Prickly Pair Hike ~11.7 Miles

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 form and join us at the hike start.

Black Gap is closed for hunting the day following this hike.
This is the last hike for the trip, I plan on packing up camp and going to Alpine for Friday night to find a hot shower and a good dinner.

The Hike:
New Routing
The walk follows 4X4 road over the rolling desert revealing new vistas over every rise and around every bend. At two locations we will attempt to walk across the desert to get views into the Maravillas Canyon from the top. There is no path to the overlooks. We will make our own and may not be able to get all the way.

The distance is the maximum. We may choose to skip one of the excursions to save time.

See the hike map for details.

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. No one will be left behind or alone.

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. Response from Brewster County can take well over an hour. A rescue will take much longer.

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

Photos

Gathering Point:
Black Gap Tour Road (2WD)
At the intersection of the Camp 9 road. This may not have a sign.
Plus Code: 75XVH4X3+W8
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kSw3BALSyfqBefj58

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 even quicker. Bring ample extra water until you understand your consumption in the dry air.

Special Precautions:
Every thing in the desert is designed to poke you and this hike crosses bare desert.

Eye protection is highly recommended.
Long pants and long sleeve shirts at all times.
Gaiters to protect pants and legs from thorns highly recommended.

Read the trip plan for more on this.

Bathrooms:
None

The Trail:
This hike is mostly on a good 4X4 road. Parts are bare desert. Full sun.

Weather:
Click Here

Hike Map:
In the photos.
Geolocated Maps:
Prickly Pair Hike Map

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