Homer Wilson Ranch Trail

Trail to the Homer Wilson Ranch line camp.

NPS/CA Hoyt

Quick Facts

Location:

7.7 miles from the northern end of Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.

Significance:

Early 20th-century ranching

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places

Amenities

3 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Parking - Auto, Trailhead

Trail Information:

Roundtrip Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km)
Elevation Change: 200 feet (61 m)
Average walking time: 30 minutes

A short walk down the hill from the overlook leads to the early-20th-century Homer Wilson Blue Creek Ranch line camp. Hidden in the brush are the remains of a corral with a central snubbing post, a dipping vat for sheep and goats, and a ranch house with a shady porch.

Accessibility

The rock and gravel trail follows the old road down a steep hill and across two drainages that may flood during the rainy season. The trail climbs the bank of Blue Creek and leads to the ranchhouse. Other features of the line camp are hidden in thick brush, connected by an indistinct trail.

Hike Smart

Bring plenty of water!
Carry 1 liter of water per person per hour that you plan to hike. The importance of carrying enough water in this hot, dry climate cannot be overstated!

Eat
Your body needs food for energy and salts and electrolytes to replace what it's losing from perspiration. The dry climate at Big Bend means that sweat often evaporates almost instantly; your body is likely losing lots of moisture and salts without you even realizing it. Eat plenty of salty snacks to keep your body's salt-to-water ratio in balance.

Sun protection
Carry sunscreen and use it liberally. Hats are also strongly recommended. It may seem strange to wear long-sleeved shirts and pants in hot weather, but many hikers choose lightweight, breathable clothing which covers their arms and legs to protect themselves from the sun. 

Don't leave people behind
If you're hiking in a group, make sure the person in the back always has someone to help.

Be aware of wildlife
Keep an eye out for snakes, and remember to maintain a safe distance between yourself and all wildlife. Animals in the park are wild and should never be approached, harassed, or fed.

Don't stack rocks
Cairns are stacks of rocks which are sometimes used to mark trails in areas where they are hard to follow. Randomly stacked rocks can lure hikers off the correct trail.