Marufo Vega Trail

[Ray52]

Has anyone had any personal experience with this trail?  I'm planning my next two trips and this (Marufo vega) and the Smoky Creek trail both have possibilities for January 07.  My only info on either comes from Parent's book and the BIBE website which cautions of vehicle break-ins at the trailheads.  I hope not, but has that happened to any of you?

[Robert]

We did this as a day hike a couple of years ago (in January). It is an outstanding hike. I guess it took us around 7 hours. We did the loop portion south to north. The views along the river are some of the best scenery in the park. I read the concerns about the trailhead so made sure not to leave any valuables in the vehicle.

[TheWildWestGuy]

I did the Vega Trail as an overnighter and unless you get a early start I would recommend it as an overnighter with a campsite at the "Splitrock" on the South Fork.   There is a sign posted about break-in's at the trailhead but this area has no more (or less) trouble than most places within 10 miles of the boarder.  In other words its rare (maybe once a year) that a vehicle is broken into and usually it occurs because some dumb-a@@ has left valuables in plain sight.   I put a "Club" on my vehicle and left a note on the dashboard stating "Nothing of Value Left in Vehicle".  May not have had much impact but made me feel better.
Do this hike going Down the North Fork and up the South Fork.  There is a nice campsite on a flat ledge near the top of the climb out of the South Fork where a large boulder is split in half.   I filtered and drank water from the Rio Grande and found it to be cool, remarkably clear, and OK to drink in mass quantity when filtered.   Be careful not to miss the "Split" where the trails fork off and go left down the North Fork.  You will pass some rockshelters, sheer cliffs, and a few small tinajas that hold water after recent rains before making it to the river.  The trail follows the River to the South Fork where a short side-trail leads down ~1/2 mile to a big gravel bar covered with Mesquite tree's.  A very pleasent place to have a late lunch, cool off, filter water, and hang out.   After that climb up to the Splitrock campsite (about 1 hour uphill from the River) and make basecamp.  If you have time left you can always explore along the ridgeline without losing much altitude.  The hike out is very scenic and relatively flat with a few tinaja's in the upper part of the South Fork before you get back to the "Split" but the only reliable water is the Rio Grande unless its rained recently.   I would definately rather drink filtered water from the Rio than pack in the ~2 gals/person/day that you will need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning up.   The hike out the next day will only take 2-3 hours and you can add-on to it if you want and go up the Strawhouse Valley before returning to your vehicle.  ... TWWG

[Ray52]

Thanks guys for the info.  I've read Parent's book cover to cover and back again and this trail is really inviting. I'm tenatively planning it as a 2 day hike as I'm not sure my knee is up to that much distance in one day.  Things may change though as I'm working on a 10% weight reduction for both my belly and my pack.  Have either of you posted any pics of your hike?

[TheWildWestGuy]

I think I have some photo's of the Vega trail and Splitrock campsite in my photo album at MSN Groups - Big Bend Photo's site.  I think you have to join the group to see them but its free.  If  you have a slow dial-up modem it might take awhile to see them.  TWWG

[Ray52]

I'll be looking for them.  I have several on there too from my only trip to the park and hike to the Rim.

[brian67761]

I hiked the Marufo Vega trail in February 2003.  Here are some pics I took on that hike.

[presidio]

I hiked the Marufo Vega trail in February 2003.  Here are some pics I took on that hike.

Some of those are on the Old Ore Trail aren't they?

[brian67761]

Some of those are on the Old Ore Trail aren't they?

The Ore Terminal Trail and the Marufo Vega Trail begin at the same trailhead.  The tram tower in the first picture is near the location where the trails diverge.  The second picture is a view of Ernst Valley, looking north.  The rest of the pictures are in Boquillas Canyon.

[Vince T]

I did this trail in Feb. of 2003.  Loved it...different than any hike of done in the park.  There are some altitude changes...a decent climb once you get out of the creek bed, and then a decent descent (provided you take the North Fork) down to the river.  The sunset from the shelf down at the bottom of the North Fork is heavenly.

We went back the same way we came in...I have some great pictures from that trip, but they are on my other computer.

[CABO]

IS THIS HIKE DOABLE IN EARLY NOVEMBER?  LAST TIME I WAS THERE IT WAS LATE SEPTEMBER AND IT WAS WAY TOO HOT.

[TheWildWestGuy]

YES Cabo - early November will be anywhere between ~60-85 degree's but very do-able.  You can do this as a long dayhike or an overnight backpack trip.  There are some small tinaja's in the lower part of the North Fork that often hold water but the only reliable water is the Rio Grande or what you bring with you.   I have drank filtered Rio Grande water with no ill effects and recommend you bring a water filter just in case.  Ask at the PJ Visitor Center and they can give you a free small page-size map and description of the trail.  It's a great hike and if you do it as an overnighter you can take your time and not rush it.  If you do it as a long dayhike you need to start early and keep moving, kind of like doing the South Rim and back as a dayhike except in the case of the Vega Trail the trailhead is a significant distance from RGV and a ~hour trip from The Basin or other campsites.   The best route is Down the North Fork and Up the South Fork.   The best river access is from a big sandbar at the South Fork... TWWG

[Hiker79]

  The best route is Down the North Fork and Up the South Fork.  

Thanks for the reply. (I can't use my regular name for some reason)  We will be doing this as a day hike.  As long as the weather cooperates, we're not concerned about the distance as we have done the south rim 16+ miler easily in a day.  I'm curious (not that I doubt you) why the accepted route for most is outbound on the north fork and return on the south.  Maybe when we hike the trail I will understand, but my Falcon Guide has the reverse.  

[TheWildWestGuy]

Most people go down the North Fork and up the South Fork because:
1- the Splitrock campsite is near the ridgeline of the South Fork so most people doing it as an overnighter want to arrive at this location late in the afternoon with a full load of Rio Grande water.
2- the North Fork has some short steep sections and most people would rather go down a steep section than up it.   The South Fork has more switchbacks and is (in my opinion) a bit easier to climb if your carrying a heavy pack. 

Dayhikers without heavy packs can easily go either way so there is no real reason for you to go down the North Fork.  It's a great hike either way.  Just watch for the cutoff sign to the North Fork - I somehow managed to walk past it once without noticing... TWWG

[Hiker79]

Thanks!!