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Big Bend - South Rim Log Entries


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Ouch
User: texaskdog - 7/22/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Beautiful day but we got a late start.  We were sucking wind climbing up on this overly hot day (unlike last time).  We almost got to the rim and we heard a bear growl.  Then it started POURING rain for 2 hours.  Looking off the rim we could see sun everywhere but we were combatting lightning strikes with no shelter.  We kept hiking down fast in the pouring rain and then it cleared up and was intensely hot again.  Bad experience but unforgettable adventure.

Excellent hike that I plan on doing again
User: rodavenport - 4/12/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.60 Miles Duration: N/A

I enjoyed this hike very much. Some spendid views of the desert south of the mountains. The only issue I had with the hike was the noise from the basin when you were outbound and inbound. Once you cross over the ridge lines its much more peaceful.

Beautiful Desert and Mountains!
User: a0628h0427 - 3/16/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 14.00 Miles Duration: N/A

I started my hike about 9:00 a.m. up the Laguna Meadows trail. By 12:30 I was sitting on the South Rim with my feet dangling over the edge enjoying lunch! Magnificent!  I hiked back down the Pinnacles trail in the afternoon, finishing up around 5:00 p.m. Afterwards, my body only hurt in one place -- everywhere!

User: JHager - 12/14/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
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.

Awesome views
User: jmitchell - 11/29/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 13.50 Miles Duration: 7 hours, 30 minutes

Saw some (5) black bears up close!

Must do hike...highly recommended
User: omgjoz - 6/5/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 24.00 Miles Duration: 2 days

Hiked the loop plus some side trails in a couple days.  Fantastic place to visit.  The weather was great.  Hike in plenty of water.  Flies were quite bad.  Not many people on the trails.  Saw a mountion lion!  I will be back to hike this again.

A Wonderful Hike With Breathtaking Views!
User: Lone_Star - 3/9/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
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.

HIKERS PARADISE
User: medicnco17 - 2/8/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: 12 hours

I LEFT OUT ON THE PINNACLE TRAIL @ THE LODGE THAT WAS THE FUNNEST 2 MILES IN I HAVE EVER HIKED. STRAIGHT UP! THE HIKE WAS MAGNIFICENT IT SNOWED ON ME AND THE NIGHTS WERE COLD. BUT THE VIEW FROM THE SOUTH RIM WAS JUST BREATH TAKING. I RECOMEND THIS TO EVERY ONE. I STAYED ON THE RIM THAT NIGHT AND THEN ONE NIGHT IN THE LAGOONA MESA NO BEARS BUT JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS IT COULD BE.

Good hike, Great view
User: CWoods - 3/14/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Hiked the Laguna Meadows trail first to the south rim, then set up camp at Toll Mountain. Made it to the top of Emory in time to cook dinner and watch the sun set. Hiked out the Pinnacles trail. Saw white-tail deer in the morning on the way back to the trail head.
South Rim Trail via Laguna Meadows and Boot Canyon
User: craigalbritton - 2/24/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
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.
Not as easy as it looks.
User: chupacerveza - 11/6/2006  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.60 Miles Duration: 8 hours
Beautiful views. I only met 5 other hikers in 8 hours. Coming back down seemed to be harder, but then again I was already 4 hours into the hike I remember for ever.
User: adipaulie - 4/28/2006  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.60 Miles Duration: N/A
Big Bend lives up to its reputation
User: Kim - 11/12/2005  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.60 Miles Duration: N/A
We camped on the South Rim for 4 nights and that just wasn't enough. Great place for a challenging, and beautiful hike. Sitting on the edge of the rim feeling the warm winds rushing past our faces was a thrill. Watching the ravens and falcons in combat was better then TV. The sunsets were colorful. Cannot wait to go back again and again!
No more switchbacks!
User: pixistixs - 3/19/2005  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Did half of this one in the dark- scary! Nice to be done with the switchbacks. Wouldn't suggest doing this without a reserved campsite. Beautiful in the morning, nice to be going downhill for a change!!
Someone tell me a better hike in Texas
User: mstrunc - 4/27/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: Solitude:
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.
User: wmaginot - 4/22/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 12.50 Miles Duration: N/A
One of the top hikes in the Narional Park system
User: SA68AG - 4/17/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: Solitude:
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.
It was raining & there were waterfalls
User: Eveline - 10/11/2003  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 11.00 Miles Duration: N/A
This was like a whole different walk from 1998. Walked with the West Texas Trail Walkers again. The weather was rainy and they almost cancelled the hike. But we went ahead and did it. Pictures: http://www.geocities.com/ourwalks/Pinacles/trail2.html
Some of the best views in Texas!
User: texas trekker - 4/19/2003  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: Solitude:
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!
Maybe the best hike in Big Bend
User: Austin Explorer - 10/15/2001  [View Log Page]
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 14.60 Miles Duration: 9 hours, 52 minutes

We combined both the South Rim and Emory Peak on this day hike.  Not really recommended to do both of these in a day as we were spent afterwards.  The views on the South Rim (though a bit hazy) were spectacular.  I think a better option may be the camp near the rim and make this a two day trip to really have some time to explore and soak up the scenery.

Very Strenous Climb
User: Eveline - 10/10/1998  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: Solitude:
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