Quick trip in April

[Texan4life]

Apr 5th: Work until 4 or so and then head west. I'll have the truck ready to go and just have to pick up my wife and friends. Drive.... drive......drive. Arrive early morning on the 6th. Find my secret spot and park for the night.

Apr 6th: Wake up with the sun and make the drive to PJ. Next is up to the Basin to search out the perfect camping spot. Set up camp and relax that morning. Hike lost mine in the afternoon. Then some beer, bbq, and lots of stars.

Apr 7th: I'm undecided if we should hike south rim and hit emory peak also or if this is to much to fit into a day. But we are for sure doing at least Emory peak on that day.

Apr 8th: A day in the desert! Leave camp early and get out to the backroads by 8ish. Planning on driving to the mines and ernst tinaja and where ever else we want. Maybe head over to terlingua for dinner at the road runner cafe.

Apr 9th: Pack up camp and have breakfast at the lodge. Head for home  .

[Picacho]

If you are in reasonable shape, you can do the South Rim and Emory in a day hike.  Take at least a gallon of water.  

I met a guy from Seattle that said he highly recommended the Marufo Vega Trail over by Boquillas Canyon.  I haven't done it but it's on my list for next time.  

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[jeffblaylock]

Being on different roads, and not near each other, you may be hard-pressed to visit, and enjoy, Ernst Tinaja and the Mariscal Mine on the same day.  In my experience, it takes at least 2 hours to drive to the mine ruins from any direction. If you haven't explored Glenn Spring, then a loop from the east end of the River Road to the mine, backtrack a bit to Glenn Springs Road, and head up to the historic area is a nice tour. If there's still enough time in the day, you might be able to visit Pine Canyon.

Otherwise, the Old Ore Road makes for a nice day, too.

Another possibility to combine with Ernst Tinaja is the Ore Terminal. I've never hiked to it from ET, but it's part of that complex of trails out there.  It's about 8 miles roundtrip to the terminal from the Boquillas road. The ruins of the tramway lie near the trail, and the old ruin sits in the middle of a seldom visited valley with views of the Sierra del Carmen.

[Texan4life]

Another possibility to combine with Ernst Tinaja is the Ore Terminal. I've never hiked to it from ET, but it's part of that complex of trails out there.  It's about 8 miles roundtrip to the terminal from the Boquillas road. The ruins of the tramway lie near the trail, and the old ruin sits in the middle of a seldom visited valley with views of the Sierra del Carmen.

Good idea...didn't even remember that hike was down there.

[lighter fluid]

I met a guy from Seattle that said he highly recommended the Marufo Vega Trail over by Boquillas Canyon.  I haven't done it but it's on my list for next time.  

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I have done Marufo Vega as an overnighter. It is a great trail. Stunning views along the ridge above the river. The view of El Pico  and of the Deadhorse Mtns are awesome.It can be done as a dayhike but will be pretty strenuous. The descent to the river is best done from the South Fork in my opinion as I feel it is easier on the knees. The climb out via the North Fork is longer than expected an can be fairly steep at points.
Making it an overnighter and camping near the river in the Canyon is priceless.
Here is a link to a trip report: http://www.thehikersforum.com/marufo_vega.html

and here is a link to more pics:
Gallery: Marufo Vega Trail- Big Bend NP, TEXAS

[Ray52]

Nice pics and trip reports on your other forum Lighter Fluid.  I'm planning my fall/early winter trip for either Marufo Vega or the Outer Mtn Loop and your information will be very helpful.

[BigBendHiker]

Nice pictures and trip report.


BBH

[lighter fluid]

Thanks for the kind words, BigBendHiker. :D

And thanks to you as well, Ray52! I hope the info proves helpful. :D