Thanks for the video, that brought the route to my attention. It was fun stopping at the lodge for lunch, going up and back down. Less food I had to carry. 🤣What a beautiful trail!!!
That was a nice long walk Clint. I did about half the Oak Spring Trail from the Windows trail down couple years back to see the Windows flowing from the back side after a big rain. The Window is super slick and dangerous with water flowing. I think every creek up there was flowing that trip. Been up there 7 times also. Just did 3 nights/ 4 days at Big Bend Ranch State Park last week, first trip there. 37 miles in from TX 170 to camp site. Very remote and a Night Sky Park. Good to see you out and about.
Thank you! You know I was amazed at how slick the window was….it made me nervous getting out there…couldn’t even get to the edge to look down. I can’t imagine how it is when it’s wet. I also did Cattail falls on this trip…I’d love to catch those pour offs after a rain. I bet that was incredible. Thanks for watching!
Awesome 👏🏻 😎 Clint your videos are amazing. Love everything about them! Great views, great music & very exciting. Good job 👏🏻 (That’s so cool about the nice people you met)
Well done! Loved that Window Trail quite a few years ago. Never thought to start from the desert floor and head up from there. But just to the Basin for me. Thanks for the idea.
You should! I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this hike…that contributed to me taking a little too much time shooting the first sections. I’d like to go back and do Emory as an early morning hike…that way I can take my time and shoot that section better! Thanks for watching!
Awesome video! I can't believe that you don't have more animal encounters. Seems like you would occasionally see big cats. Beautiful trail! Thanks for capturing all this for us to see.
Hey thanks Brian! I appreciate it man! Yeah you’d think I’d see more than I do but honestly I’m ok with that! Maybe when I have company with me on the trail.
Hi I was inspired by your video and did the route last Monday … I did it from the Oak Springs parking lot and did it as an out and back. I stopped after the summit at Pinnacle 2, to camp overnight. Really enjoyed the hike … Thank you for bringing to our attention!!!!
Oh wow! That is so cool! I’m so glad you got out there and did it! It’s an incredible link of trails! That Oak Springs section is great isn’t it? All three of these trails provide so much diversity in a hike…I love it! I’m so glad you got out there and did it…congrats! And to backpack it as well. That’s not an easy climb with a full pack. Thanks for watching and thank you for sharing!
Backpacking wasn’t that bad. When I got to the parking lot, I unloaded all my chair, extra food and started with 2 ltrs of water. At Chisos Basin I loaded up with 5 ltrs of water. I had a permit for a campsite at Pinnacle 2. So I hiked up to the campsite and put my water and most of my gear in the bear box and continued to the peak. The next day I did the trail in reverse. Great hike … Thanksgiving you!!!!
I just visited Big Bend for the first time in late April/early May this year! I did basically every main trail in Big Bend, including the South Rim/Emory Peak loop, and it was absolutely gorgeous! I spent so much time out on the trail that I barely made it back before it got dark, somewhat similar to you haha. I did wonder about potentially doing a route like this once I saw Oak Springs trail on my Window Trail hike. So cool to see you do it! It's actually a similar distance and elevation gain as a hike back home here in SoCal; Topatopa via Sisar Road and Red Reef Trail if you're interested! Thanks for a great video! It was fun to relive a bit of my trip memories through it :)
Sorry for the late response! It sounds like you had a heck of a good trip! Big Bend is a truly special place, I’m so glad you got to experience it! I’ll have to check out that hike…it sounds great. Cali has some amazing scenery out there! Thank you for watching!
Thank you very much! Yeah I was surprised to see that they fully connected. Oak Springs is a very underrated trail. It really should be high up on the list!
Hey thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! I just subscribed to yours as well…looks like you guys have quite a list of adventures. I’m looking forward to checking it all out. And yeah that sounds good! Hopefully we will make it back out that way soon!
Beautiful scenery! I know BIBE but not this hike so thanks for sharing your trip. Are you using the DJI pocket camera? Thanks! I appreciate you sharing your Faith on your videos! Amen🙏
Thank you…I’m not sure just yet. I might try for early May…but it may end up being september. Lots of plans coming up and schedule is getting packed. I want to do a video for every trail there…so I will be back as soon as I can
@@TheNotLostNomad We be heading to Roswell White Sands maybe to Tombstone and Bisbee Then head back east toward Guadalupe then south to Terlingua and Big Bend We from Lousyanna
Amazing video, Clint! I still haven't done Emory Peak yet. When we were there in mid-February, the winds were 40mph+ in the basin so we opted not to go up. We almost did the Oak spring and Burro trails, but went out to Boquillas instead. I might have to make another trip out there after watching this. Thanks for posting!
