March 3, 2010:
Access to the Mesa de Anguila through the original trailhead at Lajitas has been re-established. Contact the park [432-477-1158] for more information.

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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.