Big Bend Hiking and
Rio Grande Canoeing Tour
An Inn & Camping Hiking and Canoeing Adventure in the Mountains and Desert of West Texas
Big Bend National Park, named for the great turn the Rio Grande River makes in southwest Texas, is
America’s least visited national park due to its remote location. This vast and extraordinary Park contains
three natural divisions: the Rio Grande with its 118 miles of lush, green floodplain; the sprawling
Chihuahuan Desert and the majestic Chisos Mountain Range. The Park boasts more than 450 species of
birds and a diverse range of mammals from black bears and mountain lions to javelinas and jackrabbits.
Join us for this week-long glimpse into the splendors of the “Last Frontier of Texas” as we hike to the rim of
the Chisos Mountains and canoe along the Mexican border through magnificent Santa Elena Canyon.
Day 1. Shuttle from El Paso to Marathon via the
Davis Mountains and Visit Fort Davis National
Historic Site, Gage Hotel (800-884-4243 or 432-3864205, www.gagehotel.com / private bath)
We depart at 9:00 a.m. from El Paso after
introductions and head for the west Texas town of
Marathon. The drive takes us across the mesquite and
yucca-covered Chihuahuan Desert before we ascend into
the Davis Mountains. The most extensive mountain
range in Texas, the Davis Mountains consist of plains
grasslands and pinyon, juniper and oak woodlands.
The drive is broken up with a stop at Fort Davis
National Historic Area. Named after Jefferson Davis,
U.S. Secretary of War and later President of the
Confederacy, the Fort is one of America's best surviving
examples of an Indian Wars' frontier military post. From
1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to
protect emigrants, mail coaches, and freight wagons on
the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail,
and to control activities along the Comanche and
Mescalero Apache war trails.
Twenty-four roofed buildings and over 100 ruins
and foundations are part of Fort Davis National Historic
Site today. Five of the historic buildings have been
refurnished to the 1880s, making it easy for us to
envision ourselves at the fort during its heyday.
We conclude the day with a warm west Texas
welcome dinner at the historic Gage Hotel in Marathon.
 Shuttle from El Paso to Marathon, Texas via the Davis
Mountains [five hours, including a brief lunch stop]

Visit to Fort Davis National Historic Site [one hour]
Day 2. Hike Lost Mine and The Window Trails, Big
Bend National Park, Chisos Mountains Lodge (432477-2291, www.chisosmountainslodge.com / private
bath)
After breakfast we set out for Big Bend National Park.
Keep your eyes peeled during the drive as roadrunners
and quail scurry across the road and turkey vultures eye
us from the fence posts along the highway.
Our hike this morning on the Lost Mine Trail provides
an excellent opportunity to see the diverse flora of the
Chisos Mountains. We see Mexican pinyon pine and
drooping juniper, the unusual alligator juniper, several
species of oak, Texas madrone, stipa and grama grass,
fragrant ash and sumac, ocotillo, sotol, agaves and
lechuguilla. Midway through the ascent the trail affords
excellent views of Casa Grande, Toll Mountain, and the
Northeast Rim of the Chisos Mountains. After a series
of switchbacks the trail follows a ridgeline which divides
Pine and Juniper Canyons and has excellent views of the
Sierra del Carmen Range in Mexico. Our lunch spot at
the end of the ridge also provides views of the Elephant’s
Tusk and Lost Mine Peak, one of the highest summits in
the Chisos.
For those with the energy and desire for another hike,
this afternoon we tackle the Windows Trail from its
starting point near the Chisos Mountains Lodge. The
trail leads to the Window, a narrow rock canyon formed
by Oak Creek as it cuts through the Chisos Mountains
and provides the only drainage from the Basin. The trail
ends at the Window Pour-off, plummeting 220 feet to the
desert below. The Window frames panoramic desert
vistas and enhances spectacular scarlet sunsets. Listen
for the melody of the canyon wren and the loud squawks
of the cactus wren and Mexican jay during this hike.
You may also see rock squirrels, rusty-rumped whiptail
lizards, white-tailed deer and javelina, or collared
peccary. Many of the plants and animals once covered
the entire Big Bend area but are now “relict species”,
confined to this mountain island by the unsuitable habitat
in the desert below.
Our home away from home for the next two
evenings is the Chisos Mountains Lodge, set
For Reservations and Information call 800-488-8483 or Reserve 24 hours a day at www.TheWorldOutdoors.com
Renowned for Extraordinary Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures since 1988
Address: 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite F Boulder, CO 80301
Fax: 303-413-0926
Email: fun@TheWorldOutdoors.com
spectacularly below the ring of mountains in the Chisos
Basin.



