Emory Peak: how long is the hike?

[mrlukeplease]

Staying at the Chisos lodge overnight, plan on hiking the Emory trail and returning the same day, then driving up to Ft Davis.

I've never been west of Weatherford, BTW, so I have no idea.

[jeffblaylock]

Emory Peak is about 9 miles round-trip with a 2,425-foot elevation gain. The last mile or so is quite steep, gaining over 800 feet. The last 40 feet or so is a scramble up an exposed rockpile with no obvious way up or down (stay to the right).

[Casa Grande]

In regards to time, of course it depends on a variety of factors, not the least of which is your stamina, but I'd say you'd be up and down in 5 or 6 hours.

[dkerr24]

Welcome to the site, Mrluke!  Hiking from the Chisos Lodge to the top of Emory Peak is a pretty good day, hiking/climbing wise.  Not sure of your training/ability so please don't take offense if this seems like basic advice ... You'll take the Pinnacles trail up to the crest between Toll Mountain and Emory.  Emory peak trail is a spur off of the Pinnacles trail. 

Take plenty of rest stops - at least once per hour, try to elevate your legs above your torso when resting to help rid your muscles of lactic acid, and bring along about 1.5 gals of water.  Plenty of salty snacks are a good idea if you're doing this hike during warm weather.

[mrlukeplease]

Thanks for the info, everyone.

Is there a sports bar at the peak, or a souvenir stand? I would like a T-shirt or at least a plate of Cardiac Fries and a fruit smoothie to commemorate the occasion.









Just kidding, of course. One of the reasons I am planning this trip is the realization I had, about a month ago, that my 16-year-old kid has never been more than 10 miles from the nearest Wal-Mart or 20 feet from a paved road. That's not how I grew up. He is in for a big surprise, and I hope a pleasant one, when we visit Big Bend.

(--we're both in pretty good shape, in answer to the obvious question here. Just not accustomed to natural surroundings.)

[dkerr24]

The Chisos Lodge has a decent restaurant, highly recommend the Chisos cheeseburger.  Gift shop is directly adjacent to the restaurant.  The dining area has an awesome view of the sunsets.

[SHANEA]

The Chisos Lodge has a decent restaurant, highly recommend the Chisos cheeseburger.  Gift shop is directly adjacent to the restaurant.  The dining area has an awesome view of the sunsets.

Jeff and I ate at the Chisos/Basin restaurant during our last "drop everything" trip and the food was outstanding.  Very very much improved over years past.  I believe everyone had the steak that was really good.  The salad bar is also outstanding.  They have a good selection of beer, no Fat Tire any longer - distributer couldn't afford the gas to deliver it there,   and they have a good list of wines from the area.  I highly recommend the Chisos Basin restaurant.

Since Forever Resorts was re-awarded the contract for Big Bend, they will be doing major upgrades to the restaurant and lodging - no more Mission 66 furniture...    I believe they will also be having an outdoor food area at the basin restaurant. 

Now, if they would just add some showers for weary, tired, dirty campers, backpackers, hikers, etc.  Either in the basin or at PJ.  Just install military type showers - something to knock the dust off with.

[badknees]

The Chisos Lodge has a decent restaurant, highly recommend the Chisos cheeseburger.  Gift shop is directly adjacent to the restaurant.  The dining area has an awesome view of the sunsets.

Jeff and I ate at the Chisos/Basin restaurant during our last "drop everything" trip and the food was outstanding.  Very very much improved over years past.  I believe everyone had the steak that was really good.  The salad bar is also outstanding.  They have a good selection of beer, no Fat Tire any longer - distributer couldn't afford the gas to deliver it there,   and they have a good list of wines from the area.  I highly recommend the Chisos Basin restaurant.

Since Forever Resorts was re-awarded the contract for Big Bend, they will be doing major upgrades to the restaurant and lodging - no more Mission 66 furniture...    I believe they will also be having an outdoor food area at the basin restaurant. 

Now, if they would just add some showers for weary, tired, dirty campers, backpackers, hikers, etc.  Either in the basin or at PJ.  Just install military type showers - something to knock the dust off with.

