Ojito Adentro is one of the most underrated hikes in Big Bend Ranch State Park. It’s incredibly easy too, giving you a ton of bang for your buck!
How descriptions of this trail aren’t plastered all over the internet raving for people to come and see it, I don’t know. This trail is fucking magic.
As I walked along its tranquil path, the stress of modern day city life slipped away. I sank into the present moment, drinking in everything nature has to offer.
Table of Contents
What to put in your backpack
- The 10 essentials
- Minimum of 1L water
- 300 calories of snacks, minimum
Hiking Ojito Adentro
Ojito Adentro roughly translates to “little spring within”, which doesn’t do the place justice. This trail ends in a pour-off (a rocky drop-off that was once a waterfall). Below the pour-off, there is a stunningly peaceful spring full of fern and forbs (a type of flower).
Along the way you’ll encounter cottonwood trees, rock scrambling and maybe even some wildlife – but I’m getting ahead of myself here. Let’s dive into the nitty gritty details before I get too carried away by the magic of this place.
Accessing the Trail
In the grand scheme of Big Bend Ranch State Park, this trail is “easy” to reach because it’s just off the main park road. If you can drive safely down the main park road – no easy feat for some vehicles – you can reach the trailhead. The parking lot has enough space for 4-5 cars.
Bad news though: there are no restrooms. Hope you brought your wag bags and a pee cloth! If not…well, good luck with that!
Ojito Adentro Trailhead is found in the Bofecillos Mountains, just below Agua Adentro Mountain. The trail itself clocks in at only .84 miles one way with a piddly elevation gain of 250 feet. It’s easy peasy hiking if you’re up for a touch of rock scrambling through the last several hundred feet of the trail.
The Ojito Adentro Trail Experience
My anxiety had been running amuck the whole drive to Big Bend Ranch and, if I’m honest, for a few weeks leading up to the trip as well. We were supposed to camp at La Mota. Would our trusty Honda Pilot be able to make it out there or would we get stuck in a sandy wash, stranded in the middle of nowhere and die?
Or, less dramatically, end up with a staggering towing bill? I didn’t want either end, but the minute I stepped on that trail, the anxiety melted away.
Ojito Adentro Trail begins in the typical Chihuahuan desert – you know, full of creosote bush, cacti, sotol, lechuguilla, that sort of thing. It immediately descends a bit and offers a lovely
view of Agua Adentro mountain to the left along with fascinating rock formations to the right.
You can go through the gate.
About .25 miles in there is a gate. Go through it. I promise it’s okay.
Moving From Desert to Creek
Before long, the landscape transitions from desert scrub to a riparian zone as you enter a creek. Savvy readers will know that a riparian zone is an ecosystem that lies between land and water, which is an incredibly important ecosystem in Texas, particularly.
Not so savvy readers now know what a riparian zone is. Huzzah.
Riparian zone, y’all!
This area can be very muddy and slick after rains. It’s not the place to be in a downpour – unless of course you want to get swept up in a flash flood and die. Who am I to judge your choices or tell you what to do?
The transition from desert to riparian happens quickly. One moment you’re surrounded by desert shrubs and the next thing you know, grasses, willows, cottonwoods and ferns are swallowing you up. I hiked this trail in December and was pleasantly surprised by the amount of fall foliage on the trees and trail.
Desert Wildlife is Common on Ojito Adentro
As the riparian fauna closes in around you, the potential to see wildlife such as mountain lions, deer, jackrabbits and javelina, lizards, and snakes (including copperhead & rattlesnake!) increases.
Note: Dogs are not allowed on this trail, and, while not strictly animals, be sure to keep any children close, especially at turns in the trail because you just never know what lies just around the river bend!
Birds, both native and migrating, frequent this trail and this is the place to be for ornithophiles. A long list of birds including red-tailed hawks, peregrine falcons, ladder-backed woodpeckers, greater road runners, Say’s phoebes, loggerhead shrikes and pyrrhuloxia have been reported on this trail.
Rock Scrambling is required to finish Ojito Adentro
At about .7 miles into the trail, the rock scrambling begins. You may be tempted to think this is the end of the trail, especially when you can see little trickles of water running under the rocks. But push on, trail warrior!
More and better rewards await on the other side.
For someone in good physical condition, the rock scrambling does not pose a big challenge. There’s a bit of bending and climbing required but my ten year old did it without any hiccups.
Push through until the trail terminates at a pour off, where there is absolutely no going further. Unless you’re a world class rock climber like Alex Honnold or something (and even then, don’t do that because rock climbing in BBRSP is a no-no).
Ojito Adentro Spring & Pour-off
Here you are greeted by a startling green oasis, which is the last thing you’d expect to find in the middle of a desert.
There is a large pool of water. Ferns and grapevines stretch out everywhere, greedy in their water rich environment. Along the backside of the spring, stalactites and stalagmites grow amidst the drip-drip of the water. This is the place to bring some binoculars, or a book and lunch, or all of the above.
Whatever you do, do not touch the water. Springs are a sensitive ecosystem and the plants and animals of this riparian zone depend on it. Absolutely do not fuck this up for them.
This spring is a rare gem and should be treated with the utmost respect. Look with your eyes but don’t touch with…well, anything. Leave no trace, motherfuckers.
After enjoying the glorious beauty of this wondrous place, be sure to collect all your shit (including trash and children) before hauling your ass back up the trail to the car.
Too Long: Didn’t Read;
You’ll find your mind and spirit rejuvenated by the beauty of the spring hidden at the end of Ojito Adentro. Drink it in (but not literally).
Would definitely recommend.
- A short and easy hike through beautiful terrain.
- Trail transitions from desert and mountain views to a surprisingly lush creek bed.
- After a bit of a rock scramble, you’ll discover a peaceful oasis hidden in a pour-off.
- Kid-friendly, so long as you keep an eye on them.
- Lots of wildlife in the area.
- Great for picnics.
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