Shuttle to Big Bend National Park [1-1/2 hours]
Hike the Lost Mine Trail [4.8 miles round trip, 1,090 feet
of elevation gain/then loss on the return, 3-1/2 hours
including lunch]
Hike the Window Trail, optional second hike for the day
[5.2 miles round trip, 985 feet of elevation loss/then gain
on the return, 3-1/2 hours]
Day 3. Hike Pinnacle and Boot Canyon Trails to the South
Rim with reurn via the Laguna Meadows Trail, Big Bend
National Park, Chisos Mountains Lodge
Today’s hike is probably the classis hike of Texas. We hike
from the lodge and ascend the shady Pinnacles Trail en route
to the South Rim, a sheer escarpment on the south edge
of the Chisos Mountains that drops 2,500 feet to the
desert wilderness below. The trail climbs steeply in a
series of switchbacks through oaks, pines, junipers and
madrone trees to a high saddle between Toll Mountain
and Emory Peak, highest in the Park at 7,825 feet.
The trail then levels off to an overlook with
excellent views of Boot Canyon and of the Boot itself, a
rock spire in the shape of an upside-down cowboy boot.
Next is Boot Spring, a natural trickle of water, that we
follow most of the rest of the way to the South Rim. The
Rio Grande, almost a vertical mile below and far to the
south, and the mountains of Mexico are seen from our
lunch spot on the Rim. This is arguably one of the finest
views to be had anywhere in Texas.
Our descent back into the Chisos Basin is along the
more gradual Laguna Meadows Trail. The first mile of
the return continues to afford grand views of the
Chihauhuan Desert and the green stripe of the Rio
Grande River floodplain. We continue along beneath the
rocky talus slopes of Emory Peak and through the grassy
flats of Laguna Meadow before returning to the Lodge
and the cool beverage of your choice.

Hike the Pinnacles and Boot Canyon Trails to the South
Rim of the Chisos Mountains and return via the Laguna
Meadows Trail [12.6 miles; 1,875 feet of elevation
gain/loss, 7-8 hours including lunch]
Day 4. Canoe the Rio Grande River, Camping at the
entrance to Santa Elena Canyon
We meet our canoeing guide at the Far Flung
Outdoor Center in Terlingua this morning for the start of
our two-day canoe trip down the Rio Grande River. We
put in at the town of Lajitas and paddle gently for 11
miles to the head of Santa Elena Canyon, the first of
three major canyons as the river flows for 118 miles
along the southern border of the Park. The river flows
slowly beneath walls of white limestone layers intruded
with brown volcanic rhyolite. Periodic small but fun
Class I rapids keep you alert throughout the trip. Watch
for black vultures, turkey vultures and kestrels circling in
the skies above and spot the mud turtles as they slide
down the banks into the river.
You quickly gain an appreciation for the nearimpossible task of policing the seemingly endless border
in this very remote wilderness. You’re likely to see
horses bathing in the river and illegally “trespassing”
into the Park from Mexico.
We stop late in the afternoon and camp on either the
U.S. or Mexican (no passport necessary) side of the
River just above the entrance to spectacular Santa Elena
Canyon. If time allows, take a hike up to the canyon rim
for a terrific view of what lies ahead tomorrow.
Tonight we enjoy a barbecue and a dutch-oven
dessert as we camp beneath the star-filled skies of Big
Bend. With no light pollution, the show is truly
amazing.
[Note: The water in the Rio Grande is typically not
much more than waist deep. In the event of higher,
faster moving water, we may elect to raft rather than
canoe for reasons of guest safety. The Rock Slide Rapid
on Day 5 can be quite challenging in a canoe in high
water.]


