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Big Bend National Park

Friday, February 27, 2026 - Friday, March 6, 2026 -- $1900 ★★★★


Tucked into the farthest reaches of West Texas, Big Bend National Park is one of the last truly untamed corners of the American Southwest. This park spanning desert, mountains, and river feels more like a forgotten frontier than a national park. Its scale is staggering, its silence profound, and its trails blissfully empty. There are few places left in the United States where you can hike for days without seeing another person, and Big Bend is one of them. Seldom visited and sparsely populated,


This Outer Mountain Loop Adventure is a demanding but deeply rewarding journey through the heart of Big Bend’s varied landscapes. The route begins and ends in the Chisos Mountains, climbing through piñon and juniper forests and traversing dramatic ridgelines before dropping into the arid desert below. We’ll navigate dry washes, cross expansive desert basins, and finally ascend again to tag the summit of Emory Peak the park’s highest point at 7,825 feet.


The terrain is tough. Water is scarce. Temperatures can swing wildly between sunbaked afternoons and frosty desert nights. But for those who are prepared, this is the kind of trip that leaves a mark. Along the way, we’ll encounter stark beauty in every direction—layered canyon walls glowing at sunrise, cacti blooming in defiance of the desert, and sweeping views that stretch well into Mexico. Wildlife sightings are common and often surprising: javelinas and mule deer roam freely, bighorn sheep cling to the cliffs, and roadrunners and hawks often lead the way down the trail.


For those ready to challenge themselves and experience Big Bend in its rawest and most unforgettable form, this journey is unlike any other.



Topographical Map of Proposed Route

See Topo map


Weather

Weather is always an important factor to consider when backpacking in Big Bend, especially in the late winter and early spring. In February and March, daytime temperatures typically range from the 60s to low 80s°F, with nighttime lows in the 30s and 40s°F. However, just like the desert itself, the weather can be extreme and unpredictable. It's not uncommon to experience blazing sun and 85°F heat one afternoon, followed by a freezing, wind-chilled night in the mountains. Snow in the Chisos is rare but possible, and so is unseasonable heat in the desert canyons.


We’ve seen trips where the thermometer dipped into the low 20s overnight, and others where hikers faced sun exposure and temperatures pushing 90°F. These fluctuations aren’t meant to alarm you, but to emphasize the need for preparation. Big Bend demands that you pack for both heat and cold, and be ready to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. In this landscape, proper layering, sun protection, and cold-weather gear are all essential.



Probable Trip Leaders

Guide(s) TBD

Cost

$1900 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. Single room accommodations are available for purchase. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Midland/Odessa (MAF) as well as personal equipment, restaurant meals (typically 2 dinners) and any gratuities for guides. You may also be charged for any parking charges for leaving your car at the hotel all week if you drive.


Covered expenses include 1 hotel night, storage fees, 6 days of trail meals, airport transfers, ground transportation to/from/within the National Park, park permits, park entrance fees and awesome guides.


Tipping: In order to keep our prices competitive with (and hopefully favorable to) other outfitters, we shamefully can’t pay our guides as much as we think they deserve. Like most other guiding services, we rely on the generosity of our participants to make up this shortfall by tipping the guides. Gratuity can comprise a significant and important part of a guide’s compensation. The industry recommended gratuity amount is 10-20% of the trip cost. Gratuities are always optional and based on level of satisfaction but generally account for 30-60% of their income through gratuities. Fitpacking supports tipping to the greatest extent possible while remaining tactful and professional. Guides are not permitted to solicit tips in any way other than doing an exceptional job supporting and providing exceptional customer service to our participants. If your guides have served you well, please support them with gratuities so they can continue living their extravagant lifestyles of eating powdered meals, sleeping in the dirt and pooping in smelly outhouses and small holes they've dug.



Important Notes about this trip

Trails in Big Bend are generally well-groomed although there can be a fair amount of climbing and descent, especially summiting Emory Peak, Expect to be exposed to the sun all day on some trails. And be prepared for cold night temperatures. But overall, this trip is attainable by most people with patience and perseverance.


One of the most critical elements of this trip is the scarcity of water. On Day 4, hikers must be prepared to carry up to eight liters of water, which adds roughly sixteen pounds to your pack. Combined with dry desert heat, constant sun exposure, and rugged, uneven terrain, this creates a serious physical challenge that should not be underestimated. This trip is not recommended for first-time backpackers. Participants should come with a high level of fitness, prior backpacking experience, and a strong understanding of how to stay hydrated and manage their energy in demanding conditions. With the right preparation, this can be a deeply rewarding and unforgettable desert adventure—but it requires real commitment and respect for the environment.


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Itinerary
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Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Friday, February 27, 2026

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: TBD, To Be Determined

Make-your-own trail mix bar. You craft your personal trail mix from a cornucopia of nuts, fruits, sweets and occasional wildcard items that we provide.

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, February 28, 2026

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 1, 2026

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 2, 2026

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 3, 2026

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 4, 2026

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 summit 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 summit 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 5, 2026

Hike 1.8 miles on the Emory Peak Trail back to the Chisos Basin, elevation 5400'

End of hiking

Mileage Today: 1.8. Total mileage: 34.1

Drive towards Terlingua and take in the interesting ghost town and cemetery

Check out the famous Terlingua Trading Company. It has something for everyone!

Have lunch at the High Sierra Bar and Grill or DB’s Rustic Iron BBQ (Lunch not included in the cost of the trip)

Shuttle back to Midland/Odessa

Shuttle back to local hotel: TBD, To Be Determined

Gather your off-trail items from storage

Farewell dinner 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 6, 2026

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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