Trail
: Big Bend National ParkTrail Rating : Interesting trail. Long enough for a good run, mixed surface for a challenge.
Description : Big Bend National Park is a winter park. Most visitors avoid the summer because it is desert and hot. While they advertise the park as having three distinct habitats, in reality it is all desert. The Rio Grande River forms the southern boundary of the park, thus the river habitat. There are a number of mountains in the park, thus the mountain habitat. And, there is the desert. It's all arid and dry, hot in summer. There are numerous trails in the park Some mountainous, and some rolling, but none flat.
Length : 12 Miles- Strawhouse Trail- Out and back. You can make a loop by connecting with the Telephone Canyon trail which is the trail That Strawhouse "T's" into, and then taking the service road back to the main road an then back tothe start. I would not advice this in summer as the loop length is probably about 24 miles, and there is no water.
Footing : The trail alternates between hard packed sand, loose gravel in the washes, and a little bolder hopping through a great canyon.
Terrain Profile : The trail is uphill on the way out. The rise is gentle 2-4%. Overall you will go up about 300 feet over the 6 miles out leg.
Water Availability : Carry it. Available at camp ground.
Access : Parking area a trail head in Boquillas Canyon, just beyond the Rio Grande Village.
Other Users : Horses, but saw none.
Nearest City : El Paso,TX
Driving Directions : U.S. 90 east to Marathon, turn south on Rt 385, this runs into the park. At the ranger station at Panther Junction Turn left to Rio Grande Village, 1 mile before the villafe turn left toward Bouquillas Canyon. Parking area is just past the overlook.
Latitude : N 29.2 Degrees
Longitude :W 102.93 Degrees
Altitude : 1947 ft