Scenes from Big Bend's classic hikes
- Postcard Paradigms
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 13
"... with more desert and mountains than I can explore in a lifetime open to view, I was invited to contemplate a far larger world, one which extends into a past and into a future without any limits known to the human kind."
-from "Desert Solitaire" by Edward Abbey
The following will not do justice to the scenery.
Congratulations if you got through the exploring Big Bend National Park by land and by river post - it was a long one. This post is not all-encompassing of our visit but focuses on the hiking in the parks.
The Window Trail
During the first part of our trip, we stayed in the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The trailheads are easily accessible from this area. So, whether you are staying at the Lodge, nearby Basin campground, or drive into the Basin area and park, this one is simple to get to. (Though please check on the latest Chisos Lodge renovations as it may change how this is accessed).
Rise and shine; I started this one nice and early after enjoying the soft glow from the sunrise over the Chisos. Sunrise was my favorite time in Big Bend.
This hike actually descends from the trailhead to the Window view and then climbs in elevation back to the Lodge. Very straightforward hike, the distance out and back around five miles. I was very out of hiking shape, so it was a good one to start with. No view was a bad view.
From our other posts, Beth had injured her foot on a prior adventure. As I was on my own for the hiking in Big Bend, I captured a lot of videos for Beth to catch up so as not to miss some of the scenes. As a consequence, you all get to see some of the footage. One of the first, you get the idea of changing terrain descending into the canyon. I was greeted by one of the locals in the video below. Pardon the bear bells, it was early, and I was on my own so wanted to avoid unexpected close encounters with any black bears this morning.
Some close-ups of my gracious host. These birds are not shy with their song nor their demeanor. They sound and act as sharp as their bright blue feathers. Got to love the heckling song of the jay as I walked through the canyon.
The views at the end of The Window Trail are more than worth it. After taking in these views, it was time to turn around and work back uphill across the switchbacks to the lodge.
The Lost Mine Trail
This trail is one of the most touted in the park, and rightfully so. The trailhead is located about a mile down the road from Chisos Basin. It does get crowded, so if you make this hike be mindful that you may need to plan on extra distance to and from the trail. Unlike "The Window Trail," which starts downhill first, the Lost Mine Trail is a traditional hike that starts uphill and works to a summit. Again, my preference was to start before most hikers at sunrise.
Away I went up the trail. Lost Mine did not disappoint, there were so many viewpoints to catch the varied landscape. This morning was extremely clear and moving higher in the Chisos allowed incredible looks into the park's vastness.
A quick stop to catch some breath and have a panoramic view.
As you work your way up the switchbacks, more spectacular views are revealed. No better way to spend a Friday morning. Or any morning for that matter.
Is there any better sound than the wind near the summit of a mountain?
In short, Lost Mine Trail is a gorgeous hike. More than worth the hype.
Others - start to Pinnacles
On our last day of being based in Chisos Basin, I took the morning to ad-lib certain parts of Chisos Basin trail and also part of Pinnacles trail. Having done some of the other notable hikes in Big Bend, next time I'm aiming for the South rim. This time around, I didn't have myself prepared but sampling portions of Pinnacles, this has to happen at some point.
Santa Elena Canyon
It's a short hike, but it's well worth the drive to the southwestern portion of the park to take in this iconic scenery. The hike is really straightforward, so find the trailhead and maneuver your way as far down the canyon as you can. Then, a picture is worth way more than a thousand words.
And a movie is worth a million words...
Eventually, the trail ends when the Rio Grande takes over.
We hope you enjoyed this one. If you're lucky enough to live in this region, then I hope you really enjoy the tremendous natural landscape that you get to see often. For most of the U.S., this is a remote place to go, but it is well worth the journey.
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