Black Gap Scouting Trip - Canyon and Desert Hikes
Details
This is an “And More” trip. Meaning it is NOT our usual type of hiking. Read the full description.
Hikes will be published as they are developed. There are no hiking trails in the area. Some walks will be in canyons and/or on 4X4 roads. Some will be free-hiking across the desert in places we have never been before. We will be flexible and keep our sense of exploration open to changes.
We are planning a day trip for the long drive to Big Bend. There is an unmarked trail in mind. But the hike is open to suggestions and consensus.
Getting off the waitlist:
Everyone initially goes on the waitlist. We will move people to the going list based in the number of seats in 4x4 vehicles. First consideration is given to regular local hikers.
Getting around the park.
There are mostly high clearance roads to get to the hiking areas.
Each rider must contribute towards gas money for 4X4 drivers. Suggestion is a minimum of $20 each.
Seven Day Forecast
Forecast for mobile devices
Hourly Forecast
Major Hike Maps
Explore Hike Maps
What you need to hike here:
- Safety glasses are a must. Your regular glasses are insuficint.
- Boots with thick soles. Thorns penetrate light soles. Ankles need protection from rocks.
- Gaiters that go over the calf. To keep pant legs and your legs from getting shredded.
- Pig skin gloves. If you put an unprotected hand down on a cactus or sharp rock, it will hurt. Cotton or deerskin are insufficient.
- Wear long pants and long sleeves at all times.
Glasses and gloves are available at Home Depot.
Slip over safety glasses
All safety glasses
Pig Skin Gloves
The only thing anticipated by this list that didn't happen on the 2021 trip was an eye poke. But we had a close call on that. Even good hiking boots had thorn penetrations.
Trekking poles are recommended when hiking in the desert, you do NOT want to fall here.
About the terrain
There are no trails in Black Gap. Hikes will be on roads, canyons and across wild desert. Crossing the desert it is often hard to find a place to set down a foot between the rock and cactus.
The desert air will suck the water from your body. If it is windy it will be hard to stay hydrated.
This trip will not have a mountain climb.
About Black Gap:
The Black Gap Wildlife Management Area is 103,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert with 25 miles of frontage on the Rio Grande river. It serves as wildlife habitat to support the reintroduction of native desert bighorn sheep. The terrain is similar to that of the desert in the neighboring Big Bend National Park.
WMA is only fully open to visitors for a limited periods in the winter. There are no trails so exploring the area is primarily done by free-hiking in the desert. Camping is primitive. See the WMAs web site for full details.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=2