Big Bend National Park
Summit of Lost Mine Trail
Big Bend National Park lies within the rugged terrain of Texas's Chihuahua Desert. Among its many hiking trails, the Emory Peak Trail stands out as a challenging yet rewarding ascent to the highest point in the park. The trail offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. It was a 9.8 mile out and back hike with an elevation gain around 2,440 feet.
This was our first hike in the park (1/28/2024) and it began at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center, where the trail follows a well-maintained path through a ponderosa pine forest. Pictures are posted below. The final stretch of the trail is the most challenging, requiring a steep ascent along switchbacks and a short scramble up a rocky section. The summit of the hike really provides stunning panorama views of the park's diverse landscape, including the Rio Grande River, the Chihuahua Desert, and the surrounding mountain ranges. We completed the round trip in just under 6 hours.
Santa Elena Canyon stands out as a breathtaking spectacle, a natural marvel. The Santa Elena Canyon, carved by the relentless force of the Rio Grande, is a testament to the power of nature. Its sheer limestone walls, towering over 1,500 feet, create an awe-inspiring chasm that invites exploration. Hiking the Santa Elena Canyon Trail was a geological masterpiece.
The trail began at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. As we embarked on the hike, we crossed Terlingua Creek, which is a winding waterway that adds to the canyon's charm. The trail then ascends a series of switchbacks, gradually leading into the heart of the canyon. Along the way, we encountered a diverse array of flora and fauna, including towering cacti, lush vegetation, and the occasional glimpse of wildlife. The deeper into the canyon trail, the higher the towering cliffs get. Their sheer immensity left us in awe. The narrowest section of the canyon, known as the "Squeeze," is a particularly impressive spot, where the walls come within just 27 feet of each other.
The trail winds its way along the riverbank, offering stunning views of the Rio Grande meandering through the canyon. The changing reflections of the canyon walls and the vibrant hues of the desert sky create a mesmerizing spectacle. The hike is approximately 1.6 miles long with a moderate elevation gain. However, the trail's beauty and the sense of adventure it provides make the exertion worthwhile.
The Lost Mine Trail hike was also one of our favorite hikes. The hike kind of transports you into a different world. At the beginning of the hike there is a long woodland – grassland section with some of the most breathtaking views in the park. At higher elevations the beauty of the surrounding Chisos Mountains and contrasting desert is awesome to take in. The upper portion of the trail is very steep with a series of switchback to help with the ascent to the summit. The total round trip mileage is 4.5 miles with around 1,100 feet of elevation gain. We completed the hike in under 2 hours and that includes time at the top for pictures.
Overall, we were impressed with Big Bend National Park. The Park offers so much natural beauty, great hiking and many different landscapes (desert, mountains, rivers and woodlands). If time permits in our travels this is one of the National Parks we will return too.
