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Big Bend Ranch State Park Rancherias Loop
The Rancherias Loop is 19 miles typically done as a 3-day, 2-night trip. Large, reliable springs are at miles 7 and 13 making it unnecessary to carry large amounts of water during the day.
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| Author: | 1GoodPacker |
| Activity: | Backpacking |
| State: | Texas (TX) |
| Distance: | 19 mi |
| Average Speed: | 0.3 mph - 3:47:22/mi |
| Duration: | Total: 3d 0:00:00 |
| Difficulty: | 7 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Agua Adentro Mountain, Sauceda Ranch, Santana Mesa, Redford SE |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
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The Rancherias Loop trail passes through two canyons, goes over ridges, along jeep trails and old wagon roads, and over a mesa. In many places, the trail is not defined and is marked only by rock cairns. Hikers must be well conditioned and well versed in navigation with map, compass, and GPS. This is a trail for experienced desert hikers. Even though a three-day hike means a little over 6 miles per day, do not underestimate the terrain--it's very rough. There are two major springs on the trail having reliable water year round. As always, hikers should double check condition of the springs at Park Headquarters in Lajitas while getting their permit. Prime time for this trip is November through March.
TO TRAILHEAD: The eastern trailhead is about 21 miles west of Barton Warnock Education Center near Lajitas, Texas on Highway FM 170. The western trainhead is an additional 2 1/2 miles west from the eastern trailhead.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Points of Interest
East Trailhead parking
Location: 29.321203, -104.007740Box Canyon
Location: 29.338339, -104.001346Do not go north into the box canyon. Turn easterly through the gap in the rock fence.
Acebuches Canyon entrance
Location: 29.335047, -103.990359Seep Spring
Location: 29.342529, -103.990188Side canyon enters
Location: 29.352217, -103.984051Stay in the main canyon turning east.
Saddle
Location: 29.369909, -103.966048Dividing Acebuches and Panther Canyons
Resa homestead
Location: 29.371667, -103.961005Large, reliable spring. Good camping (stay 300 feet from water)
Panther Spring
Location: 29.385167, -103.964825Jeep Road
Location: 29.396048, -103.962615Follow jeep road to the west
Rancherias Spring
Location: 29.394515, -104.021280Camp here at the end of day two.
Intersection
Location: 29.401918, -104.005455Continue west
Intersection
Location: 29.397113, -103.975200Continue west
Old wagon road
Location: 29.388906, -104.045034Faint double track heading south across top of Mesa
Mesa edge
Location: 29.361830, -104.043317Southern edge of Mesa de Guale. Begin descent.
Western Trailhead Parking
Location: 29.333251, -104.047265Intersection
Location: 29.337366, -104.037459Follow road to parking.
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