Greenhorn heading out this week

[onward]

Hey amigos, first post but been lurkin for a while.  I have never been to Big Bend, was planning on going with friends this spring but that fell through so I am now planning on going by myself in a few days.  Probably head out Monday with the return date open-ended, I'd like to stay close to a week but that will probably depend on how hard the terrain, Murphy, and his law beat me up.  My backpacking experience is limited to a few trips to Enchanted Rock this year but I am young, in good health, and have been looking forward to this for nearly a year.  This would be a great trip to break myself in with.  

So here's kinda what I have been thinking, obviously it probably won't play out just like this but this is the current ideal:


Head out from San Antonio on I-90 early enough to get to Panther Junction while it's still open, camp at a site in Pine Canyon the first night.

Next day check out Santa Elena Canyon and then Mule Ears Spring and get somewhere around Mule Ears, camp somewhere out there (that'd be zone-camping right?)

Third day try to get started early and visit Cattail Falls (anybody been recently?) then drive to the East side of the park, go to Ernst Tinaja, the Hot Springs, and Boquillas Canyon ideally.  What is better, Boquillas Canyon Overlook or Boquillas Canyon Trail?  I also need a place on this side of the park to camp this night, any ideas?

Fourth day in this itinerary would be Marufo Vega day, taking the South fork and spending the night on the river.

Morning of the fifth day journey back to the truck and head to the basin, check out the window and window view trail, then trek the Lost Mine Trail in preparation for the South Rim.  Firstly I'm thinking this may be too much for one day?  Also is there any campsites on or around lost mine trail?  Or would I have to go back down to the basin?  And does it cost more to camp in the basin versus staying backcountry?

Sixth day would be up Pinnacles, drop the pack and scurry up to the summit of Emory Peak, then down and onward to the rim and have a great last night in the park.

Seventh day down Laguna Meadows, ice cream, and I90 back to San Antone.


Thoughts / Opinions?  Good or over-ambitious?  Anything you would change, cut-out, or add?

Thanks very much for the help.  Hopefully just the first trip of many.  



Ohh almost forgot!  My mother went to college in Alpine and got to visit Big Bend some.  She told me about this road she had been on in Big Bend (this was probably in the late 70's) and I wanted to know if it still exists and where it would be if it did.  She said going into the park from Terlingua they'd then drive down to the river, the road would then go right (West) and upwards.  She said the road was narrow and was scary with a cliff on the left side.  Any ideas???  She also said they camped out in the desert and in the evening a herd of wild Mustangs came near them.  Just thought you might like the story.  

[Al]

Hey amigos, first post but been lurkin for a while.  I have never been to Big Bend, was planning on going with friends this spring but that fell through so I am now planning on going by myself in a few days.  Probably head out Monday with the return date open-ended, I'd like to stay close to a week but that will probably depend on how hard the terrain, Murphy, and his law beat me up.  My backpacking experience is limited to a few trips to Enchanted Rock this year but I am young, in good health, and have been looking forward to this for nearly a year.  This would be a great trip to break myself in with. 

So here's kinda what I have been thinking, obviously it probably won't play out just like this but this is the current ideal:


Head out from San Antonio on I-90 early enough to get to Panther Junction while it's still open, camp at a site in Pine Canyon the first night.

Next day check out Santa Elena Canyon and then Mule Ears Spring and Mule Ears, camp somewhere out there (that'd be zone-camping right?)

Third day visit Cattail Falls (anybody been recently?) then drive to the East side of the park, go to Ernst Tinaja, the Hot Springs, and Boquillas Canyon.  What is better, Boquillas Canyon Overlook or Boquillas Canyon Trail?  I also need a place on this side of the park to camp this night, any ideas?

Fourth day in this itinerary would be Marufo Vega day, taking the South fork and spending the night on the river.

Morning of the fifth day journey back to the truck and head to the basin, check out the window and window view trail, then trek the Lost Mine Trail in preparation for the South Rim.  Firstly I'm thinking this may be too much for one day?  Also is there any campsites on or around lost mine trail?  Or would I have to go back down to the basin?  And does it cost more to camp in the basin versus staying backcountry?

Sixth day would be up Pinnacles, drop the pack and scurry up to the summit of Emory Peak, then down and onward to the rim and have a great last night in the park.

Seventh day down Laguna Meadows, ice cream, and I90 back to San Antone.


Thoughts / Opinions?  Good or over-ambitious?  Anything you would change, cut-out, or add?

Thanks very much for the help.  Hopefully just the first trip of many.   



Ohh almost forgot!  My mother went to college in Alpine and got to visit Big Bend some.  She told me about this road she had been on in Big Bend (this was probably in the late 70's) and I wanted to know if it still exists and where it would be if it did.  She said going into the park from Terlingua they'd then drive down to the river, the road would then go right (West) and upwards.  She said the road was narrow and was scary with a cliff on the left side.  Any ideas???  She also said they camped out in the desert and in the evening a herd of wild Mustangs came near them.  Just thought you might like the story. 

