Big Bend National Park: South Rim Loop

Noelle and I packed up camp, ate breakfast and headed up into the Chisos Basin. The lost Mine Trail was still closed due to mountain lion activity and so we abandoned our original plan to climb Casa Grande Peak and opted to instead hike a 12.4 mile loop up to the South Rim via the Laguna Meadows, Southeast Rim, Boot Canyon, Boot Spring, and Pinnacles Trails. The weather was beautiful and the ascent up Laguna meadows was pleasant and gentle.

We didn't see many people on the trail, just a few trail crew members. We got lots of great views to the Window and Emory Peak

and a nice overlook of the Chisos Basin.

Once past the overlook the trail featured rolling terrain and lots of views. We stopped at a conveniently placed restroom

and admired some of the great views from the Rim.

 

parts of the Rim are closed this time of the year due to Peregrine falcon nesting.

Still, there were plenty of nice views!

After admiring some of them we headed into Boot Canyon.

The small canyon was surprisingly interesting and we enjoyed walking through it with its little pools of water. next we found ourselves at a nice overlook of the aptly named Boot Rock.

Then we started our descent on the Pinnacles Trail. The trail was very well maintained!

We got some really nice views of the Window again, along with Casa Grande Peak.

It was a wonderful end to our short visit to the amazing Big Bend National Park!