Pinnacles Trail - Big Bend • Hike • Texas • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Nov 06 2025

DixieFlyer

Guides 98
Routes 1,548
Photos 16,281
Triplogs 1,437

male

Joined Jan 07 2017
Fountain Hills,

Emory Peak Trail

Big Bend, TX

Emory Peak Trail

Big Bend, TX

Hiking		Nov 06 2025
		DixieFlyer • Triplogs 1,437

Hiking	9.95 Miles	2,544 AEG

Hiking	9.95 Miles	5 Hrs 39 Mns	1.97 mph
	2,544 ft AEG	36 Mns Break

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Pinnacles Trail - Big Bend

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

This was a hike to the summit of Emory Peak (elevation of 7,833 feet and prominence of 4,498 feet). Emory Peak is the most prominent peak in Texas, the high point of Big Bend National Park, and the high point of Brewster County. In terms of area, Brewster County is the largest county in Texas and the 38th largest county in the Continental US.

I started and ended the hike at the Chisos Basin TH. The hike is class 1 on well marked trails until about the last 25-30 feet of vertical, which was a legitimate class 3 scramble. It took a bit of route finding to find a relatively safe way up. There were great views at the summit, so I enjoyed a lunch break while up there. Another hiker was up there and she was a bit apprehensive about the descent off the summit block, so I made sure that she got back down in one piece.

This was an enjoyable hike and I am glad that I was able to do this one!

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Civilization is a nice place to visit but I wouldn't want to live there

3 archives

Feb 08 2021

WaitingForRain

Photos 5
Triplogs 1,079

female

Joined Oct 04 2012
Phoenix, AZ

Pinnacles Trail - Big Bend

Big Bend, TX

Pinnacles Trail - Big Bend

Big Bend, TX

Hiking		Feb 08 2021
		WaitingForRain • Triplogs 1,079

Hiking	5.40 Miles	1,809 AEG

Hiking	5.40 Miles	2 Hrs 37 Mns	2.06 mph
	1,809 ft AEG

no routes

no photosets

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presumably took memories and left without a trace...

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Feb 26 2020

jhauglie

Triplogs 7

62 male

Joined Feb 07 2015
Surprise, AZ

Homer Wilson Blue Creek Ranch Trail

Big Bend, TX

Homer Wilson Blue Creek Ranch Trail

Big Bend, TX

Hiking		Feb 26 2020
		jhauglie • Triplogs 7

Hiking	10.00 Miles	90 AEG

Hiking	10.00 Miles	8 Hrs	1.25 mph
	90 ft AEG

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Blue Creek Trail

Dodson Trail

Pinnacles Trail - Big Bend

Juniper Canyon Trail - Big Bend NP

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Day three of the Outer Mountain Loop, Big Bend NP. We started off from the ridge we had hunkered down on for the second night and reached the Homer Wilson Ranch after about a 2/2.5-mile hike. We had cached water at the ranch before departing so we had plenty of that, and in fact left a gallon in the bearbox because we were still plenty full from the day before (Fresno Wash). There were no signs prohibiting camping near the ranch house itself, and with the terrain being what it is, we all agreed that if we had made it to the ranch area it would have been preferred to the windswept ridge where we camped on the second night.
Coming up the Blue Creek Trail is largely spent in the dry riverbed for about 1-2 miles, which pass through gorgeous rock formations and hoodoos. Once you are past the hoodoos, the trail climbs slowly until you reach the 4-mile point, at which it begins to climb steeply (thus again proving that what goes down, must go up eventually). The views, however, are spectacular, and the trail is clearly in better condition than either Dodson or Juniper Canyon. At the 6.5/7 mile point, the trail reaches the ridge and there's several intersections that immediately present themselves (as well as a chemical toilet). The remainder of the hike to the end of the loop is on the Laguna Meadows trail, and while there are some uphill sections, you have clearly done the bulk of the work already.

Total for the Outer Mountain Loop as we did it: 34 miles

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May 11 2019

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 1,000
Photos 12,249
Triplogs 880

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Emory Peak and Rim Loop, TX

Hiking		May 11 2019
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 880

Hiking	16.64 Miles	3,909 AEG

Hiking	16.64 Miles	8 Hrs 18 Mns		2.46 mph
	3,909 ft AEG	1 Hour 32 Mns Break	15 LBS Pack

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Emory Peak Trail

Pinnacles Trail - Big Bend

Laguna Meadow Trail

South Rim Trail - Big Bend

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On the second day at Big Band National Park I did the loop trail. This 16.7 mile loop is made up of the Pinnacles Trail, Boot Canyon Trail, South and East Rim Trails and the Laguna Meadow Trail with a side trip to Emory Peak. All the trails are in excellent condition and well marked. With almost 4000 feet of AEG this hike didn't feel like it, I think it was due to the good condition of the trails and the generous use of switchbacks. There are views in all directions from various points along this hike with Emory Peak offering all directions in one place. From the Rim Trails there are great views of the Rio Grand River to the south.

If you are ever in the area I recommend this park for hikes that won't disappoint. When I say in the area I mean within 200 miles because there isn't much around that would bring you much closer. The west side of the park has lodging, nothing fancy but satisfactory with at least two restaurants.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Boot Rock Casa Grande Peak Chilicotal Mountain

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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