Borderland Outdoors

The Contrabando Trail System within Big Bend Ranch State Park contains 25 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, equestrian use and primitive camping. World class vistas, unique geologic structures, and historic building sites can be seen within this area.

We will leave the El Paso/Las Cruces area Friday afternoon for the approximate 4 hour drive to Loma Paloma RV Park just east of Presidio, TX and next to the Rio Grande River where we will car or tent camp. Saturday morning we will set-up a car shuttle between the east and west trail-heads, a distance of 8 road miles. We will also register for the outing at the Warnock Visitor Center, and pay the appropriate fees. The town of Lajitas lies between the two trail heads.

The backpack will follow the west main trail, waterhole trail, and east main trail for a total distance of 10 miles. We will camp Saturday night at our water source the Contrabando Waterhole where an historic structure is located. Sunday morning we hike out to the cars and eat lunch/dinner in Lajitas prior to the drive home (optional).

Backpack rating: Easy, beginners welcome! I can help with your equipment. You can come over to my house and we can pack your backpack and discuss gear. Please call me; Mike 915-443-8226

Length: 10 miles with optional day hikes along the Dome Trail and Contrabando Creek after our camp is established.

Elevation Gain/Loss: 135 ft. West Contrabando trail head is at 2,485 ft. East Contrabando trail head is at 2,350 ft.

This is a short, 5 miles in, 5 out, easy backpack through the diverse Chihuahuan Desert along an excellent trail with very scenic views. There is little to no shade along the entire route. December is a good time of year to visit the park when the temperatures are mild.

No dogs are allowed within the back-country trails of Big Bend Ranch State Park and no ground fires are allowed.

As always come prepared for adverse weather conditions. A free-standing tent is recommended for this outing. Do not bring a hammock because there won't be an area to set it up. We will camp well away from the water source per park regulations.

Participants should be in good physical condition to attend any outing. Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement: Located in the "What we're about" section.
PLEASE! stay home if you are not feeling well

For safety reasons we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together. No one will be allowed to hike ahead at any time. If you are unwilling to comply with this please do not sign up. Thank-you

⚠️ WARNING⚠️
This is NOT A BEGINNER hike!!!

Type: Loop
Length: 9.1 miles ⚠️
Elevation gain: 3,421 ft ⚠️
Time to complete: 8-9 hours⛔️
Fee: $5 at trailhead or America the beautiful NP pass honored

This peak hike is DIFFICULT and TECHNICAL. We will summit the peak off trail. We will begin going off trail at the narrows. Please see the photos section for the 3D look of the trail There is bushwhacking, scrambling, and minor climbing throughout the trail. Because of this, I'm limiting the group size to ensure a smoother and safer experience for every one who participates. The views up top are amazing and worthwhile. This trail is not pet friendly.

We will meet at the Kohl’s/Starbucks off Red Road on the west side at 6:30 a.m. and leave sharply at 6:45 a.m. If you are from Las Cruces, we can meet at the Circle K off University Ave and Don Roser ( located off I-25) at 7:15 a.m. and Leave to the trail head at 7:30 a.m.

Due to the strenuous obstacles faced throughout the trail, participants should be in GOOD PHYSICAL CONDITION to attend this outing. Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement located under the "What we're about" heading.

For safety reasons we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together. No one will be allowed to hike ahead at any time. If you are unwilling to comply with this please do not sign up. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REMOVE YOU from the list.
Thank-you

What to bring
Day-hike gear, 3 LITERS OF WATER , hiking poles, snacks.

What to bring
Bring the 10 essentials located under the "What we're about" heading.

Tucked away in the vast, rugged landscapes of Big Bend Ranch State Park in Texas, Mexicano Falls is a hidden gem that offers visitors a serene retreat into nature. As one of the lesser-known waterfalls in the park, Mexicano Falls provides a tranquil and picturesque setting perfect for nature lovers, hikers, and photographers. Mexicano Falls is a beautiful waterfall that cascades down a rocky cliff into a clear pool below.

The plan is to leave EP Friday morning and drive to the Sauceda Ranger Station deep within the interior of the park. We will car-camp here Friday night. Saturday morning we drive about 5 miles further to a parking area where we will begin the backpack. Our destination is Rincon 1 campsite from which we can hike to the falls or camp at Mexicano Falls itself. This is an EXPLORATORY backpack having never been to either location. I have in the past, been to Sauceda Ranger Station and the Solitario. The drive to the ranger station is 27 miles on a rugged dirt road from highway 170. A high clearance vehicle is required.

We will initially stop at Ft. Leaton to obtain our permit and pay the associated fees.

Backpack Rating : Moderate
Length: 5 miles to the Rincon 1 campsite
Elevation Gain/Loss: 400 ft.
Our camp elevation is at 4,100 ft.
No pets please
No ground fires are allowed. Camp stoves only

This is not a beginner's backpack. This is a desert backpack into the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert. We will hike on old historic gravel roads. We will use the pool below the falls as our water source. There is little to no shade until we reach the falls.

The drive to Big Bend Ranch SP is about 5 hours from EP. Participants will meetup at Ft. Leaton on Friday. I will be leaving EP around 7am on Friday.

Participants should be in good physical conditions to attend this outing. Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement located under the "What we're about" heading.

For safety reasons we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together. No one will be allowed to hike ahead at any time. If you are unwilling to comply with this please do not sign up. Thanks

This is a strenuous backpack to one of the best campsites along the Southeast Rim of the Chisos Mountains within Big Bend National Park.

The plan is to leave EP Friday afternoon and drive to Study Butte, located just outside the park, and car or tent camp. Saturday morning we enter the park and drive to the Chisos Basin and the trailhead. We will be hiking up the Pinnacles Trail 8.6 miles to our campsite E4 which is situated right on the south rim. We camp here Saturday and Sunday night. Monday we pack up and hike down the Pinnacles Trail retracing our steps back to the cars for the drive home.

The East Rim Campsites are located along the northern edge of a high lava plateau overlooking the desert with stunning views all the way to Mexico.

Backpack rating: Strenuous up, Moderate down
Length: 17 miles, in and out utilizing the Pinnacles Trail
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1800 ft.
We will have all day Sunday to enjoy the views and hike along the rim or just relax.

All water must be carried, 1.5 gal. minimum. There is a spring along the route, Boot Spring, but its flow is intermittent and unreliable.
I will be continually checking with the park service about the status of Boot Spring. A flowing spring will make this outing much easier.

Pets are not allowed on any back-country trails
No ground fires are permitted, camp stoves only
All human waste must be packed out using a waste disposal kit
Hammocks are prohibited
All participants should have prior backpacking experience. This is NOT a beginners backpack.
There are no fees for this backpack. There is a $30 dollar per vehicle entrance fee unless you have a park pass.

Participants will meetup in Study Butte at our camping location on Friday.

Folks with an underlying medical condition should avoid moderate and strenuous outings. If you're feeling ill or sick for any reason, please stay home. Participants who RSVP yes also agree to the Release of Liability statement located under the "What we're about" section.

On all outings we hike together and support each-other as a group/team, with the leader in control and making the decisions. We stop, rest, eat, etc. together.

RSVP is closed for now. Please text me if you are interested in this outing or want more information. Thanks, Mike 915-443-8226