Texas $2,300 • January 31-February 5, 2028
In Southwest Texas along the boarder land with Mexico lies one of the most wild, beautiful and least visited National Parks in the USA. Big Bend National Park is the crown jewel of the Trans-Pecos region of West Texas and the largest tract of federal public land in the state. The national park lies within the greater UNESCO-Big Bend Biosphere Region which encompasses a 3 million acre piece of land in both the USA and Mexico. It is the largest chunk of protected Chihuahua Desert landscape in the US. The name “Big Bend” comes from a massive curve that the Rio Grande follows along its journey to the Gulf of Mexico. In the heart of the Park lies the Chisos Mountains. An extinct volcanic mountain range that forms a “sky island” rising proud out of the arid desert below. This dramatic elevation change results in higher amounts of moisture within the range allowing for different life zones to come forward. In the upper life zone of the Chisos ponderosa pine, douglas fir, aspen, and Mexican white pine exist. As elevation is lost juniper, pinyon pine, Texas madrone, and multiple oak species thrive. Eventually, as still more elevation is lost, the plant species of the Chihuahuan desert begin to appear. Ocotillo, agave, lechuguilla, candelilla, sotol, prickly pear cactus, and many more blanket the landscape. The geology within the Park is dynamic covering about 500 million years with rocks varying in consistency from sedimentary, to volcanic, to intrusive igneous origin. The cliffs along the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains (where we will be camping) foster some of the best views in the West! Wildlife is abundant and includes black bear, mountain lion, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, Sierra del Carmen white-tail deer, coyote, javelina, ringtails, road runners, rattlesnakes, both kit & gray foxes, and many more. The scenery is awesome, grand and unusual! This is a fairly strenuous trek in the largest national park in Texas. It is a real sky island desert adventure most of which is on a trail. Trip base: El Paso, Texas.
Our route will travel within the Chisos Mountains beginning at the Chisos Basin (5,400 feet). On day 1 we will backpack to our camp along the South Rim. This will be a layover camp, so we will be here for nights 1&2. Our layover day hike will be to the highest summit in the range called Emory Peak (7,825 feet). Day 3 we will begin to descend into the lower desert country via Juniper Canyon. This will be the start of the wilder stretch of the route along what is called the “outer loop”. For days 4-6 the trail winds through the rugged and beautiful Sierra Quemado, a sub-range of the Chisos Mountains, known for its unusual rock formations such as “Elaphant Tusk” and “Mules Ears”. The trip will end at the Mules Ears trailhead 3,200 feet elevation. This will be a point A to point B trek that will require a shuttle. The trip will be a water assisted trip in which water caches will be dropped along the way. Big Bend National Park is amazing, a bit of the Chihuahuan Desert in the USA!
TREK BASE:***IMPORTANT NOTE- we will be meeting all clients at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel (2027 Airway Blvd, El Paso, TX) at 3pm on January 30th and transporting everyone that afternoon (1 hour & 45min drive) to the El Capitan Hotel in Van Horn, Texas. Each participant on the trip must be ready to depart at 3pm! You will be responsible to book your own room reservations for the night of January 30th and February 5th at the Hotel El Capitan, 100 East Broadway, Van Horn, Texas 79855; (432) 283-1220. We will be arriving back in El Paso, TX on the morning of February 6th. Please call Big Wild Adventures for more information. 406-823-0337
MEETING TIME: Due to the longer drive time from the airport to the trailhead this orientation is unique in comparison to our other trips. We will plan to hold the pre-trip meeting at the El Capitan Hotel lobby. Time of the meeting TBD based on when we arrive.
TRANSPORTATION: We will be meeting/picking everyone up at the Wyndahm El Paso Airport Hotel and transporting the group to Big Bend NP, as well as back again once the trip is completed.
TREK RATING: This mid-altitude trek is rated as fairly strenuous. Much of the route is on-trail, with one stretch that follows a wash(arroyo) for several miles. The trails are rocky, uneven and in areas have thorny vegetation that must be avoided. In the lower elevations there is little shade, as we will be in a desert environment. We’ll cover 6-9 miles/day with one layover, and there will be a few ascending sections, so good cardio-vascular conditioning is welcomed! There will also be one long descending section. Total miles (not including day hikes): about 30-35.
ELEVATIONS: 3,200 to 7,500 feet with optional day hikes to higher summits. Maximum one-day elevation gain with backpacks on is roughly 2,000 feet, depending upon our exact route. The starting trailhead sits around 5,500 feet, gaining elevation to 7,500 feet, and then descending as the week progresses to the trailend at 3,200 feet.
WEATHER: Up high in the Chisos Mountain Range it can be quite windy. The temperatures will depend on what weather pattern has set in for that particular day. Typical or average weather in the Chisos mountains for early February can see highs in the mid 60’s, with lows in the mid 30’s. Although rare, winter weather patterns can track south and bring colder temps and even snow to the higher country. As the trip progresses we will be losing elevation and the temperature will increase. By the trip’s end we could see highs in the upper 70’s and even low 80’s. In the high country anything can happen, so we must be prepared. Rain gear and warm clothes are a must on any backpacking trip and this one is no exception. Don’t get fooled by the desert. If the weather deteriorates, you will want good gear. Click here for the National Weather Service forecast.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The Chisos Mountains are one of three sky island mountain ranges found in Texas. The volcanic range rises abruptly out of the surrounding Chihuahua Desert lowlands causing a dramatic shift in climate. Although in the heart of the Chihuahuan Desert, BBNP is home to the wild and beautiful Rio Grande, which cuts numerous breathtaking canyons through the regional bedrock. Along our route we will experience verdant pine/juniper/oak woodlands, desert grasslands, volcanic rims and cliffs, rocky summits, and lots of big vistas of the expansive Big Bend Biosphere Region. Bighorn sheep, black bear, white-tail deer, mountain lions, javelina and other wildlife abound. Utterly spectacular! 
SPECIAL TIPS: Being in good shape is a plus and traveling light (eliminate non-essential items) reduces excess weight to haul. Each person will have to carry 3-4 quarts of water each day on this trip. This is also black bear country, so leave all deodorants and other sweet smelly things behind. Sun exposure is high and humidity is low. Sunscreen, light fitting UV long sleeve desert clothes, a sun hat and two 32 ounce water bottles are needed.
STATUS: Big Bend National Park currently does not have any designated wilderness areas, however it is managed as such. Over 90% of the Park has been proposed for Wilderness designation, but has not gotten the official stamp from congress yet. The park currently manages that 90% to uphold its wild character.
ITINERARY: The drive from El Paso, TX to the trail head in the Chisos Basin is roughly 5 hours. Hence why we will be meeting the group at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel(3pm on January 30th) and transporting everyone to the El Capitan Hotel in Van Horn, Texas. This will knock off some drive time for day 1 of the trip and will allow us to get to the trailhead at a reasonable hour to begin the trek. We will be repeating this on day 6. Heading back to the Hotel El Capitan for the night of February 5th and planning to be back into El Paso, TX the following day, February 6th. Please Note: Because we vary the route as conditions dictate, mileages and elevations are approximate, subject to change based upon weather and other natural variables.
Book Your Trip! Space is limited! Have questions? Call (406) 823-0337
