Figured you guys would be the best guys/gals to ask. My 20 year old twin boys and I like to get a 3-4 day camping trip in during the christmas break from college. We have been talking about doing a backpack in trip in Texas. We are based west of Lake Travis and would like to get to some major hills/mountains. Love to get any suggestions. We are looking at Big Bend (haven't backpacked there in 30 years), but figure December could be pretty busy there. Preferably a one day drive, 2-3 day camp and one day drive back kind of thing.

Blair

If East Tennessee isn't too far, there are some great areas in the Smokies.

Course, I'm nuts and drive straight to/from without any stops when I'm visiting Texas.

zooguy96 said:

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If East Tennessee isn't too far, there are some great areas in the Smokies.

Course, I'm nuts and drive straight to/from without any stops when I'm visiting Texas.

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WOW, hard core. Tennessee is probably too far for this trip. That said, camping in the Smokies is awesome.

My last Big Bend trip was in December, and I don't remember it being too busy. I would definitely say that or Guadalupe.

I've also done an overnight backpacking trip to Lost Maples, but there's significantly less trail there than the parks mentioned above.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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My last Big Bend trip was in December, and I don't remember it being too busy. I would definitely say that or Guadalupe.

I've also done an overnight backpacking trip to Lost Maples, but there's significantly less trail there than the parks mentioned above.

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Guadalupe that time of year is WINDY. Might catch a good weather window, but it can be brutal.

December will be busy in big bend, but if you are truly backpacking, it won't be bad at all. Like anywhere, the crowds typically don't go into the backcountry.

You could also look at the Davis Mountains, but there's not much backcountry there. Its more like an overnight. Lots of hiking in the Franklins, but you aren't going to get that "away from it all" feeling.

Southern NM is driveable in a long day, but higher chance of some cold weather, though that's not out of the question in big bend either.

https://angellexpeditions.com/


https://bigbendfarflung.com/activities/



https://farwesttexasoutfitters.com/

AggieOO said:

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MyNameIsJeff said:

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My last Big Bend trip was in December, and I don't remember it being too busy. I would definitely say that or Guadalupe.

I've also done an overnight backpacking trip to Lost Maples, but there's significantly less trail there than the parks mentioned above.

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Guadalupe that time of year is WINDY. Might catch a good weather window, but it can be brutal.

December will be busy in big bend, but if you are truly backpacking, it won't be bad at all. Like anywhere, the crowds typically don't go into the backcountry.

You could also look at the Davis Mountains, but there's not much backcountry there. Its more like an overnight. Lots of hiking in the Franklins, but you aren't going to get that "away from it all" feeling.

Southern NM is driveable in a long day, but higher chance of some cold weather, though that's not out of the question in big bend either.

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Good suggestions. Big Bend seems like the best bet for this leg. Long ago you had to schedule a park ranger debrief before doing back country at BB. Is that still the case?

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Good suggestions. Big Bend seems like the best bet for this leg

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Big Bend has a pretty good variety of trails as well. . . .rivers, mountains, and desert.

I am just back from Guadalupe and while I love it has much fewer options. I would head down that way.

they will do it when you pick up your permit. it won't be a big deal since there are three of you. When you are going solo, they definitely want to spend more time with you to ensure they don't have to drag your ass out of the backcountry.

Buffalo River area in Arkansas great

You could even rent pack rafts. Hike in and paddle out

I just got a site in the basin that was randomly available. Guess someone canceled a weekend in big bend and I got to it first.

I noticed that the there were plenty of backcountry backpack sites available while I was looking at back country sites.

Guad mountains is another great choice. You can hike the loop trail and see a lot of cool views, and 2-3 nights of there is plenty. Weather will be highly variable but if you get the forecast and prepare appropriately it's almost always manageable.

Big bend ranch is another option. You can hike all over that park or drive to a spot and use it as a base camp for day hikes. Tons of trails and never many people, and if you have good maps and terrain skills, they actually are quite open to choosing your own trails within reason. Just leave it like you found it as you pass through.

The best nearby that I have done IMO would be the Eagle Rock Loop in Arkansas, Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend or the Chisos Mountain Loop if OML seems too tall of a task. If you do the OML budget for an entire extra day of caching water along the route but it at least gives you time to go by some of the main attractions to the park like Santa Elena Canyon