Hiking Big Bend Ranch State Park: Rancherias Loop Trail

[Luke Schmidt]

Companion forum thread to: Hiking Big Bend Ranch State Park: Rancherias Loop Trail

The Rancherias Loop Trail in Big Bend State Park is one of the last wild places in West Texas. With few visitors and stunning scenery, it is not to be missed.

[Kevin Scott]

Nice write up.  What month did you complete this hike?  I live in El Paso and the BB is a bit to hot to hike in the summer (at least for me…)

 

[HiLight]

Luke, well done. Thanks for giving some attention to this beautiful area. I’ve driven through the state park, but my trips to Big Bend country have been focused on the national park. The entire Big Bend area is filled with backpacking opportunities, as well as some 4WD trails worth the time. Many trails in the nearby national park are relatively untraveled, too. A hike into the Chisos Mountains is a real treat, and Terlingua is interesting.

Kevin, I’ve been to the area in November, 2013 and May, 2016.  The November trip was unseasonably wet, but that was a treat, as the desert greened up considerably, and water falls were active. The May trip was a bit of a scramble after my plans for Grand Canyon fell through. I didn’t mind the heat, but I would’ve enjoyed my time there more earlier in the year, as everything had dried up by then.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the report! Sounds pretty lonesome, which can be a good thing!

Bill

[Eugene Smith]

Love me some BBRSP.  Thanks for sharing here Luke.

The region feels like an extension of my stomping grounds in southern NM, but the distance away from any large urban areas really sets the park apart for northern Chihuahuan desert exploration.  I spent 5 days last October on my bike riding across the park and zig zagging around checking out other cool loops, such as the Solitario.  I’d do it all over again in October, or any month into early spring.

http://desertpaincave.blogspot.com/2016/09/bbrsp-belated-reflections-from-multi.html

[Ben C]

Nice report.  Hope to make it out that way some day,

 

[Will B]

I did the same route recently and found this info really helpful. Such a beautiful place. Thanks!

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