I believe there is some discussion about renovating the gas station at PJ and talk of having showers. There isn't enough water for the Basin, but apparently the wells that supply PJ area could also support showers.

Sure would save a lot of gas money , which could be used at ?STARBUCKS??

[SHANEA]

The Chisos Lodge has a decent restaurant, highly recommend the Chisos cheeseburger.  Gift shop is directly adjacent to the restaurant.  The dining area has an awesome view of the sunsets.

Jeff and I ate at the Chisos/Basin restaurant during our last "drop everything" trip and the food was outstanding.  Very very much improved over years past.  I believe everyone had the steak that was really good.  The salad bar is also outstanding.  They have a good selection of beer, no Fat Tire any longer - distributer couldn't afford the gas to deliver it there,   and they have a good list of wines from the area.  I highly recommend the Chisos Basin restaurant.

Since Forever Resorts was re-awarded the contract for Big Bend, they will be doing major upgrades to the restaurant and lodging - no more Mission 66 furniture...    I believe they will also be having an outdoor food area at the basin restaurant. 

Now, if they would just add some showers for weary, tired, dirty campers, backpackers, hikers, etc.  Either in the basin or at PJ.  Just install military type showers - something to knock the dust off with.

I believe there is some discussion about renovating the gas station at PJ and talk of having showers. There isn't enough water for the Basin, but apparently the wells that supply PJ area could also support showers.

Sure would save a lot of gas money , which could be used at ?STARBUCKS??

Actually,  , but what the hay,  - I've been told that there is more than enough water at the basin - and - if it was done right - there would be more than enough water to go around.  I'd offer the suggestion #1 that during the rennovations of the Basin rooms, rip out the bathtubs - huge waste of water - and install low pressure shower heads and make them "forced" military showers - ie. have a button or handle that must be pressed or turned turned to start the flow of water - either so it runs for 30 seconds or must be held constantly "a deadman switch/bar" that is used on railroads and subways.  Prevent long soaking showers.  Obviously, install the same in the basin or PJ, I don't care which.  In many respects, PJ would be much much better as it is "more centrally" located and would be accessible to  visitors as they are departing.  I'd really have like to have taken a quick shower when Jeff and I were leaving BIBE for home after the most recent "drop everything trip" - but it certainly wasn't worth driving to RGV.  If I had of had a TPWD Park Pass, we might have stopped at South Llano river for a quick shower since the daily admission is free for everyone in the vehicle with the TPWD State Park Pass

But, is it "right" and it's certainly not "good" in the conservation sense,  that campers are expected to adhere to the x gallons per day rule in the park, but obviously someone taking a shower/bath in their room is going to consume much more.  Also, there is more to the equation than just water - there is the "gray water" "sewage" issue of showers/baths and of course the electricity/gas/propane to warm a shower.  I'd also have the showers set to a set "moderate" degree to encourage haste.  Furthermore, I'd go a couple of steps further:one step further
1.  Use the European design of heating showers so that they are heated at the shower head electrically - negating the need for inefficient water heaters.  (I'm looking at installing these in my house and getting rid of the water heater all together - or at least downsizing for the dish water and washing machine...)  I do wish the US would go to "forced" electrical conservation by having differing rates for times of the day.  My work mate in the UK is "forced by economics" of doing all of the heavy electrical stuff late at night - much lower rates in the wee hours as opposed during peak demand.  Also, can conserve energy by having electrical switches that are actually "fully turned off" when not in use. The electric meter is setup to keep track of "demand" during the 24 hours of a day and it is priced accordingly.
2.  Does the NPS have any type of a containment/catchment system for catching the rain/snow run off from the parking lots and buildings.  This of course could be done at PJ too.  This water could be "moderately treated" as necessary for showering/bath usage.  Plus, it could be used to store water for fire fighting, etc. 


BTW - getting back on topic here, there is a post here about the Emory Peak trail realingment which will make the hike longer in distance, but less of a grade.  I think it is supposed to be open in 2010.   