Canoe the Rio Grande River [11 miles, 6-1/2 hours
including lunch]
Hike from the camp site to an overlook of Santa Elena
Canyon, optional [1-2 miles roundtrip, 700 feet of
elevation gain/loss, 1 to 1-½ hours]
Day 5. Canoe the Rio Grande River through Santa
Elena Canyon, Ten Bits Ranch (866-371-3110,
www.tenbitsranch.com / private bath)
Today is the signature day of canoeing. We launch
immediately into Santa Elena Canyon, with the walls
initially towering 700 feet above and ultimately rising to
nearly 1500. Soon after entering the Canyon we reach
Rock Slide Rapid, the canyon’s most challenging. After
Scouting, we pick our route through (it’s also possible to
walk around the rapid, “ghost boating” the canoes
through). The next few miles are fabulous as we float
beneath the sheer walls of the narrow canyon and past
several house-sized boulders.
Immediately after passing Wall Arch we stop for
lunch and a side trip up Fern Canyon. Fern Canyon is
several hundred feet deep and very narrow. The
limestone along the canyon floor is polished a luminous
white from millennia of intermittent flash floods. Shady
pools retain water from previous floods, and a fresh
spring nourishes a lush garden of maidenhair and wood
ferns.
The final two miles provide some of the highest
walls and best photo opportunities of the trip. After
taking out just below the Canyon’s mouth, we drive for
an hour to the Far Flung Adventure Center and then take
a short shuttle to Ten Bits Ranch, our West Texas home
for the final two nights.
Weather permitting, our hostess, Jennifer, will serve
dinner tonight around the open firepit. Then sit back and
relax and enjoy an evening of star gazing in the vast
West Texas skies.
For Reservations and Information call 800-488-8483 or Reserve 24 hours a day at www.TheWorldOutdoors.com
Renowned for Extraordinary Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures since 1988
Address: 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite F Boulder, CO 80301
Fax: 303-413-0926
Email: fun@TheWorldOutdoors.com




Canoe the Rio Grande River through Santa Elena Canyon
[9 miles, 6 hours including lunch]
Hike in Fern Canyon [1/2 mile round trip, 30-45 minutes]
Day 6. Interpretive Hike at Ten Bits Ranch and
Chimney Trail Hike, Ten Bits Ranch
We follow breakfast with a 2-1/2 hour guided walk
led by ranch owner and paleontologist, Steve Wick. This
is an easy hike which focuses on Big Bend’s geologic
and archeological history. It’s a great way to experience
the wonders of Big Bend’s fiery volcanic past and to see
75 million-year-old dinosaur fossils.
This afternoon we shuttle to the trailhead for the
Chimneys Trail. This is a relatively easy hike to a series
of prominent volcanic dike formations in the scenic
western end of the park. The "chimneys" have always
been an important landmark and Indian rock art can be
found along the base of these high pinnacles.
Our farewell dinner tonight will be at the Starlight
Theatre Restaurant and Bar in historic Terlingua Ghost
Town. Originally constructed in the 1930's as the Chisos
Movie Theater, entertainment was provided for the
residents of Terlingua during the heyday of quicksilver
(mercury) mining. When the mines went bust in the late
1940s, the theater was abandoned. Years later, the
roofing materials were sold as scrap and the building
began deteriorating.
When modern "pioneers"
(naturalists, river guides, musicians, and artists) began to
re-populate the Terlingua area, the theater found its
calling once again as a gathering place for locals. The
roofless venue provided space for parties, jam sessions
and dances, as well as theatrical productions. The roof is
now back in place and the Starlight provides a great
West Texas atmosphere for the conclusion of our trip.
2-1/2 hour interpretive hike at Ten Bits Ranch
Hike the Chimneys Trail (4.8 miles round trip, relatively
flat)
Day 7. Shuttle from Ten Bits Ranch to El Paso with
hike in Closed Canyon, Big Bend Ranch State Park
We begin the day with a short shuttle through the
rugged beauty of Big Bend Ranch State Park. A short
hike takes us into Closed Canyon, a deep, narrow slot
canyon cutting through Colorado Mesa to the Ro Grande.
The canyon winds through walls of volcanic welded tuff
and narrows to less than ten feet in spots. We ultimately
stop at the beginning of a series of steep pour-offs.
We break up our shuttle through the Chihuahuan
Desert today with a lunch stop in Marfa, Texas. The
movie Giant first brought attention to this small west
Texas town when the Hotel Paisano played host to the
cast of James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson.
Thanks to Donald Judd, an American sculptor who
established the Chinati Foundation here, Marfa is today a
budding artist community.
We return to El Paso by 5:00 p.m. and bid you
“hasta luego” until we see you on another adventure with
The World Outdoors


