Big Bend NP, 3 Day, 2 Night, East Rim, Chisos Basin, Backpack, MLK Long Weekend

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