[lighter fluid]

mrlukeplease,
I hiked/climbed Emory Peak this past weekend.
Here is a link to my trip report that will show you pictures of my route up the summit block.
http://www.thehikersforum.com/trip/view_trip.php?tripid=285&mode=view

If you have experience climbing this shouldn't be a difficult climb at all.
There is exposure as Jeff stated, so it will simply be a matter of your comfort level with that.
I hope you and your kid have a great trip!

[presidio]

Actually,  , but what the hay,  - I've been told that there is more than enough water at the basin - and - if it was done right - there would be more than enough water to go around.  I'd offer the suggestion #1 that during the rennovations of the Basin rooms, rip out the bathtubs - huge waste of water - and install low pressure shower heads and make them "forced" military showers - ie. have a button or handle that must be pressed or turned turned to start the flow of water - either so it runs for 30 seconds or must be held constantly "a deadman switch/bar" that is used on railroads and subways.  Prevent long soaking showers.

But, is it "right" and it's certainly not "good" in the conservation sense,  that campers are expected to adhere to the x gallons per day rule in the park, but obviously someone taking a shower/bath in their room is going to consume much more.  Also, there is more to the equation than just water - there is the "gray water" "sewage" issue of showers/baths and of course the electricity/gas/propane to warm a shower.  I'd also have the showers set to a set "moderate" degree to encourage haste.  Furthermore, I'd go a couple of steps further:one step further
1.  Use the European design of heating showers so that they are heated at the shower head electrically - negating the need for inefficient water heaters.  (I'm looking at installing these in my house and getting rid of the water heater all together - or at least downsizing for the dish water and washing machine...)  I do wish the US would go to "forced" electrical conservation by having differing rates for times of the day.  My work mate in the UK is "forced by economics" of doing all of the heavy electrical stuff late at night - much lower rates in the wee hours as opposed during peak demand.  Also, can conserve energy by having electrical switches that are actually "fully turned off" when not in use. The electric meter is setup to keep track of "demand" during the 24 hours of a day and it is priced accordingly.
2.  Does the NPS have any type of a containment/catchment system for catching the rain/snow run off from the parking lots and buildings.  This of course could be done at PJ too.  This water could be "moderately treated" as necessary for showering/bath usage.  Plus, it could be used to store water for fire fighting, etc. 

On the whole, I agree. 

I have 2 tankless, gas-fired water heaters and will never go back to a tank system. Far superior (also far more expensive initially than most people are willing to pay). Gas is more efficient than electric, but electric tankless is better than a tank of any kind.

Catching/storing runoff in parks probably won't happen. Would require too much landscape alteration to be acceptable to purists, even though it would be done on the fringe of existing development.

Gray water is sewage in the minds of most public officials. NM is one of the a very few states that allow gray water usage for irrigation purposes. Most political entities ban discharge of gray water as a presumed health hazard. Intel discharges thousands of gallons of water a day at their chip plant. It goes down the drain cleaner than it came into the factory but cannot be used domestically since it was 'industrial' water. That's pretty ignorant, but that too will eventually change, as will toilet-to-tap recycling once folks get beyond the mental image since water so-processed is completely pure.

There are places in the US that have time-based metering.

[westtex]

I always start the actual peak climb to the right of the rock face.  Next to the juniper tree on the right there is a chute that is much easier to climb then directly up the rock face, with less exposure. 

[mrlukeplease]

Thanks, Lighter Fluid. Looks like fun!

mrlukeplease,
I hiked/climbed Emory Peak this past weekend.
Here is a link to my trip report that will show you pictures of my route up the summit block.
http://www.thehikersforum.com/trip/view_trip.php?tripid=285&mode=view

If you have experience climbing this shouldn't be a difficult climb at all.
There is exposure as Jeff stated, so it will simply be a matter of your comfort level with that.
I hope you and your kid have a great trip!

[RichardM]

I always start the actual peak climb to the right of the rock face.  Next to the juniper tree on the right there is a chute that is much easier to climb then directly up the rock face, with less exposure. 

That's the route my Dad and I used, but I haven't seen any pics of it.

[chuckyd]

As you have probably already left for the park...

Hope your trip went well, and can tell us about it.