User:
JHager -
12/14/2009
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Rating: 
Difficulty: 
Distance: 12.60 Miles
Duration: N/A
I started the hike between 7:30 and 8:00 am on a cool morning (about 38 – 40 degrees) during the third week of December, 2009. It was a little chilly at first, but I quickly warmed up. I’ve hiked in Big Bend National Park many times before, but as this was my first solo trip, the sign at the trailhead warning of an aggressive mountain lion in the area wasn’t exactly comforting. Even in December, the Chisos Mountains are beautiful and I made reasonable progress in spite of frequent stops to take photographs. I was fortunate enough to see several deer on the trial shortly before I stopped for a long lunch. I rested and ate at the South Rim and thoroughly enjoyed the view. The trip back out to the Pinnacles, like the trip in via Laguna Meadows, was very enjoyable. By mid-afternoon, the temperature was about 70-72 degrees and felt even warmer. I don’t think I met more than 4 or 5 other hikers during the trip and I really didn’t mind the solitude at all. The last couple of miles is mostly rocky and a fairly steep decent, so my 54 year-old body definitely felt the result of that pounding the following morning. I shot almost as many photos on the return trip as I did coming out, so I didn’t get back until after 4:00 pm, but considering the view, I really didn’t care. It was a great hike and I never even caught sight of the mountain lion the sign warned of. I strongly recommend the South Rim trail.
A Wonderful Hike With Breathtaking Views!
User:
Lone_Star -
3/9/2008
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Distance: 14.00 Miles
Duration: 8 hours
This trail departs near the Chisos Mountains Lodge. I went up the Laguna Meadows Trail, which was pretty much up all the way. There were some nice spots, but the scenery is much better on the other trails. From the Laguna Meadows Trail, I took the Southwest Rim trail which was absolutely fantastic, especially at the South Rim. I then hiked along the Southeast Rim trail, but I could not go all the way around since part of the trail is closed from Feb 1 - Jul 15 due to the Peregrine Falcon breeding season.
So I circled back to the Boot Canyon Trail and then along the Northeast Rim. The views here are spectacular also!
I then took the Boot Canyon Trail to the Pinnacles Trail back to the Lodge. Along the way, I climbed Emory Peak and then came back down. The way back to the Lodge was almost all downhill, which was helpful because I was pretty exhausted from ascending for many hours earlier in the day.
This is not an easy hike, but it is very beautiful. You can do it in one day, but it will take you all day. If you can camp overnight, it'll be much easier and enjoyable.
South Rim Trail via Laguna Meadows and Boot Canyon
User:
craigalbritton -
2/24/2007
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Distance: 12.80 Miles
Duration: 6 hours, 38 minutes
My father (60 years old) and I departed the Basin at 0800 with a slight (we thought) chill in the air. We were dressed in typical hiking gear (shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt). The previous day's weather reported stated it would be in the 50's in the morning warming up to the 70's. Well, we thought even if it is off by a bit, we are good to go. WRONG! About an hour down Laguna Meadows Trail, the wind started blowing 30 to 40 miles per hour, and our extremities were starting to become numb. The whole time, we are thinking, "Damn, this doesn't feel like 50 degrees?!?". In usual male fashion, we trudged ahead with our heads down and hands in pockets (not a comfortable way to hike at all). We passed a few other hikers who graciously pointed out that the temperature was actually in the 30's without the wind chill effect. That was nice of them since we were at hour 2 of 6.5. They also looked at us like we were "those" hikers. You know the ones that are woefully unprepared for the weather. Oh well, we made it the South Rim, took our pictures and found a rock to shelter against int he sun. When we regained feeling in our extremities (all of them we decided, to make the return, all the while tricking ourselves into thinking, "It's going to be warmer on the return trip!" At this time, we got the bright idea to put our extra socks on our hands (See we had extra socks, but no jackets, Brilliant!). This made life and hiking much more pleasant as made down the Pinnacles trail in 1:48. (NOTE: The next day we made it UP the Pinnacles in 1:49, 1 minute slower. I am still trying to figure that one out; it defies all laws of physics.) All in all this is the premier hike at Big Bend and a must for any visit, but be wary of the weather and take jackets, etc. in the winter. Please use our stupidity to enhance your hike. Cheers.
Someone tell me a better hike in Texas
User:
mstrunc -
4/27/2004
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Rating: N/A
Difficulty:
Distance: 12.60 Miles
Duration: N/A
They say this is the "hike" that anyone worth their mettle should do. I agree; I can''t think of a trek in Texas tougher and more awe inspiring. Let me know if I am missing one. Took a leisurely 3 days on this bad boy. Camped night 1 at Pinnacles and night 2 at Boot Canyon. Side trip to Emory Peak on morning of day 2. Luckily there was plenty of water in Boot Springs; thought we had enough but you really go through it. The loop? My gosh - enough said.
One of the top hikes in the Narional Park system
User:
SA68AG -
4/17/2004
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Rating: N/A
Difficulty: 
Distance: 12.50 Miles
Duration: N/A
This is one of the premier hikes in the National Park system imo. It's hard enough to keep the crowds away and the views from the rim are spectacular. The hike through Boot Canyon is also very scenic. I like going up via the Laguna Meadows and down the Pinnacles trail. The trails are well maintained and well marked, It's just a terrific way to spend a 1/2 day to day hiking. The elevation gain and loss is more like 2000 feet rather than 4500 as given in the description.
Some of the best views in Texas!
User:
texas trekker -
4/19/2003
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Rating: N/A
Difficulty:
Distance: 12.60 Miles
Duration: N/A
A must do hike at Big Bend. Camped at site on the SW side and had a great view of the sun set. Views off the S. rim are second to none!
Very Strenous Climb
User:
Eveline -
10/10/1998
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Rating: N/A
Difficulty:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: N/A
Walked this with the West Texas Trail Walkers. No Solitude, but lots of comradrie. This hike was almost straight up and took lots of rest stops to catch our breath. Pictures at: http://www.geocities.com/volksmarches/SouthRim/1998.html