Frommer's National Parks of the American West - Don Laine [38]
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Trail
.5 mile RT. Easy. Access: Dugout Wells Picnic Area, 6 miles east of Panther Junction.
A good introduction to the flora of the Chihuahuan Desert, this is an easy stroll along a relatively flat gravel path with signs describing the plants you see along the way.
Chisos Basin Loop Trail
1.6-mile loop. Easy. Access: Chisos Basin trailhead.
This fairly easy walk climbs about 350 feet into a pretty meadow and leads to an overlook that offers good views of the park's mountains, including Emory Peak, highest point in the park at 7,825 feet.
Hot Springs Trail
1 mile RT. Easy. Access: End of improved dirt road to Hot Springs, off road to Rio Grande Village.
An interpretive booklet available at the trailhead describes the sights, including a historic health resort and homestead (see "Historic & Man-Made Attractions," above), along this easy loop. Fairly substantial ruins remain, including a foundation that fills with natural mineral water, creating an inviting hot tub. Also along the trail are pictographs left by ancient American Indians, and panoramic views of the Rio Grande and Mexico.
Panther Path
50 yards RT. Easy. Access: Panther Junction Visitor Center.
This is a short walk through a garden of cacti and other desert plants. A booklet discussing the park's plant life is available at the trailhead.
Rio Grande Village Nature Trail
.75 mile RT. Easy. Access: Southeast corner of Rio Grande Village Campground, across from site 18.
A good choice for sunrise and sunset views, this self-guided loop nature trail (booklet available at the trailhead)
climbs from the surprisingly lush river floodplain about 125 feet into desert terrain and up a hilltop that offers excellent panoramic views.
Santa Elena Canyon
.8 mile one-way. Moderate. Access: End of Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr.
You may get your feet wet crossing a broad creek on this trail, which also takes you up a series of steep steps. But it's one of the most scenic short trails in the park, leading along the canyon wall (with good views of rafters on the Rio Grande), and continuing down among the boulders along the river. Interpretive signs describe the canyon environment. Beware of flash flooding as you cross the Terlingua Creek, and skip this trail altogether if the creek is running swiftly.
Top of Burro Mesa Pour-Off 1.8 miles one-way. Moderate. Access: Trailhead parking about 7 miles down Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr. on the west (right).
This moderate hike takes you through some narrow rocky gorges to the top of the Burro Mesa Pour-Off. The trail may not be well marked, so it's a good idea to carry a topographical map and compass. As you hike along the now-dry washes, you'll realize that the rock cairns marking the trail scatter quickly when water floods through them. There is a gradual decline of about 525 feet to the top of this desert waterfall, where the drainage drops suddenly and precipitously from the wash where you stand to the one below. Do not chance this hike in stormy weather or you might get washed away with the rock cairns.
Tuff Canyon
.75 mile RT. Easy. Access: Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr., 5 miles south of Mule Ears Overlook access road.
This easy trail leads into a narrow canyon, carved from soft volcanic rock called tuff, with several canyon overlooks.
Window View Trail
.3 mile RT. Easy. Access: Chisos Basin Trailhead.
Level, paved, and wheelchair accessible, this self-guided nature trail (a brochure is available at the trailhead) runs along a low hill and has a great variety of plant life. In addition, it offers magnificent sunset views through the Window, a V-SHAPED opening in the mountains to the west.
LONGER TRAILS
Chimneys Trail
4.8 miles RT (to the chimneys). Moderate. Access: Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr., 1.2 miles south of Burro Mesa Pour-Off access road.
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