Hey thanks Josh! Emory peak is a blast in itself...you'll love it! If you can make this hike happen...do it! it's totally worth it. Climbing up into the basin from the outer desert is just incredible! I appreciate you watching!
Really enjoyed you sharing this with us. Big Bend is one of my favorite areas to hike and have been there many times over 49 years. Went last May with the wife and had a blast. My goal was to do the Emory Peak hike as when much younger. Made it about three quarters of the way before having to call it quits and start back to the Basin. My knees just said no way. Was disappointed but still had a fun time. Thanks for letting us hike along with you ...
Of course! I appreciate you watching! Sounds like you guys have had some great memories out there! Big Bend is such a special place… And I can totally understand…this is a difficult trail. Very rough! Emory peak was my first summit and I was completely exhausted afterwards. Thanks again for watching!
You bet! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Definitely add this one to your list for your next trip. I cannot imagine having two weeks in Big Bend…that must have been an awesome trip!
While I’ve hiked from Cattail Falls and over the Oak Springs trail to the Windows, I’ve never thought about making this a route farther into the Chisos. Good thinking man! My last trip I was lucky and got a hitch from Homer Wilson Ranch back to the basin from a park ranger/wildlife biologist. That was different.
Oh man! talk about perfect timing! Yeah this is a really great combo and a beast of a hike. I'd highly reccomend it. This should be the premier hike of Big Bend. I also did Cattail Falls...thats a great little trail!
We have been going to Big Bend since 2020 and it is absolutely our favorite place on earth! We aren't capable of a hike like this so this is incredible to get to experience it through your video!! We do hope to attempt the Window Trail on our next visit!
Thank you for making these videos , I enjoy them a lot I'm a fellow Texan and there's not many good quality videos. Texas has many underrated hiking trails but not much exposure, unfortunately our main problem is the lack of water which makes the logistics more difficult to go on multiple days backpacking and Backcountry camping.Keep up the good work 👍
Thank you very much for the compliment. I’m so glad you are enjoying them. And I agree 100%. Texas has some amazing terrain…and some of the most challenging when you add the lack of water resources. Thanks for watching!
Although 99.9% of my hiking and backpacking has been in the Appalachians, I love BBNP! I usually just 4WD there, though. I can no longer do strenuous hikes so I am living vicariously through your videos. Thanks!
Hey I appreciate you watching. The Big Bend 4WD roads are truly incredible and highly underrated. It’s an incredible park. I’m jealous of you Appalachian experience. I wish I could make it up that direction more often.
Love the vid! I posted this route on AllTrails and Fastest Known Time a while back--glad you gave it a go and thanks for documenting so well! Smart work getting your truck back up to the Basin. Enjoyed the walk thru of the route at the end too.
Dude…it was your post that inspired this whole trip. That’s nuts…I discovered the Oak springs trail and it intrigued me. I kept wondering why no one ever connected it to the Window Trail and then up Emory. It makes no sense that this trek isn’t the most popular hike in Big Bend. I’m thankful that I found your post on Fastest Known Time. Who coined the name “Chisos Escalade Route”? I love the name. Thanks for the compliment! Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for inspiring me to do this trek!
If pure elevation gain & distance are your goal...3 in GUMO: Salt Basin Dunes Trailhead to Guad Peak - approx. 5,100ft elevation gain Salt Basin Dunes Trailhead to Bush Mtn - approx. 5,000ft elevation gain Start of Williams Ranch Road to Guad Peak - approx. 4,650ft elevation gain All three would require a good bit of off-trail hiking/scrambling/bushwacking
Yes! I definitely looked into all three of those…I opted to consider this one since there was no off-trail navigating. It would really be great if the NPS would connect them…it would be a simple addition. I know I would definitely tackle it.
Clint, this was another great video. I have been hiking Big Bend NP off and on since 1979. Never thought of combining the hikes into one grand hike. Great job! Big Bend is my happy place. Although I don't get out there as much as I would like, videos like yours allows us to go on the adventure with you. Thanks! Kevin.
Thanks Kevin! I am just like you…BB is my happy place as well. I sure wish it was a little closer though. But I guess that adds to the appeal of it all.
