THE RUN: BIG BEND OUTER MOUNTAIN LOOP (OML)
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DISTANCE: 32 miles
ASCENT/DESCENT: +8300ft/-8300ft MIN/MAX ELEVATION: 3810ft/7190ft START/END: Homer Wilson Ranch (29.2144° N, 103.3665° W) 
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ROUTE DESCRIPTION
Traditionally the Big Bend Outer Mountain Loop (OML) runs clockwise beginning and ending at Chisos Basin, one of the main campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. The route is a rugged 32 mile trek covering some of the most popular, but also the remote areas of the park. Due to the extreme desert environment, water is scarce and thus this route is best saved for winter when temperatures don't reach dangerous levels. We opted for mid-December which was perfect weather-wise. Water is typically available only at Chisos Basin, requiring runners to stash water at bear boxes located at Homer Wilson Ranch and at the terminus of Juniper Canyon Road. Juniper Canyon Road is recommended only for high clearance 4x4 vehicles, making stashing water or meeting crew at this location extra challenging. Creeks typically run dry the majority of the year, only flowing after heavy rains, and are not a reliable source of water.
WHAT WE DID
Due to construction on the road leading to Chisos Basin, we opted to start and end our OML attempt at Homer Wilson Creek Ranch. This starting point gets the two biggest climbs out of the way in the first half of the run, saving the the longer more gradual climbing for later in the day.
Section 1 (Blue Creek Trail, Laguna Meadows Trail):
The first section begins on Blue Creek Trail and is fairly difficult to follow right off the bat. It essentially follows the dry creek bed weaving from bank to bank, look for cairns here to help guide you north along the creek. Navigation gets easier about a mile in and the trail becomes fairly obvious most of the time from there on out. It's climbing the whole way on this trail, with some fantastic views once you reach the top. Near the top you will pass some of the established backcountry campsites in the National Park as you make your way towards the intersection with the Laguna Meadows Trail about 6 miles in. When you hit the Laguna Meadows Trail prepare for a cruising downhill all the way to Chisos Basin campground (about 9.5 miles in). Fill up on water and snacks at Chisos Basin because you have a long climb back out to continue on your journey.
Section 2 (Pinnacles Trail, Juniper Canyon Trail):
The second section begins with another long climb to the highest point on this route, traversing some of the most popular areas in the park (add a side trip up to the top of Emory peak if your legs are feeling extra good). At about 14.5 miles in the Pinnacles Trail intersects with the Juniper Canyon Trail and you'll being a rocky and technical descent for the next few miles. The trail eventually flattens out a bit for some smooth (slightly downhill) singletrack all the way to junction of Juniper Canyon Road at mile 21. We were lucky to have an adventurous crew to meet us here in a Jeep 4x4 to refill our waters and give us some encouragement for the last section.
Section 3 (Dodson Trail):
Don't underestimate this last section! Although the climbing looks gentle compared to the first two climbs of the day, this climb is a grind with constant twists and turns and a few false summits. This is the longest section of the three and in one of the most remote parts of the park, and it certainly feels that way. We reached the top of the climb as the sun was just beginning to set and used that motivation to cruise back down towards the creek bed. Once you reach the creek its more winding and twisting thru Blue Creek Canyon until you find yourself back at Homer Wilson Creek Ranch, the end of your journey. We arrived with minutes of light to spare, the perfect end to a perfect day in Big Bend!
Check out our run stats here.
Traditionally the Big Bend Outer Mountain Loop (OML) runs clockwise beginning and ending at Chisos Basin, one of the main campgrounds in Big Bend National Park. The route is a rugged 32 mile trek covering some of the most popular, but also the remote areas of the park. Due to the extreme desert environment, water is scarce and thus this route is best saved for winter when temperatures don't reach dangerous levels. We opted for mid-December which was perfect weather-wise. Water is typically available only at Chisos Basin, requiring runners to stash water at bear boxes located at Homer Wilson Ranch and at the terminus of Juniper Canyon Road. Juniper Canyon Road is recommended only for high clearance 4x4 vehicles, making stashing water or meeting crew at this location extra challenging. Creeks typically run dry the majority of the year, only flowing after heavy rains, and are not a reliable source of water.
WHAT WE DID
Due to construction on the road leading to Chisos Basin, we opted to start and end our OML attempt at Homer Wilson Creek Ranch. This starting point gets the two biggest climbs out of the way in the first half of the run, saving the the longer more gradual climbing for later in the day.
Section 1 (Blue Creek Trail, Laguna Meadows Trail):
The first section begins on Blue Creek Trail and is fairly difficult to follow right off the bat. It essentially follows the dry creek bed weaving from bank to bank, look for cairns here to help guide you north along the creek. Navigation gets easier about a mile in and the trail becomes fairly obvious most of the time from there on out. It's climbing the whole way on this trail, with some fantastic views once you reach the top. Near the top you will pass some of the established backcountry campsites in the National Park as you make your way towards the intersection with the Laguna Meadows Trail about 6 miles in. When you hit the Laguna Meadows Trail prepare for a cruising downhill all the way to Chisos Basin campground (about 9.5 miles in). Fill up on water and snacks at Chisos Basin because you have a long climb back out to continue on your journey.
Section 2 (Pinnacles Trail, Juniper Canyon Trail):
The second section begins with another long climb to the highest point on this route, traversing some of the most popular areas in the park (add a side trip up to the top of Emory peak if your legs are feeling extra good). At about 14.5 miles in the Pinnacles Trail intersects with the Juniper Canyon Trail and you'll being a rocky and technical descent for the next few miles. The trail eventually flattens out a bit for some smooth (slightly downhill) singletrack all the way to junction of Juniper Canyon Road at mile 21. We were lucky to have an adventurous crew to meet us here in a Jeep 4x4 to refill our waters and give us some encouragement for the last section.
Section 3 (Dodson Trail):
Don't underestimate this last section! Although the climbing looks gentle compared to the first two climbs of the day, this climb is a grind with constant twists and turns and a few false summits. This is the longest section of the three and in one of the most remote parts of the park, and it certainly feels that way. We reached the top of the climb as the sun was just beginning to set and used that motivation to cruise back down towards the creek bed. Once you reach the creek its more winding and twisting thru Blue Creek Canyon until you find yourself back at Homer Wilson Creek Ranch, the end of your journey. We arrived with minutes of light to spare, the perfect end to a perfect day in Big Bend!
Check out our run stats here.
