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Big Bend National Park
Hiking the Mesa de Anguila
 
The Rio Grande, as seen from the Mesa de Anguila
Trevor Gureckis
The Rio Grande, as seen from the Mesa de Anguila.
 

Remote and isolated from the rest of Big Bend National Park, the Mesa de Anguila (pronounced may-sah day an-gee-la) offers well-prepared backpackers opportunities for solitude and tremendous views. The trails are not obvious, animal trails diverge from the main trail, and sections of trail may be overgrown with grass and shrubs. The mesa is recommended for experienced desert backpackers only, and would be a very poor choice for an "introductory" hike to Big Bend.

Recent work by the park's trail staff has improved some trail sections, but do not expect to encounter other hikers.

Survival is your job.

The free online map of the Mesa de Anguila trail is no longer available as it did not contain adequate on the ground details. Due to the difficult nature of this hike and environmental dangers of the low desert, hikers are strongly advised to purchase the detailed topographic map of this trail from the park bookstore before heading out.

The topographic map you need is currently available from the Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore.

A solo hiker on the South Rim
Going Solo?
Information on Big Bend's solo backcountry user program.
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Leave No Trace logo
Leave No Trace
Learn more about the Leave No Trace program
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Will you survive the sun?
Survive the Sun
What you need to know about heat safety
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Entrance to the La Harmonia store
What to do in Castolon
Highlights of the Castolon area.
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Camels  

Did You Know?
Traveling through the Big Bend during the 1860 camel experiment, Lt. William Echols reported that camels did well in the desert, but that they suffered from sore feet. “I would recommend to any one using the camels over rough country, in case of tender feet, to shoe them with a piece of raw hide…”
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Last Updated: April 21, 2009 at 09:56 EST