South Rim and Backcountry Camping

[R.W. Brown]

I am a long time mostly lurker. I am planning a trip to Big Bend next week and I have a few dumb questions. A little back story first. When I was 21 in 1976 I did an overnight hike to the South Rim. I was young and dumb and very ill prepared and ill equipped. It almost killed me. I remember struggling and panting just a few miles in and old people, well seemed old to me at the time, would come speed walking by with a bottle of water in there hand. What seemed like 2 hours later they would come by again from the other way on the way back down, still not even out of breath. I swore then that when I was that age I wanted to be able to do that. I think that time is here. I have been getting in shape for a year now .... running 3 miles a day now. Which brings me to my Questions. First... what is the poop situation on the trails and back country camping? Are there outhouses on the  south Rim trail. In the back country do you bag or bury or what? I am also interested in back country sites that can be reached in a rental car and must see day hikes besides South Rim. Thanks in advance.

[dkerr24]

Welcome!  To answer your questions, there are a couple of composting toilets in the south rim high country.  If you pickup the map from the nps website for BIBE, it will show you the location of those latrines.  I know there is at least 3 of them in the high country.

As far as car accessible camping, I'll let experienced group members reply.  I've never ventured on the dirt roads any further than the Hot Springs along the river.  There are very few roads there I would take any rental car, but then I am probably overly cautious with vehicles.

[Lorax]

Welcome!  While there are composting toilets in the Chosis, in other backcountry areas human wastes must be buried.  A small trowel is handy for this task.  The paper used to clean up must be packed out; not buried, not burned.

As to car camping.  Most backcountry roads require high clearance vehicles.  A compact rental car can only go to a few spots.  Next week you should be able to find one of these but you can't be too picky.  With an SUV / PU you can visit most sites.  If you plan out your trip, you can stay at a developed campground at the beginning of your visit, then get a BC permit for the number of nights that you want for one fee, up to 14 nights.  Use Big Bend's web site  to find where you would like to stay and go into a Visitors Center with a list of first and second choices for sites. 

http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=bibe&parkname=Big%20Bend%20National%20Park



For example, if you arrive around 3 PM you can go to a VC and request a BC permit for the FOLLOWING night, then stay at the Basin CG.  Use your permit the next two night in the Chisos.  The fourth and fifth night drive to Candelilla or Gravel Pit to car camp; explore the Rio Grande Village area.  I like the Hot Springs Trail for the Daniels Ranch. Next drive the Ross Maxwell Science drive to Castolon.  Spend night six and seven in Ocotillo Grove or Rattle Snake Mountain.  The developed CG at Cottonwood is a lovely place to spend time.

[OldJeepr]

Rental cars are like company cars - they'll go anywhere and never need an oil change 

Seriously, if you have the option go for something with high clearance, not a sedan, and check the use restrictions carefully.

[steelfrog]

OK, so here's a potential trip for you to the rim:

Get into the park and get you a backcountry camping permit at Panther Junction or Basin ranger station for one of the SW rim campgrounds.  Park your car in the Basin.  Start heading up Laguna Meadows Trail--this time of year, you want to be on trail prolly no later than noonish.  Get up to your camp spot, and set up camp, etc.  Then go watch/photograph the fabulous sunsets from the SW rim.

Next morning, get up, pack up, head to the SE rim; drop your stuff at the intersection with Boot Canyon trail and head for an hour or so up the NE rim.  Then back, and down Boot Canyon; eventually you will reach the Emory Peak Spur; head up there, summit Emory, back down and then down Pinnacles Trail.

Poop wherever, just bring you a small trowel.  Do not bring TP--bring baby wipes, your butt will thank you.  Don't want swamp butt.  After you wipe, put them in a zip lock freezer bag.

Ta Daaaaa!  It will be awesome!

[RichardM]

OK, so here's a potential trip for you to the rim:

Get into the park and get you a backcountry camping permit at Panther Junction or Basin ranger station for one of the SW rim campgrounds.  Park your car in the Basin.  Start heading up Laguna Meadows Trail--this time of year, you want to be on trail prolly no later than noonish.  Get up to your camp spot, and set up camp, etc.  Then go watch/photograph the fabulous sunsets from the SW rim.

Next morning, get up, pack up, head to the SE rim; drop your stuff at the intersection with Boot Canyon trail and head for an hour or so up the NE rim.  Then back, and down Boot Canyon; eventually you will reach the Emory Peak Spur; head up there, summit Emory, back down and then down Pinnacles Trail.

Poop wherever, just bring you a small trowel.  Do not bring TP--bring baby wipes, your butt will thank you.  Don't want swamp butt.  After you wipe, put them in a zip lock freezer bag.

Ta Daaaaa!  It will be awesome!

You forgot to suggest watching the fabulous sunrises from the South Rim before breaking camp. And the night before, check out the view from the Rim by moonlight/starlight. These activities are easiest if staying at SW4 or SE1.

Check out http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/upload/Chisos_BCSites-2007.pdf
available on http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/bc-high_chisos.htm