One day in Big Bend, what are you doing?

2,686 Views | 26 Replies | Last: 4 mo ago by AggieOO
JoeAG
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8:53p, 8/3/25
AG
Thought I would have two, long story

Staying in Terlingua so coming in the west gate.

What hikes would you recommend?

What to prioritize.

Appreciate the help it'll be the first time
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jja79
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9:30p, 8/3/25
AG
Hydrate, long sleeves and a big hat.
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Gig-Em2003
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10:47p, 8/3/25
AG
Get to park early, head straight to Santa Elena Canyon. Spend morning there and then drive to the Chisos. Lunch and hydrate and then do a trail in the Chisos that afternoon. We loved the Lost Mine Trail. You can do all of this in a day and see two of the best spots in the park.
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wessimo
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In reply to Gig-Em2003 • 10:39a, 8/4/25
AG
Gig-Em2003 said:
Get to park early, head straight to Santa Elena Canyon. Spend morning there and then drive to the Chisos. Lunch and hydrate and then do a trail in the Chisos that afternoon. We loved the Lost Mine Trail. You can do all of this in a day and see two of the best spots in the park.


This, and if you still have energy later (and it is not too hot), the Grapevine Hills trail that takes you to balanced rock is a good one (2.2miles with a scramble at the end). The road leading to the trailhead can be rough and you may need a high clearance vehicle. I've driven it in a minivan but recent rains have likely made it tougher going.
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AggieOO
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In reply to Gig-Em2003 • 12:44p, 8/4/25
Gig-Em2003 said:
Get to park early, head straight to Santa Elena Canyon. Spend morning there and then drive to the Chisos. Lunch and hydrate and then do a trail in the Chisos that afternoon. We loved the Lost Mine Trail. You can do all of this in a day and see two of the best spots in the park.

Unless you are going to Santa Elena via Old Maverick road, you can't get there. And I'm not even 100% sure Old Maverick is open. Almost all other dirt roads are closed. The paved road is closed. You can only go as far as the overlook. Still worth seeing, but can't get TO the canyon.
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Naveronski
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In reply to JoeAG • 1:45p, 8/4/25
AG
When? Time of year matters.

Also, they've had flash floods lately and not all of the roads are accessible.
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lp01
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4:31p, 8/4/25
AG
Fill up at Study Butte. No fuel in the park for the foreseeable future. You'll want to plan that too. We went last spring break and I had a 30 minute wait to get gas and it was painfully slow. And the Basin will be closed this coming Fall.

https://www.marfapublicradio.org/news/2025-07-29/gas-and-diesel-unavailable-at-big-bend-national-park-until-further-notice
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wessimo
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4:49p, 8/4/25
AG

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JoeAG
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In reply to Naveronski • 7:49a, 8/5/25
AG
Thanksgiving
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lp01
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In reply to wessimo • 8:39a, 8/5/25
AG
That's great news
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Naveronski
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In reply to JoeAG • 9:31a, 8/5/25
AG
JoeAG said:
Thanksgiving

Then gas should be fine and the roads should be open to Santa Elena.
Weather will be cool and perfect for hiking.
So... most of the negative posts so far don't apply.


Gig-Em2003 has a good suggestion.

I prefer the Last Mine trail over The Window, but both are enjoyable and not difficult.
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ShinerBlonde
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10:33a, 8/5/25
AG
Straight to Lost Mine trail. My absolute favorite.
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AgRyan04
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8:30p, 8/13/25
Check the construction status of Chisos....it was supposed to start in the spring but hasn't yet....not sure when a realistic time is but when they start they're closing the entire road up to Chisos
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AggieOO
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In reply to AgRyan04 • 7:00a, 8/14/25
Pushed out to nov. Will likely get pushed again. They don't even have a contractor yet.
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AggieOO
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In reply to AggieOO • 3:50p, 8/20/25
AggieOO said:
Pushed out to nov. Will likely get pushed again. They don't even have a contractor yet.

pushed out again.

Quote:
  • The proposal due date is not changed and remains August 29, 2025 at 1200 MDT as established in Amendment 0003.
  • Turnover for all areas and buildings within the construction limits of disturbance to the Contractor will occur on 05/01/2026 or the date of contract award, whichever occurs later. However, construction mobilization and certain construction work will be permitted prior to 05/01/2026 as specified in as further described below.
  • The assumed full construction Notice to Proceed date that Offerors shall use in preparing their proposed construction schedule for this project is changed from November 01, 2025 (per Solicitation Amendment No. 0003) to May 01, 2026. Offerors are permitted, at their discretion, to indicate mobilization and construction activities prior to May 01, 2026, in accordance with the contract requirements and the requirements of this solicitation amendment and assuming a contract award date of December 15, 2025.

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AgRyan04
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In reply to AggieOO • 8:07p, 8/20/25
Awesome! I need to book me some time in Chisos!
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bayouaggie
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8:09p, 8/20/25
AG
We'll be there for Thanksgiving as well, also staying in Terilingua in our RV. Glad to see the construction pushing out and hopefully Chisos Basin is fully open for Thanksgiving. We visited Big Bend in 2018 when kids were little so looking forward to doing more hiking now that they are teenagers.
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wessimo
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6:43a, 8/28/25
AG
PSA - booking for the Chisos Lodge and campground is open for the fall / winter. Booked a stay after Christmas..
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NoahAg
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1:36p, 8/28/25
Have any of you hiked the outer mountain loop? I think it's ~30 miles.
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AgRyan04
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In reply to NoahAg • 5:39p, 8/28/25
It's on my list but haven't gotten to it yet
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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AggieOO
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In reply to NoahAg • 8:31p, 8/28/25
NoahAg said:
Have any of you hiked the outer mountain loop? I think it's ~30 miles.


Multiple times. I've run it in about 8 hours, hiked it in 2 days and 3 days. For hiking, I think 3 days is the sweet spot, though 4 days/3 nights is attractive too, depending on how you structure it.

I've done it in both directions.
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NoahAg
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In reply to AggieOO • 8:34p, 8/28/25
Nice! Where did you start each time? Juniper Canyon?
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AggieOO
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In reply to NoahAg • 8:36p, 8/28/25
Started in the basin every time.
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TRD-Ferguson
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8:45p, 8/28/25
AG
I've never started the OML at the Basin. I know that's the traditional park route. I've hiked up or down Pinnacles/Laguna Meadows enough times on other trips and saw no need to include that in the OML.

I've always started at Juniper Canyon and have gone both ways from there.

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AggieOO
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In reply to TRD-Ferguson • 8:50p, 8/28/25
Include the south rim or cut across colima? I like the idea of starting elsewhere and including the rim, but never done it like that.
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TRD-Ferguson
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In reply to AggieOO • 8:57p, 8/28/25
AG
I've done both. If I were to do it again I'd cut across Colima. The one thing I haven't done in the Chisos is camp on the NE Rim. I regret that. They won't let me drive the van up there!
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AggieOO
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In reply to TRD-Ferguson • 9:11p, 8/28/25
I've never camped up there either.

With the closure getting pushed out, might try to see if we can make another attempt at canyon to canyon. Lining up logistics of everything is a bit challenging, especially with my BIL being in cali. But if we do, and you are up for it, we'd love some support again.
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