Shuttle from Ten Bits Ranch to El Paso with lunch in
Marfa [7 hours including an hour for lunch]
Hike in Closed Canyon in Big Bend Ranch State Park [1.4
miles round trip, 80 feet of elevation loss/gain, one hour]
Tour Details
Trip Type: Inn & Camping
Trip Length: 7 days/6 nights
2013 Departure Dates: November 17-23; custom dates available upon request
2014 Departure Dates: February 16-22, October 12-18; custom dates available upon request
Price: $3298 per person
Single Supplement: $625
Tent, Sleeping Bag and Pad: Included
Trip Rating: Moderate
Activities: hike (3-1/2 days), canoe (2 days), historic fort visit (1 hour)
Gateway City: El Paso, Texas
Gateway City Transfer: From El Paso International Airport (ELP) – The airport is within a 5-10 minute taxi ride of many El Paso
hotels with taxi service available outside the exit from the terminal building. Check with your hotel regarding the availability of
complimentary shuttle service to and from the airport.
Meeting Time and Place: 9:00 a.m. on Day 1 at your hotel
Trip Conclusion: Approximately 5:00 p.m. at El Paso International Airport or area hotels. If you are flying out on Day 7, it is important
that airline departures be scheduled for no earlier than 6:30 p.m. out of El Paso.
For Reservations and Information call 800-488-8483 or Reserve 24 hours a day at www.TheWorldOutdoors.com
Renowned for Extraordinary Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures since 1988
Address: 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite F Boulder, CO 80301
Fax: 303-413-0926
Email: fun@TheWorldOutdoors.com
Trip Fees Include: All meals (Day 1 lunch-Day 7 lunch), accommodations (double occupancy), T-shirt, water bottle, national and state park
entrance fees, all necessary equipment for the canoe and camping trip including tent, sleeping bag and pad, life jacket, and dry bag, support
vehicle, and professional guides.
Trip Fees Exclude: Airfare, personal insurance, miscellaneous hotel expenses (phone, fax, laundry, etc.), services not specified in the
tour itinerary, and guide gratuities (an appropriate gratuity to each trip leader is $75-$100 per guest if the service has been excellent).
The Next Step…
References Don’t take our word for it that The World Outdoors trips are the finest in the adventure travel industry. Ask our past guests.
Call about any of our trips and we’ll be happy to refer you to someone who’s been there with us.
The Best Value in Active Travel Guarantee: We commit to you that all of our trips are of the highest quality at the best value. If you find
a trip of equal quality that matches our itinerary and inclusions at a lower fare within 30 days of booking your trip with us, we will gladly
refund the difference. A simple guarantee that assures you of the best trip at the best fare!
How do I join this trip? Call The World Outdoors at (800) 488-8483 and a Trip Consultant will reserve your space(s) or register online at
www.TheWorldOutdoors.com. Your travel agent can also book your trip at no extra cost and provide other helpful assistance.
Special Requests: If you have any special dietary needs or any special request that will make your trip more enjoyable, please be sure to notify your Trip
Consultant or travel agent upon booking.
Then Leave the Rest to Us... Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including your reservation
payment receipt and confirmation, travel insurance application, suggestions for preparing for your trip, a packing list, information on preand post-trip arrangements, a guest questionnaire and a liability release agreement.
Travel Protection: To make your trip with The World Outdoors even more carefree, we strongly recommend the purchase of our travel
insurance plan. Offering comprehensive coverage and peace of mind, our travel insurance plan is designed to protect you in case of lost
or damaged luggage, a sudden illness or death in the family, emergency medical expenses and transportation costs, and flight delays.
We’d be happy to arrange travel insurance coverage for you, so contact us at (800) 488-8483 with any questions.
How do I book airfare for this trip? Call our in-house travel agent, Sherry Marriner, at 800-488-8483 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mountain Time Monday through Friday or you can email her at sherrym@theworldoutdoors.com. Sherry is also available to assist you
with pre- and post-lodging needs. If Sherry is unavailable and your needs are urgent, please call Frosch Travel, a local travel agency, at
800-538-7461 and ask for Georgia (ext 251) or email her at Georgia.Terry@frosch.com. Be sure to tell her you are traveling with The
World Outdoors. Alternatively, you are welcome to book your airfare online, directly with the airline or through your personal travel
agent.
General Information, Questions & Answers
What weather conditions can I expect? The average daytime highs are in the 70s in February and November and the 80s in March and
November along the Rio Grande River. The average lows are in the 40s in February and November and the 50s in March and November
along the Rio Grande River . Temperatures in the Chisos Mountains will average 10-15 degrees cooler. Each of these months is quite dry
with October being the wettest (1.3 inches on average).
How difficult is this trip? ... Really? This trip is moderate but warm days and the elevation gains involved in some of the hikes can add to the
degree of difficulty. The longest hike is 12.6 miles (although this can be shortened by turning back early) with an elevation gain and
subsequent loss of 1,875 feet. Staying well hydrated, even in the winter months, is essential on this tour. The longest canoeing day covers 11
miles and, with the slow flow of the river, takes about 6-1/2 hours including a stop for lunch. Sunscreen, long-sleeved shirt and a hat are
strongly advised for both the hiking and canoeing.
In general, what are the accommodations like?

