Old and Bold Backpackers (55+)

Please do read the entire trip description before signing up. This is a 28 mile loop hike in the high desert of Big Bend Ranch State Park, the Rancherias Loop. This is a beautiful high desert hike with canyons, an old adobe ranch house and two springs for water.
1. 20 November - travel to the park to secure permits. First night will be in a front country site with no access to water. We will get water at the Ranger Station.
2. 21 November - hike through a box canyon and stay across from the adobe homestead with access to year-around water.
3. 22 November - this day will include a stop for water at the Rancherias Spring and continue on to a camp site with views of Guitarra Butte.
4. 23 November - hike out to our cars with a stop for showers and a meal in Study Butte before heading home. Please bring a towel, soap and a change of clothes.

Although we will have access to water please ensure you can carry 4 liters of water. I will stay in contact with the park to ensure that water will be available at the second spring. If there is no water then we will either divert the hike to Big Bend National Park or ensure everyone is willing to carry 5 liters of water.

We will have two cars so we can position one at each end of the hike. Please ensure you bring enough money to pay for your share of the permits, carpool costs, and any incidental costs. Everyone will be required to sign a waiver before the trip.

We are limited to FIVE people on the back country permit so please only sign-up if you are planning on going.

This is a relatively easy trip although you will be hiking up some pretty step trails in the Chisos Mountains with full packs and lots of water. There is no reliable water in the Chisos Mountains. You will need to carry 3-4 liters of water for the first leg of the hike. Please be prepared for cold weather although it is just as likely that we will have warm weather.

1. Friday, drive to BBNP and meet at the visitor center in the Chisos Basin. We will then hike to our site in the Chisos. Please ensure you leave the San Antonio area no later than 0530 AM.
2. Saturday, finish the Chisos Loop hike with an optional side trip to Emory Peak. This is a scramble, not a walk-up. We will come down from the Chisos to the Basin and fill up on water and perhaps lunch at the food truck in the Basin before heading out to the Chimneys for zone camping on the high desert.
3. On Sunday we will visit Castolon Historic District to fill-up on water and perhaps day hiking Santa Elena Canyon before heading out the Mule Ears for more zone camping on the high desert. We have the option of hitting Study Butte for showers before going out to Mule Ears. We will play this by ear. Please bring a towel, soap and a change of clothing in case we do hit the showers.
4. Monday, hike out and drive home.

We can work out the potential for carpooling once we get a little closer to the trip dates.

We will share the costs of the back country permit. Everyone is responsible for paying their own entry fees.

Everyone must sign a liability waiver for this trip; waivers will be sent out under separate cover. Sorry, but if you do not sign a waiver you cannot participate in the trip. If you have any questions please contact me.