Big Bend is a spectacular park in the northern part of the Chihuahuan Desert in far west Texas. Emory Peak (7,825 feet/2,385 meters) is the highest mountain in the Park’s Chisos Mountains. The South Rim Loop is a spectacular loop trail that leads to Grand Canyon-esque views. I combined the two into a 16.4-mile hike with ~3,000 feet of elevation gain.
Here are the notes from my journal on that day:
The hike took about 8 hours, and it was great. I really enjoyed it. Emory Peak was fine. The best part was the last 50 feet, which was a 3rd/4th class scramble. There were a ton of bugs on top, so I didn’t stay up there for long, but the view was wonderful.
Next up was the highlight—the South Rim. Actually I first hit the northeast rim and then continued along to the southwest rim. Then I went on the Laguna Meadow Trail back down to the parking lot. It was 97 degrees in the parking lot when I got back.
Whew. Lots of neat rocks. Lots of neat views. An enjoyable time all around. A fantastic day in an incredible (and very underrated, in my opinion) national park.
And here are the pics.
The Chisos Mountains from my campsite.
A map of the trails in the Chisos Mountains, including Emory Peak and the South Rim.
Emory Peak
Casa Grande
Looking out through The Window from the hike up Emory Peak.
A big ol’ chunk of rock
A little deer
Looking back from the Emory Peak Trail to Chisos Basin and the start of the hike.
A hazy view from partway up Emory Peak
Me on the summit of Emory Peak
A rusty old quarter-incher on the summit of Emory Peak
Looking over at the lower of the two summits
Hiking toward the South Rim
A pinnacle en route to the South Rim
The view from the South Rim
Me and the edge of the South Rim
Me and the edge of the South Rim
The view from the South Rim
The view from the South Rim
A cave on the South Rim
The South Rim escarpment
The South Rim
Me and the South Rim
More from the South Rim
More from the South Rim
Blooming prickly pear on the South rim
Looking through The Window again
A blooming agave