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Re: Planning Trip to Big Bend in January
January would be a great time to go. The cooler weather allows for great hiking in the desert areas that are just too hot to venture into very much during the summer months. Also, with a 4WD, you can go down River Road East or West and visit the Mariscal Mine Historic District. Head down Maverick Road as well and check out Luna's Jacal.
As far as camping goes, you cannot beat The Basin campground, but if you want some solitude, try the campsites out around Glenn Springs, Grapevine Hills or those along River Road. The basin can get kinda full sometimes.
As far as hikes, there are too many to mention, but the more memorable ones for me include: Window Trail, Lost Mine Trail, Hot Springs, Laguna Meadows, Chimney Trail, Burro Mesa Pour-Off, Grapevine Hills. Hiking to Emory Peak offers a great view for many miles. It is a somewhat strenous hike (have not made it myself) as I understand, but well worth it.
If you have time, head over to Terlingua and watch the sunset on the Chisos from the porch of the Terlingua Store. The colors are just incredible. The store was the company store for the Chisos Mining Company (mined cinnabar for mercury) in the early 1900's. Kenneth Ragsdale's book "Quicksilver: Terlingua and the Chisos Mining Company" is an excellent accounting of the mining in the Terlingua district in the early 1900's.
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