Suggested Itinerary
The following is a brief description of the most common itinerary used by Outer Mountain Loop hikers. It is our belief that this is the best direction and speed for attempting this hike.

DAY ONE:
Chisos Basin - Boot Canyon - Juniper Canyon 
approx. 11 MILES
If you haven't done so the day before, begin this trek by caching water (lots of it) near the Homer Wilson (Blue Creek) Ranch. This scenic overlook is located at mile 8.1 along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Hike down the trail and store your water in the convenient cache box. Ensure that your name and the date are written on the bottle. It can't be overemphasized that stashing this water WILL make the difference between a miserable and stressful experience and a fun backcountry excursion.

After your water is stashed away, head to the Chisos Basin Trailhead to begin the hike itself. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips in the park and can be obtained at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center (or any other park visitor center). 

From the Chisos Basin Trailhead (elevation 5,400') hike up the Pinnacles Trail and its many switchbacks for 3.5 miles to the Pinnacles Summit (elev. 7,000'). Continue on the Boot Canyon Trail as it makes a leisurely swing into beautiful Boot Canyon (you'll know you're close when you see "Boot Rock" on the horizon). After one mile you will arrive at Boot Spring (usually dry). Continuing along the canyon bottom you may come to some stagnant pools of water left by recent rains (if any). This will usually be one your best chance of finding water anywhere along the entire Outer Mountain Loop (besides your cache at Blue Creek). Another 0.3 miles and you'll arrive at the junction for the Juniper Canyon Trail. At this point you will soon leave the shade behind and descend steeply 3,000' for 6.2 miles to the desert below. After 2.6 miles you will arrive at Upper Juniper Spring (usually dry). Past the spring, the trail drops into desert grasslands, where there are many nice places to camp. Backpackers must camp at least 0.5 mile from the end of the Juniper Canyon Trail and the Juniper Canyon Road.  

Make camp and rest up, tomorrow will be a tough one.

DAY TWO:
Juniper Canyon - Dodson Trail - Blue Creek Canyon
approx. 10-11 MILES
Today you will be hiking the Dodson Trail. This will be the hottest and most exposed section of the entire trek. Don't let the relatively short distance fool you. While hiking the Dodson Trail, it is important to keep an eye out for the rock cairns that mark the route. Most people who have trouble on the Outer Mountain Loop run into problems on this section, due to lack of shade, shimmering heat radiating from the barren rocks, and the seemingly endless climbing and descending from drainage to drainage. You will be climbing (and descending) 2,000' along the way, but the views can be spectacular, and the solitude is always mesmerizing.

Follow the trail from the Juniper Canyon trailhead through Juniper Draw. After 3.6 miles you will reach the ruins of the Dodson Ranch and nearby Dodson Spring (usually dry). One mile further, the trail crosses the Fresno Creek drainage. Besides your stash at Blue Creek, this is the only location along the Dodson Trail where you may find water (don't count on it). This water must be treated before drinking. Please treat this water as "liquid gold" for desert wildlife...do not contaminate their vital and ephemeral water source. After another half mile, you will encounter the junction with the Elephant Tusk Trail. If you have the time, a nice 1-mile side excursion here will lead you into the Fresno Drainage below Tortuga Mountain and the possibility of more water. From the Elephant Tusk junction, the Dodson Trail climbs for another 1.5 miles to a high pass and descends into the Smoky Creek Drainage. Look carefully for the rock cairns that mark the trail through Smoky Creek. Be sure to watch for the junction where the trail leaves the wash, or you may find yourself hiking down the Smoky Creek Trail. Only three miles further, you will arrive at the remains of the Homer Wilson (Blue Creek) Ranch and your precious stash of "liquid gold". The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is only .25 miles away from this point. After rehydrating, continue up Blue Creek Canyon for at least 1/2 mile and begin searching for a campsite (remember, you have to be at least 1/2 mile from a road, and out of sight of the road).  

You are now literally "over the hump" on your Outer Mountain Loop Adventure!

DAY THREE:
Blue Creek Canyon - Laguna Meadows - Chisos Basin
approx. 9 MILES
The last day of your Chisos circumnavigation begins with the ascent up Blue Creek Canyon. The Blue Creek trail climbs steadily 2,500' for 5.5 miles and returns you to the High Chisos woodlands. The beginning of the trail passes in and out of several sandy washes so watch for the rock cairns marking the way. After two miles you will enter the "red rocks" area. Heavily eroded pinnacles of pink volcanic tuff look like a miniature Bryce Canyon. Soon you will once again reach the shady pinyon-oak woodland. Enjoy the steep switchbacks and the beautiful views. The evidence of the human-caused 1989 Blue Creek Fire is visible throughout the upper reaches of the broad canyon. Three miles after the red rocks, you will come upon the two Blue Creek Chisos Backpack sites, and immediately after, the Laguna Meadows Trail and flat ground. The Laguna Meadow Trail winds around the western flanks of Emory Peak and offers nice views of the highest point in Big Bend National Park. After one mile, you will arrive at the Laguna Meadow Trail Summit. The Chisos Basin will lie below you and even the rooftops of the Chisos Mountains Lodge will be visible. Sit and enjoy the view for a while as you realize your trip is almost over. Only 3.5 miles of gradual descent now lie between you and a cold one at the Basin Lodge Restaurant.

Congratulations! You have just completed your journey through a very wild corner of the United States. Chances are you met very few other people, if any. There are not many places left in the lower 48 where you can experience such a physical challenge on your own, unhindered by modern technology and noise. Park staff are committed to maintaining this area in its primitive state for future generations to enjoy as you have. We hope that your Big Bend visit exceeded your expectations in every way!