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The High Chisos Complex is a network of trails that climb out of
the Chisos Basin and lead to the South Rim on the south-western
edge of the Chisos Mountains. The initial 3-mile climb out of the
Basin is tiring in the heat, but from then on it is a relatively
easy hike to reach the South Rim and loop back. We describe the
circuit anti-clockwise, ascending via Laguna Meadows and descending
via Pinnacles Trail, as this makes for a less steep ascent.
From the parking area, take the trail signed to Laguna Meadow,
the Pinnacles and South Rim. After a few minutes, the trail forks;
bear right to Laguna Meadow (the left fork is the return route).
Now begins the long climb through woodland to reach the Basin rim,
where the trail levels. Just beyond is Laguna Meadow, an open grassy
area dotted with pine and juniper, around 3.5 miles from the trailhead.
Pass through the meadow, circling the south-west slopes of Emory
Peak, the highest in Big Bend at 7,835 ft. The most southerly stand
of aspen in the US grows amongst the boulders on these slopes. Keep
left at the junction with Blue Creek Trail and right at the junction
with Colima Trail (a shortcut to Boot Spring used by the horseback
trips) to stay on the main trail heading south. All the junctions
are well signed.
Around 1.5 miles later, at the 6 mile point, you finally reach
the 7,400-ft cliffs of the South Rim. Views stretch in all directions:
over the mountains of the Chisos range and the desert 2,500 ft below;
Emory Peak looming to the north; the Sierra del Carmen mountains
to the east; to the west the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon; and, on
a clear day, south to distant Mexican peaks.
As you follow the trail along the South Rim, ignore the Boot Canyon
short-cut trail on the left. This bypasses the scenic East Rim,
reducing the overall hike distance to 13 miles (you may be forced
to take this short-cut if peregrine falcons are nesting on the East
Rim, making it off-limits from February to early summer). The trail
continues along the edge of the South Rim for around 1.5 miles before
bearing left along the East Rim, to some great views into Juniper
Canyon.
At around 9 miles, intersect the Boot Canyon short-cut trail and
turn right to drop into Boot Canyon, an oasis of cypress, fir and
pine. Ignore the Juniper Canyon Trail on the right after 0.5 mile
and keep ahead to the Park Service cabin and Boot Spring (the water
here should be purified before use). Nearby is the "Boot"
itself, a distinctive rock spire shaped like an upside-down cowboy
boot. Shortly after, bear right at the junction with the Colima
Trail to continue through Boot Canyon. In another mile, the Emory
Peak Trail climbs away to the left (this 1-mile ascent and scramble
to the summit is usually done as a separate day hike). Just beyond
this, you reach the head of Boot Canyon and crest the Basin wall
at 7,100-ft Pinnacles Pass.
There are now only 3.5 miles to go. Steep switchbacks descend into
the Basin past rhyolite spires. It is very scenic, but you will
need to watch your footing on the loose rock. A couple of level
sections break the descent: the grassy flats of Boulder Meadow at
the 13-mile point (strewn with boulders, as its name suggests),
and Juniper Flat a little further on. Continue descending through
a dense woodland of pinyon, juniper and oak. Keep right at the Chisos
Basin Loop junction to return to the parking area in 0.5 mile.
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