first time hiker but set on Big Bend.. heading out april 18th for 3 d 2 n.

[cleaningcrue]

first time hiker.. curious as to which trail to start with.. south rim with emory peak or rancherias loop. we're heading out april 18 th.. for 3 days 2 nights. any help and info would be appreciated.

[jamesb]

these trails are in 2 seperate parks, When you say first time hiker, what exactly does that mean? Do you have any hiking experience at all , or is this just your first time to Big Bend? If its your first for both you need to start out with something much easier.

the rancherias loop in Big Bend Ranch State Park is 22 miles and more than likely shoud be done as an over night hike, and probablly should be done in the cooler months like November to Early March. Temps will start getting to over 100 degrees by Mid April

the South Rim and Emory Peak is roughly a 14 to 16 mile round trip depending on the route you take and is in Big Bend National park

James

[jeffblaylock]

If you're a first-time hiker, I'd recommend the South Rim trail. It is shorter and easier to follow. I have not hiked Rancherias, but I generally do not recommend long backcountry treks if you don't have experience hiking (and route finding) in the desert. I also echo jamesb's comments about the temperatures. April can get hot.

[russco]

If you hae never hiked before....be careful and don't get in over your head. Read disclaimer at top of web page!! Rancherias loop is rugged I think! Water water water. Are you a jogger or something? If not consider up to Emory Peak and back as a dayhike.

[RichardM]

These are two fairly different hikes.  The Rancherias Loop is more desert and can be somewhat difficult to follow, from what I've read.  It's also liable to be a scorcher in April.  The South Rim trail is much more established and incredibly easy to follow.  It can be done as a long day hike or as an overnight (or more) backpack, and since it's at a much higher elevation, temps will be more bearable.

[Mrscookie]

Rancherias Loop is a hike for EXPERIENCED desert hikers.   The recommended duration is 3 d, 2 n on trail.  It has been brushed out and new medallions have been added in the last couple of years, but is probably overgrown in places.  There are a couple of places to get water on the trail, but some people have trouble finding the water hole, so to be on the safe side, you must carry water with you.

Also the temps will be in the high 90's/low 100's with little to no shade.  This is a cool weather hike.  If you are a first time hiker, the South Rim would be much better, plus it would be cooler hiking.

Be careful

The Cookie Baker

[Robert]

An experienced friend of mine got lost on the Rancherias Loop. The trails are not that easy to follow in places (at least when I last hiked it). This could lead to a life threatening problem for many people. This isn't likely to happen in the Chisos trail system.

Did anyone mention it will be hot in the BBRSP with little shade on the route?

[cleaningcrue]

thanks for the help everyone.. i appreciate t he input. i think it's gonna be the south rim with emory peak at BBNP.  Is it possible so spend 3 d and 2 n on that hike or is it too short.   thanks, cleaningcrue

[RichardM]

thanks for the help everyone.. i appreciate t he input. i think it's gonna be the south rim with emory peak at BBNP.  Is it possible so spend 3 d and 2 n on that hike or is it too short.   thanks, cleaningcrue

Two nights works fine.  My choice would be to hike up the Pinnacles trail and camp the first night at either the Toll Mountain or Emory Peak site.  I'd climb Emory after setting up camp, possibly around sunset.  Next morning I'd probably be tempted to climb it again right before sunrise, but that may just be me.  Second night would be at SW4, hiking back out via the Laguna Meadows trail.  Both sunset and sunrise would be spent on the rim, naturally.  I also can't recommend enough checking out the view from the rim at night.  It's amazing how well the landscape is lit with a little moonlight or even just starlight.

[Texan4life]

The south rim is a good call for your first hike. For me the trail might be a little short for 3d 2n but thats me. Take your time... beleive me no matter how many days you spend out there you will always wish you had one more day....Have fun!!

thanks for the help everyone.. i appreciate t he input. i think it's gonna be the south rim with emory peak at BBNP.  Is it possible so spend 3 d and 2 n on that hike or is it too short.   thanks, cleaningcrue

[Roy]

Whoa, horse!!!
Go back and read russco's answer.  You seem to be assuming a lot that you really shouldn't.
Are you in any kind of shape?  or are you a couch potato?
Do you realize that a 3 day hike means carrying 20lbs of water per person (or more) maybe 10 lbs of food per person (or more)?
And carrying camping gear, etc.  Have you carried a 50-60 lb pack for any distance?  uphill?
Do you live on the coast at sea level?  we're not talking Mt. Everest here, but there's enough altitude gain that you WILL notice it.  Altitude sickness is no joke.
Do you have  decent hiking shoes?  Have you broken them in?  If the answer to either question is "No", you have a problem.
Plenty of other stuff I could mention.
You're not talking about trekking the Sahara or the Andes, but hiking the South Rim isn't just "a walk in the park".  More than one person has wound up flat on his/her a$$ while learning that.   

[cleaningcrue]

i'd say yes.. that we're both in good physical shape to do this.. when i'm at work i wear 50 pounds of bunker gear with a 27 lb. SCBA.. sometimes for 4 or 5 hours depending on how bad the fire is. that's with an axe or 23 lb. haligan bar in my hand, tearing down ceilings or walls looking for fire.  and the 600 degree temp. doesnt really help much.. my buddy and i both have some pretty good waterproof merrells that are broken in.. we've been on hunting trips with them quite a few times and they seem to do good. I can say that we're definitely not couch potatoes.  Hopefully the south rim will be a good choice for us. if anyone has any more advice then i'll be more than happy to listen... thanx.

[Al]

I think Roy was just trying to be helpful.  Sounds like you are plenty fit.  Do you have a military background?  Which is another way to ask: do you know what to bring if this is your first time backpacking in the desert for several days?

Al

[russco]

Ahhhell! Your firemen!......I was expecting petite frilly mexican ladies because of your on-line name! :rolling:Sorry! I know I know I was stereotyping....don't mean to start a firestorm here....petite frilly mexican ladies can hike good too! Anywho water water water is still the key to this trip! a gallon per day per person. I suggest that you get some good guides to the flora, fauna and geographics to be found in the region.....knowing what you are looking at makes the experience twice as nice. There is a Phamplet guided walk at Panther Junction and at the Lost Mine Trail that gives you a good look at some things that you will see while in the region and on the trail. Oh and eat at the Starlight (in Terlingua) and consume much beer upon your return to the Basin!

[cleaningcrue]

Yeah.. Cleaningcrue is my XBOX LIVE name.. it was easy to remember so i chose that. about the water.. if we take one dehydrated meal each, will we have enough water to make it through the trip? Or should we take a little more to compensate for that? Also what other kind of foods are good to take? We each have a little coleman duel fuel stove, so we can cook if we need to. I'm sure i'll think of some more questions.. Again thanks to everyone for all the help..