Headed out in 25 days, any one done it? If so, any advise?

What would you like to know?

The Dodson is tough. Lot's of ups and downs. Cache water at the Blue Creek Ranch. Filter water from Fresno Creek.

Here's an elevation profile:

thanks, sorry for the late reply.

What is the likelihood of there being water a fresno creek in mid December?

Also, I was thinking about caching water at the end of Juniper Canon Road, have you ever tried that? I know there is no bear box there, but i was going to just hide it in bushes.

Thoughts?

bump

bump. Looking at going in early march.

Helluva bump.....

It's been years since we went, but the best thing to do is ask the staff at the park where you can expect to find water. Take whatever distance into the trail they tell you and add 10 miles.

Those creeks are constantly changing, and ya don't wanna short yourself on water when you are 25 miles out into the desert.......trust me.

Rangers will tell you springs are not running, even if they are. Check big bend chat for spring reports. There's an entire forum devoted to the OML.

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thanks, sorry for the late reply.

What is the likelihood of there being water a fresno creek in mid December?

Also, I was thinking about caching water at the end of Juniper Canon Road, have you ever tried that? I know there is no bear box there, but i was going to just hide it in bushes.

Thoughts?

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Also, I know this post is old, but there is a bear box at juniper/Dodson.

Bigbendchat.com is a wonderful resource

I'm still happy to answer any questions. I've done the OML about a dozen times.

I would trust yellowpot, and I echo the suggestions for bigbendchat.

Hiking the South Rim in 2 weeks

Pinnacles/Boot up, and Laguna Meadows down

Can't wait, and thanks for the info posts

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Hiking the South Rim in 2 weeks

Pinnacles/Boot up, and Laguna Meadows down

Can't wait, and thanks for the info posts

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I've been half-ass planning the same thing at the same time. But it's really starting to look like it won't happen for me.

Is the outer mountain loop include boot canyon? A buddy and I did the south rim, boot canyon and Emory I believe on the same trek in 2008

Another poster was right, bring filtration but pack plenty of h20.

i brought a 100 oz bladder and 2 Nalgenes and was fine. I'm 6'4" and weighed about 195lbs at the time.

Is this a realistic itinerary:


arrive early Day 1, get permit. store water at wilson ranch. Eat one last big meal , hit the trail. Hike into chisos and spend night somewhere...NE campsites, maybe juniper spring campsite. 6-7 mile day

Day 2- up and go down Juniper Canyon, Dodson Trail, try to get to Fresno Creek by dinner time. Get water if it is flowing, camp there for the night. 9-10 mile day

Day 3- hike to Wilson ranch to replenish water, hike another couple miles or so up Blue Creek Canyon. Camp the night. 9-10 mile day

Day 4- hike to chisos trail head, big meal, go home. 6-7 mile day


also, I realize I will have to have 2-3 gallons of water with me when I start- what's the best way to transport that in a pack?

realistic? that all depends on the person, but i'd say yes for most people.

I've done it in as short as 2 days, but they were LONG days and i do all kinds of stupid endurance stuff. Water in Boot Canyon is pretty reliable, even if boot spring is not running. I usually get water there, to save weight going up that first day. Juniper spring is less reliable, but water is usually there. Then you can cache at dodson/juniper. Fresno is typically wet, but not always. And you can cache at Homer Wilson. Just read spring reports before you go, and take a little extra water with you. Also, if you get to a place you think you are going to refill water, and there's none, know which way is your shortest way out. You can't rely on this either, BUT typically in the bear boxes at Homer Wilson and Juniper, there will be water people don't use, and it is labeled as "free" or "for OML hikers." Obviously don't take anything that isn't clearly labeled as up for grabs.

Lastly, when you pass Homer Wilson, don't go too far up blue creek, b/c there aren't a lot of sites out of the wash as you get further up the creek. I'm sure you could find somewhere to pitch a tent, but the obvious places disappear.

oh, and as much as I know about Big Bend, which is a lot, yellowpot is still the expert. if he contradicts something i say, he's probably right.

That is a very doable schedule. Your first day will be long. It's an hour drive round trip to drop off water at homer wilson. But you should have time to get to a campsite, depending on how strong of a hiker you are. I would try for a campsite at boot canyon or Colima that first night so you don't have to back track to get to juniper canyon trail. If you can, I would get there a day earlier to cache water and get permits. That way you have a full first day in the trail and can go to the south rim. Your other days are good.
Two gallons of water has always gotten me to Fresno creek, which was never dry even in the drought of '11. If it's dry at the crossing, walk down stream. Boot springs is hit or miss on reliability, but the pools up stream should have water. Upper Juniper springs usually has water, you just have to search for it by following a pipe to where it comes out from under a rock.
There are a couple good campsites 1 mile and 2 miles past homer wilson. After that they are hard to come by. The climb up Blue creek canyon is tough.
Watch the weather. March can go either way. I've seen snow and 90s in the same week during March. Do not under estimate the heat out there. It's different than what you're used to. It will suck the moisture out of you.
Drink lots of water and take lots of pictures.

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Hiking the South Rim in 2 weeks

Pinnacles/Boot up, and Laguna Meadows down

Can't wait, and thanks for the info posts

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I've been half-ass planning the same thing at the same time. But it's really starting to look like it won't happen for me.