Gage Hotel: Located in Marathon, Texas (“Gateway to the Big Bend”), the Gage Hotel was opened in 1927 by Alfred Gage, a
prosperous banker and rancher, as the gathering place for the ranchers and miners of the area. The yellow brick hotel features
museum quality Western and Mexican artifacts and each room has been meticulously furnished with authentic period décor. Cafe
Cenizo is set within a beautiful courtyard with both outdoor and indoor fireplaces and offers a level of service, quality and ambiance
unsurpassed in West Texas. Enjoy mesquite-grilled black angus steaks, roasted game and regional southwestern specialties. Their
White Buffalo Bar is one of the coziest and intimate small town bars you'll ever visit. Actually mounted front and center on aged
adobe walls is an extremely rare White Buffalo. The hotel also has a pool perfect for an evening swim.

Chisos Mountains Lodge: The only lodging in the park, Chisos Mountains Lodge is located in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet above
sea level with breathtaking views of the surrounding Chisos Mountains. The lodge offers a dining menu of American, Mexican and
“Tex-Mex” selections, motel-style rooms and a location near a convenience store, gift shop, and trailheads.

Ten Bits Ranch: The ranch consists of 125 acres of Chihuahuan desert wilderness and includes the local “Garden of the Gods”
which mirrors its more famous Colorado cousin. Views in all directions are gorgeous and the remote location makes for the perfect
For Reservations and Information call 800-488-8483 or Reserve 24 hours a day at www.TheWorldOutdoors.com
Renowned for Extraordinary Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures since 1988
Address: 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite F Boulder, CO 80301
Fax: 303-413-0926
Email: fun@TheWorldOutdoors.com
place to kick back and relax. Wildlife abounds in the Big Bend and much of it can be seen from right here on the porch. Several
species of bats, reptiles and birds inhabit the many grottos and canyons in the area. Mule deer, javelina, bobcats and even the
occasional mountain lion have been seen at the ranch.
Emergency Contact Information: Our office in Boulder, Colorado is open Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time
1-800-488-8483. For emergencies outside of our normal business hours call Bill Marriner at 720-289-0460, Sherry Marriner at 303-9159660, Darcie Carr at 303-595-8561 or Eric Wagner at 303-324-7795.
Driving to Meeting Place: El Paso is located on I-10 and is 647 miles west of Dallas via I-20/I-10, 556 miles west of San Antonio on I10, and 226 miles south of Albuquerque, New Mexico on I-10. Check with your hotel to see if cars can be left during our tour.
Pre/Post-Trip Lodging: For lodging in El Paso the evening before or after the trip, we recommend the following hotels:

Marriott Hotel: 1600 Airway Blvd., 915-779-3300 [rate: $69-$79 on weekends]

Holiday Inn: 6655 Gateway West, 915-778-6411 [rate: $73]

Quality Inn and Suites: 6099 Montana Avenue, 915-772-3300 or 877-424-6423 [rate: $70]
We're Always Improving! While the information presented here details this trip's planned activities, routes, accommodations, departure and conclusion
times, we are consistently seeking new opportunities to enhance this itinerary and your experience. Our actual activities and sites may vary due to season,
special events, or weather. As a result, we reserve the right to alter the itinerary since unforeseen circumstances that mandate change may arise. Naturally,
we will keep you up-to-date on any changes that may affect your arrival or departure times.
For Reservations and Information call 800-488-8483 or Reserve 24 hours a day at www.TheWorldOutdoors.com
Renowned for Extraordinary Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventures since 1988
Address: 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite F Boulder, CO 80301
Fax: 303-413-0926
Email: fun@TheWorldOutdoors.com