Lower Burro Mesa Pour-Off Trail

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This one mile round trip trail is one of the best desert hikes for adventurers looking for an easy jaunt with a big payoff. If you’re fit enough to slog through a bit of sand, a very cool box canyon experience is closer than you think. The name may be a mouthful, and the typical … Read more

Boot Canyon Trail: Backcountry Beauty (and Bears)

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The canyon is lush, fertile and even occasionally boasts water depending on rainfall that year – it’s the perfect place for apex predators to lie in wait for unsuspecting prey (me). Maybe I was wigging out but all my instincts screamed “danger, danger, danger!” the first time I hiked this trail and for once, I … Read more

Dog Canyon Trail: Peaceful Desert Hiking in Big Bend

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This gentle 4-mile out-and-back journey immerses you in the stark beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert, revealing a dramatic canyon, unique rock formations, and a sense of peaceful isolation. I was on my way out of Big Bend National Park when I stopped at Dog Canyon for the final hike of my trip. I fucking hoped … Read more

Hiking The Rim: Epic Chisos Mountains Adventure

Panoramic view from atop a cliff, looking out over a rugged landscape with low-lying clouds.

I’d heard legendary stories on the internet of just how great Big Bend National park’s Rim hike is. (Insert childish tittering over its name here.) (Giggling continues about tittering.) And despite a cold, wet night camping in my car, I awoke early and excited to take on these fucking trails. I was up and at … Read more

Pinnacles Trail: A Stunning Path into the Chisos Mountains

A bright blue Mexican Jay perches on a log along Pinnacles Trail.

Pinnacles Trail is a challenging yet rewarding hike that leads into the heart of the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. The trail offers stunning views of desert landscape, grassland meadows, and piney forests, all while gaining 2,000 feet of elevation over 3.1 miles. I haven’t been a happy camper any time I’ve tackled … Read more

Laguna Meadow Trail: Access the Heart of the Chisos Mountains

View toward Blue Canyon from Laguna Meadow Trail.

There’s so much I wish I had known before hiking Laguna Meadow for the first time. Luckily, I can fill you in on everything I’ve learned since then! For starters, it’s one of the two trails that used to create “the Rim” loop. If you want to get high into the heart of the Chisos … Read more

East Rim Trail: A Hidden Gem in Big Bend National park

View from the East Rim

The East Rim Trail gets less hype than its prissy South Rim sister but, in my very humble opinion, it absolutely offers better views. In fact, I’d say it’s the best hike I have done in Big Bend National Park. The South Rim is fine and all, but in comparison, the East Rim offers even … Read more