Most excellent questions. Over-ambitious, very much so.  One of the joys of Big Bend is slowing down and leaving stress behind.  I'll let others answer, hopefully, many of your questions.  When you leave PJ they will be answered for sure.  Unless you have done more hiking than indicated, I would rethink Marufo Vega. If you hurt yourself could be days before you are found.  I can't wait for your trip report and pictures.  Enjoy!

[onward]

Thanks.  I would think either I'd be straining myself on Marufo Vega or at least be beat from hiking Marufo come time for the rim.  Had to throw some ideas out there, I need critique as it's just a couple days away.  Is the over-ambitiousness more from trying to see too many places (and getting hurried which I don't want to do), or from being too physically-demanding?

[Casa Grande]

....too physically-demanding?

You know, this is all relative.  No one knows your abilities better than your mother.  Ask her.

One of the things about the desert is how incredibly rugged it is.  And I do mean rugged.  So, doing all of that is going to be much more than you think it is.  I would do the Rim first.   

I also need a place on this side of the park to camp this night, any ideas?

Camp at Ernst Tinaja.  Perfect.

Morning of the fifth day journey back to the truck and head to the basin, check out the window and window view trail, then trek the Lost Mine Trail in preparation for the South Rim.  Firstly I'm thinking this may be too much for one day?  Also is there any campsites on or around lost mine trail?  Or would I have to go back down to the basin?  And does it cost more to camp in the basin versus staying backcountry?

wow....

Yep, better rethink the Window and Lost Mine in one day........I'd skip the Window and do Lost Mine.  You get more for  you money in my opinion.  No sites at the Lost Mine Trail, but it's a pretty quick day hike and it will definitely give you a preview for your trip to the Rim the next day.  It's a back peddling return trip only.  No overnights there.  Good warm up too.  And, don't worry about cost for the sites..., but Backcountry camping is definitely cheaper.

The only thing a would reconsider is Marufa Vega.  Skip and save it for another trip.  Buy the quad and dream of your 2nd trip to the bend where you'll conquer the Vega.


Have a great trip!  And I hope you're taking a high clearance vehicle for Pine Canyon and Ernst?

[badknees]

I agree with Al. I would skip the MV portion and spread out the rest a bit. Other than that, it looks OK
Camping east of Mule Ear Spring overlooking Smoky Creek is very nice and not too far, but still remote, plus there is water at Mule Ears Spring. (yes zone camping)

[Sanjuro82]

Keep in mind that the Hot Springs are have been under water recently because of the dam releases from the Rio Conchos in Mexico.  Check with the rangers when you arrive.

[Al]

Keep in mind that the Hot Springs are have been under water recently because of the dam releases from the Rio Conchos in Mexico.  Check with the rangers when you arrive.

That's horrible, although water's very good.  It's coming on to be Hot Springs Prime Time . . .

Al

[Voni]

I expect the road your Mom talked about was  what we call the River Road.  Amazing scenery!  Check with the park rangers as to driveability.

Voni
  sMiling

[txhiker]

Day 2: From Pine Canyon on the first night, go do the stuff on the east side of the park, less driving.  You can camp at Ernest Tinaja or along he river road (this assuming you have a high clearance 4x4).
Day 3: I wouldn't skip MF but allow more time for it. Camp along the river.
Day 4: Return from MV and head to the basin, do the window trail if you feel like it. Lost mine is nice but i'd do the window.
Day 5: Climb Emory and head to the south rim.
Day 6: Head back to the car and go do stuff on the west side. Santa Elena, Tuff canyon, Burro Mesa Pouroff, Mule ears Overlook, Homer Wilson Ranch, and Cattail falls are things you could do on the west side. Then maybe car camp at Terlingua Abajo.
Day 7: Do what you didn't get done the day before and/ore head home.

I suggest the above trip. It is very physical but I would be ok doing it as I am also young and active as you describe yourself. I have some concern's on still suggesting MV because you don't have much backpacking experience and have never been out there before. How good are you with maps? Are you going alone on this trip?

David

[onward]

Thanks everybody for the helpful suggestions!  I'll play a lot of the trip by how I am feeling.  Yes I have 2WD high-clearance.  I'll try to post a trip report with pictures after I get back and collect myself.  Thanks for the help, especially the east of mule ears spring smoky creek overlook suggestion.  Hittin' the road 'round sunrise. 

Josh

[Al]

Have a great trip!

Al

PS I have gone all over the park except down Black Gap with various 2 wheel drive high clearance vehicles.  If you are prepared and drive carefully you should be able to go pretty much anywhere in the park.

[Casa Grande]

Have a great trip!

Al

PS I have gone all over the park except down Black Gap with various 2 wheel drive high clearance vehicles.  If you are prepared and drive carefully you should be able to go pretty much anywhere in the park.

I agree, accept when it rains....stay off River Road without 4wd. 

[Sanjuro82]

Oh man that sounds like a great trip!  I'm jealous!  Have fun, be safe, and give us that trip report with pictures when you get back!

[jim2]

if you arrive at the lost mine trailhead by 8am, hike it, you could have time to do the window in the afternoon. i've done this combo a couple of times, about ten miles in total. do the window in the afternoon and take the oak spring cutoff to the overlook. one of the best views in the park ,particularly around sunset.