Advice? Week Long Feb 12 Trip

[brownsarefunny]

Me and two buddies are looking to come out to Big Bend for 8-9 Days during late February/early March.  We are hoping to backpack/camp for the whole trip.  We'll fly into El Paso or San Antonio and drive out to West Texas.

The one thing I know I want to do is a backpacking trip through the Chisos.  After that I'm unsure.  Should I spend all of my time in BiBe? Or would it be better (if we fly into El Paso) to do a couple days at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and hike the mountain?

I just don't want to do GMNP if BiBe is already far superior to it.  That'd be a let down.

Thanks for your help!

[jim2]

there is plenty to see in big bend to fill a week, then some. do you have the book Hiking big bend ? that will help you find tons of hikes you'll want to do. i think midland odessa has the closest large airport to the park.

[steelfrog]

Closest airport is Midland

Start at Homer Wilson Ranch, go up Blue Creek into the Chisos; do the rim, Boot Canyon and Emory; go down Juniper to Dodson trail back to Homer Wilson.

Then, head west to Big Bend Ranch state park--it is epic!

If you do the Guads, I'd do them first--just go to Pecos, head north on 285 to Orla and hang a left on 654--one of the more scenic hikes in Texas; Guad peak is a dayhike; also, if you haven't hit Carlsbad Caverns, it's only 40 miles north.

[trtlrock]

I'd spend it all in Bibe, given how much time you'll flush with travel otherwise.

This list should be helpful:

http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/your-trip-reports/backpacking-trip-reports-index/