Spanno

We are training for a big hike in March. I would appreciate any recomendations you would have for these 2 places.

Please include why your prefer one over the other and the +/- 's of each place. Recomendations are appreciated for things like what we should take (weatehr in March, etc) the length of the hike, and how long to stay out (if there is water available that we can filter to stay out longer, bath, etc). As usual I appreciate all of your input!

Also if there is the ability to catch our own fish for a meal that would be even better. I would like to show her how to really rough it with catching our own grub.

BigBendHiker

I cannot speak to Guadalupe Mountains, but having been to Big Bend National Park many times, I would choose Big Bend. There are many excellent hiking trails in Big Bend in the desert and High Chisos Mountains. The weather in March should be cool enough so that you can do the desert hikes and may even be able to do the Dodson Trail, Mesa de Anguila or Marufo Vega which are excellent hikes (these can only be done in the cooler months). Be advised that crowds in March will be heavy in Big Bend because of Spring Break; campsites, both in the Chisos and the desert areas may be hard to come by.

For more information or to get details from avid Big Benders go to www.bigbendchat.com (there is also a posting place on the page for Guadalupe Mountains).


BBH

01ACRViper

i wouldn't want to rely on catching fish to provide me with needed calories on a hike... a bad day of fishing will make the next day very bad hiking

copuswalker

Especially true in Guadalupe or Big Bend where water,let alone fish are scarce.

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toejam

Fishing won't be an option either place. Both parks get a big spring break crowd and have all their campsites fill up. Try to find out when the schools will be out and pick a week off the peak if possible. March is as good as the weather gets down there, but can be really cold at night. The wind blows like crazy sometimes.

Guadalupe doesn't have a lot of campsites and the backpacking sites require you to haul a ton of water on your back thousands of feet up the mountain. It's great if you like big climbs and big views. You have to see Carlsbad Cavern if you go.

Big Bend has more to offer, especially if you have a high clearance vehicle to get on the back roads. For backpacking, the trails from the Chisos basin are great and you can pick a spot not too far from the car. The Pinnacles sites are not too arduous with a pack on, you can easily get to Emory Peak from there. You may find water above Boot Spring, but you can't rely on it. Hiking up Juniper Canyon is quieter, but you have to drive a real rough road to get there. Juniper Spring is not a reliable source of water.

Big Bend Ranch State Park doesn't get quite the crowd and is worth checking into. It also has the backpacking route with the most reliable water supply in the area - the Rancherias Loop.

For backpacking with fishing in March I'd recommend the Gila Wilderness in New Mexico.

Spanno

I really appreciate all of your responses. I get it that I will probably have to do a real survival trip in New Mexico, Colorado, or Arkansas for the whole fend for your self bit. I still carry food just in case. It is just nice to know I can survive out there.

The Guadalupe mountains are really sounding up my alley. I don't mind humping the water in. When I was active duty in the Marines part of my t.o. load was a 5 gallon water can in my ruck which weighed about 40+ pounds. Like in my water post I put up I can carry about 13 liters at a time. I emailed the ranger out there and told him of the climb I wanted to take. We are planing to hike a route that takes up to Bush mountain the 1st night and Marcus on the second night. On the Third day we will hike to Dog Canyon for a water refil at the ranger station where the Ranger assured me there is water even if they are not there and head down to Mescalero for the third night. We will either hike it the rest of the way in or stop off at Pine Top for a 4th night.

The Ranger said it was a most ambitious hike, but hell after being a Marine it wont be a major challenge. I just have to condition myself before the trip to make sure I am in shape for it. Not as mean, not as lean, but still one hell of a Marine. I have a close friend I was enlisted with who is now an Artillary Captain who is going with me and my girl.

I would like some advise on foot wear though. I imagin a light weight high top with good soles would be the best from other forums I have read. Any suggestions and money is not a factor. I would like to break them in for a couple of months before the trip.

toejam

Was your gf in the marines?

You got the right idea about boots. Make sure they are comfortable and have plenty of room for your toes.

Spanno

Naw she is all civilian. I am the only Marine in this household.

copuswalker

It might be a good thing you are in shape. With that hike you may end up carrying the girlfriend.
You can leave the friend to fend for himself.

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aggiehiker92

The Guadalupe's are very nice. Don't become overzealous and hike your partners into the ground when carrying all that water. Whoever goes with you may not have the same endurance. The trip from Dog Canyon to McKittrick is nice, and there is usually water in McKittrick Creek, though you can't camp there. I carried plenty of water on the trip, and STILL needed to resupply at the Grotto (bottom of the ridge trail) on the way out.

Dog Canyon ALWAYS has running water, flush toilets, and the like. Your loop trail sounds very nice. Beware of HIGH WINDS, though. Take these into account when planning your trip.

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