is the highest peak of Big Bend, reaching an elevation of 7853 feet. The climb up Pinnacle and Spur Trails is steep to the summit, with the last 15 feet requiring some rock scrambling. The superb view reaches deep into Mexico with the Sierra del Carmens and El Pico highly prominent. This hike is not for the faint of heart.
South Rim Loop -- 14.5 mile
This 14.5 mile difficult hike starts from the Chisos Mountain Basin in Big Bend National Park and is strenuous. It starts by climbing through Boulder Meadow at the base of Toll Mountain. Beyond Boulder Meadow the trail climbs a series of steep switchbacks through spires of rhyolite to an elevation of 7100 feet at Pinnacles Pass. The South Rim can be reached by taking the East rim trail or via a shorter route following the Boot Canyon Trail with excellent views of the "Boot". The South Rim is located on the southwestern edge of the high Chisos Mountains. From the rim, 2500 feet above the desert floor, you can see Santa Elena Canyon 20 miles to the west and on a clear day you can see the peaks south in Mexico that are more than 80 airline miles away. The trip then goes through Laguna Meadow, an ancient marshy area where Indians once camped.
GUIDED HIKING TRIPS
Red Rock Outfitters can arrange guided hiking tours for you on any of the above mentioned trails. Visit waterfalls, springs, Indian camps and old homesteads. Hike through narrow canyons or climb tall mountains. We offer a variety of hiking trips; including half day, one day, and overnight backpacking trips to some very unique, special places. Get an up close and personal view of the beautiful Big Bend. Prices range from $75.00 per person for ½ day hikes, to $125.00 per person for all days hikes and $285.00 per person for overnight hikes. Rates are subject to availability and need to be set-up in advance.
In addition to the above hikes, the Big Bend has many un-guided trails for every skill of hiker. For more information on hiking trails in the Big Bend click here.
