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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.

DIRECTIONS + WAYPOINTS: helping you find your way

Position Format: Datum:

Points of Interest

East Trailhead parking

Location: 29.321203, -104.007740

Box Canyon

Location: 29.338339, -104.001346
Do not go north into the box canyon. Turn easterly through the gap in the rock fence.

Acebuches Canyon entrance

Location: 29.335047, -103.990359

Seep Spring

Location: 29.342529, -103.990188

Side canyon enters

Location: 29.352217, -103.984051
Stay in the main canyon turning east.

Saddle

Location: 29.369909, -103.966048
Dividing Acebuches and Panther Canyons

Resa homestead

Location: 29.371667, -103.961005
Large, reliable spring. Good camping (stay 300 feet from water)

Panther Spring

Location: 29.385167, -103.964825

Jeep Road

Location: 29.396048, -103.962615
Follow jeep road to the west

Rancherias Spring

Location: 29.394515, -104.021280
Camp here at the end of day two.

Intersection

Location: 29.401918, -104.005455
Continue west

Intersection

Location: 29.397113, -103.975200
Continue west

Old wagon road

Location: 29.388906, -104.045034
Faint double track heading south across top of Mesa

Mesa edge

Location: 29.361830, -104.043317
Southern edge of Mesa de Guale. Begin descent.

Western Trailhead Parking

Location: 29.333251, -104.047265

Intersection

Location: 29.337366, -104.037459
Follow road to parking.



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