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Well, if you change your mind, we'll be the couple wearing Aggie gear. Probably around the 9th or 10th

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Is this a realistic itinerary:


arrive early Day 1, get permit. store water at wilson ranch. Eat one last big meal , hit the trail. Hike into chisos and spend night somewhere...NE campsites, maybe juniper spring campsite. 6-7 mile day

Day 2- up and go down Juniper Canyon, Dodson Trail, try to get to Fresno Creek by dinner time. Get water if it is flowing, camp there for the night. 9-10 mile day

Day 3- hike to Wilson ranch to replenish water, hike another couple miles or so up Blue Creek Canyon. Camp the night. 9-10 mile day

Day 4- hike to chisos trail head, big meal, go home. 6-7 mile day


also, I realize I will have to have 2-3 gallons of water with me when I start- what's the best way to transport that in a pack?

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Man that's a lot, but I'm taking a little under 2 gallons with the following:
TWO 1 liter army canteens on my belt
TWO 1.5 liter water bottles in mesh pockets on my pack
ONE 1.5 liter bottle of Smart Water in the cargo compartment of my pack

That's around 6 1/2 quarts

Of course, I am only spending one night. Will truck on up Emory peak on day one.

I never do camel backs. I just drink out of water bottles.

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Quote:Hiking the South Rim in 2 weeks

Pinnacles/Boot up, and Laguna Meadows down

Can't wait, and thanks for the info posts

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I've been half-ass planning the same thing at the same time. But it's really starting to look like it won't happen for me.

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Well, if you change your mind, we'll be the couple wearing Aggie gear. Probably around the 9th or 10th

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If I'm lucky, I'll make it out early next week.

Headed out Saturday

Might get wet

Apologies for stretching this thread further.
I did get to go, got back this evening. I went with my nine year old son.
Unfortunately, these trips help remind me how under-conditioned I am for these types of adventures. But it was about as good a trip as I could have hoped for.
I didn't expect the basin campground to be full, but I have never arrived after the ranger stations close. Our options were either Rio Grande Village campground setting up in the dark, or a room in the lodge. I tried the long shot of happening across you, texasaggie89, in the basin campground by looking for an Aggie sticker or emblem on vehicles but obviously that failed. That didn't feel half as weird as it sounds now that I've typed it out. In the interest of time for a morning departure for our hike, I opted for the wussier room in the lodge, last one they told me-an ADA room.
In the morning, after arranging a site for the second night, We set out to hit Emory Peak AND the south rim. We only got to Emory Peak. Even though we didn't hit the true top, we are pretty happy about making to where we did.

I'm still quite sore, but my mind is already trying to sort through all the things I want to do next time, whenever that may be.

How is big bend camping wise in November, December and February?

I showed up at the basin campground after dark on a January night when a cold front had just come through. We just parked in the parking lot and slept in the bed of the truck in our sleeping bags. It was one of those nights where we cinched up our mummy bags so that our mouths were the only part of our bodies exposed to the elements. We woke up and our water bottles were frozen.
It was getting down to about 28 in the mountains that trip. We only had 32 degree bags, but as long as we were layered, in our sleeping bags, and in our tent (not in the back of the truck) we were fine. I really enjoyed going in the middle of winter. I have a 20 degree bag now that I think will be much more comfortable on my next winter trip to the bend.

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How is big bend camping wise in November, December and February?

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That's prime time!

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How is big bend camping wise in November, December and February?

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What's the weather like I really wanna take the wife out there for a Friday Saturday Sunday camping trip and take the telescope to look at stars.

We have both been really wanting to go but have no clue where to begin or what we should see with that little of time

Glad you bumped the thread, and glad you made it out there.

We arrived Oct. 10, camped on the SE Rim, came down Oct. 11

The experience was nothing short of spectacular! Just awesome. No other way to describe it.

The views, the scenery, the challenge -- just about as good a 2 day vacation as you could want.

And yes, met several nice Aggies on the trail. Must've been the open weekend, because a lot of ticket holders were out there! Other than the beautiful surroundings, Bama was on EVERYONE's mind!

I HIGHLY encourage anyone who is physically capable to make that trip at least once in their life.

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What's the weather like I really wanna take the wife out there for a Friday Saturday Sunday camping trip and take the telescope to look at stars.

We have both been really wanting to go but have no clue where to begin or what we should see with that little of time

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Aggie_3,

Here is a page with several Big Bend weather stations, and a climate summary. October-April is the busy season, with November-March probably being the busiest. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break are jam packed

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/weather.htm

If it is your first trip, I suggest a day hike on the Lost Mine Trail. 4 miles, 1200 feet elevation gain, beautiful hike. Best hiking bang for the buck in the park

If you like it, go back another time and do an overnighter on the Rim. You'll never forget it

Other things in the park you will want to do on your first trip are Santa Elena Canyon, and the Hot Springs/Sierra Del Carmen area, in that order....

Emory Peak is another great idea, and in my opinion is best done as a stand alone day hike, but could be done in conjunction with the South Rim. Just make sure you allow enough time if you do both

Taking the telescope? Definitely not practical to take it up on the rim, but I am sure there are plenty of spots in the park that would provide great viewing. Somewhere in the basin, perhaps. Or hell, just drive up to the McDonald Observatory at Fort Davis and use one of their huge telescopes

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I'm still happy to answer any questions. I've done the OML about a dozen times.

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Bookmarked this page for future reference. Now that I've done the South Rim, I am itching to go back and try the big one, if I'm not too old

Thanks for all the info