Itinerary
Friday, February 28, 2025
Fly into Midland/Odessa, TX (MAF)
Either take the free airport shuttle to local hotel or we will pick
you up as you arrive (you may have to wait up to an hour to
consolidate airport trips)
We will assemble at:
MCM Grande Hotel FunDome Odessa, 6201 I-20BL, Odessa, TX 79762, (432) 362-2311.
Make-your-own trail mix from our assortment of ingredients
At around 3PM, shuttle to campsite: Chisos Basin Campground, Window View Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834. Site(s): TBD Elevation: 5400'
Shuttling will take about 4.5 hours
Guides prepare dinner in camp. On some trips with longer shuttle times, we may opt to go out for an opening dinner
at a local restaurant. (Cost of restaurant dinner not included in trip price)
Camp at Chisos Basin Campground, Window View Dr, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834. Site(s): TBD Elevation: 5400'
Once in the park, cache water at Homer Wilson Ranch (1 hour)
Saturday, March 1, 2025
Start hiking on the Laguna Meadow Trail, elevation 5400'
Hike 3.5 uphill miles on the Laguna MeadownTrail to
backcountry campsite Laguna Meadow 2, elevation 6690'
Although it's a short day mileage-wise, you will be carrying up to 8 liters of water uphill
almost all day long since the campsite is dry.
Camp at Laguna Meadow 2, elevation 6690'
Mileage Today: 3.5. Total mileage: 3.5
Possible bailout: Chisos Basin
Sunday, March 2, 2025
Hike 5.6 miles down Blue Creek Canyon to Homer Wilson Ranch, elevation 4170'
Hike 0.2 miles to pick up cached water
Dispersed camp down the wash from Homer Wilson Ranch practicing Leave No Trace Ethic, elevation 4170'
Mileage Today: 5.8. Total mileage: 9.3
Possible bailout: Park Road near Homer Wilson
Monday, March 3, 2025
Hike 6.3 miles on the Dodson Trail to Fresno Creek, elevation 4560'
Water is generally reliable at Fresno Creek although we may have to walk downstream to access
it in dry years
Mileage Today: 6.3. Total mileage: 15.6
Dispersed camp near Fresno Creek practicing Leave No Trace Ethic, elevation 4560'
Possible bailout: Homer Wilson Ranch
Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Fill all water vessels with a minimum of 8 liters. There is no water today.
Hike 4.9 miles on the Dodson Creek Trail to a parking lot at the end of Juniper Creek Road, elevation 3980'.
This is about the lowest elevation on the hike.
Hike 2.7 miles on the Juniper Creek Trail to a set of flat campsites, elevation 4680'. There is a
better, roomier dispersed site another 1.5 miles (and 900 feet of elevation) further. No water at
either site.
Dispersed camp along the Juniper Creek Trail, elevation 4680'
Mileage Today: 7.6. Total mileage: 23.2
Possible bailout: Juniper Canyon (dirt) road
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Wake up extremely early in anticipation of a long day that includes summitting
Emory Peak.
Please note: When you get to Emory Peak, there is a steep 50 meter
rock scramble to the summmit at the very end of the climb.
Some people are not comfortable doing
this because of the drop-offs and some people are not comfortable
with the physical scrambling. But the rewards are great for those
intrepid participants who make it to the very top.
Hike 3.9 uphill miles on the Juniper Creek Trail to Boot Canyon, elevation 6830'
There is usually water here, but if not, there is a more reliable (but less appetizing)
spring about 0.2 miles beyond.
Hike 1.1 miles on the Boot Canyon Trail to Toll Mountain, elevation 6990'
Drop packs in bear boxes and day-hike 3.0 round trip miles on the Emory Peak trail
to the summmit of Emory Peak, the highest point in Big Bend
National Park, elevation 7825'.
Enjoy the amazing views.
Hike 1.1 miles on the Emory Peak Trail to the Pinnacles, elevation 6250'
Camp at the Pinnacles 3, elevation 6250'
Mileage Today: 9.1. Total mileage: 32.3
Possible bailout: One day away
Thursday, March 6, 2025
Hike 1.8 miles on the Emory Peak Trail back to the Chisos Basin, elevation 5400'
Drive towards Rio Grande Village and park at the Hot Springs Parking lot
Spend about an hour (or more) in the Hot Spring and Rio Grande River.
End of hiking
Mileage Today: 1.8. Total mileage: 34.1
Possible bailout: Chisos Basin
Shuttle back to Midland/Odessa
Shuttle back to local hotel:
MCM Grande Hotel FunDome Odessa, 6201 I-20BL, Odessa, TX 79762, (432) 362-2311.
Gather your off-trail items from storage
Dinner and awards ceremony at a local restaurant (Dinner cost not included in trip price)
Stay in our local hotel (included in trip cost)
This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at
the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew
and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if
this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Either take a free airport shuttle or we will drop you at the airport
in the morning. If there is no free shuttle and your flight leaves
later than mid-morning, you will probably have to get a cab / Uber
at your own expense.
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