Hidden Valley Ranch Hike

Special Note:
You must have a Texas Limited Public Use Annual Permit.
Cost is $17. It may be purchased at any time because the email confirmation serves as the permit. Save an image of the email that shows the permit number on your phone. Do not buy the more expensive hunting permit.
https://www.txfgsales.com/Default.aspx

To register at Black Gap, please fill out the card at the beginning of your trip, tear along perforated edge, turn top half into box and keep bottom with you during your visit and turn in bottom half at the end of your stay.

If you did not register earlier, arrive early to complete the from and join us at the hike start.

The Hike:
We will follow a wash then pick up a 4X4 road. This leads thought gap in the mountains into an open valley. It is possible to get from here to Big Bend NP but it requires crossing the mountains or passing through private ranch land near the Rio Grande River.

HATs organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness level to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.

We hike about 3 MPH. This is faster than many walking groups.

Hike Safety:
This hike is in a very remote area of Texas. Medical attention is more than an hour away. Ambulance service may not be available. We will have an iPhone satellite transponder but that is untested within the canyon. Response from Brewster County can take over an hour. A rescue will take much longer.

The nearest hospital is in Alpine 1.5 hours away. Nearest medical center is in Odessa, three hours away.

Photos

Gathering Point:
Ranch Road 2627
Plus Code: 75XVG3HJ+2R
https://maps.app.goo.gl/67z2juyJnVNHx8AU7

About HATs and our hikes
https://www.hatsandmore.org/

What to You Need:
Hiking boots, water, snacks and a hat.

The desert environment will sap your water quickly. Both sun and wind will dry you out quickly even in cool weather. Bring ample extra water until you understand your consumption in the dry air.

Special Precautions:
Eye protective glasses or safety slip overs with you at all times.
Wear long pants and long sleeve shirts at all times.
Gaiters to protect pants from thorns.
Leather gloves are needed on some hikes that involve scrambling.

Safety glasses and leather gloves from Home Depot can be returned is not used.

Read the trip plan for more on this.

Bathrooms:
None

The Trail:
This hike starts in the arroyo where it crossed the ranch road. This part has not been scouted so there may be thorns or tough spots that require stepping out of the arroyo. We transition to a unused 4X4 road that has a rockslide blockage in the mountain gap that can be bypassed in the arroyo. After that it is a easy to follow double track.

The hike is full sun.

Weather:
Click Here

Hike Map:
In the photos.
Geolocated Maps:
Hidden Valley Ranch Hike Map

Hike Extra:
Anyone wanting a bit more adventure can enter "Right Turn" canyon and follow the wash as far as you can up into the hills.
About The Park:
Black Gap WMA

Previous trips to this area.
Black Gap Scouting Trip 2024
Black Gap Wildlife Management Area Scouting Trip 2021
Big Bend National Park Chisos Basin 2025
Big Bend National Park Camping 2018

More about where we hike:
Houston Area Hikes
List of hikes we have made