Big Bend National Park Backpacking | The South Rim | Chisos Mountains

Its been a while since we've been able to get out backpacking and I wanted to do something big. So we loaded up and drove 8 hours west to Big Bend National Park for a 2 night backpacking trip in the Chisos Mountains. This was my family's first big mountain backpacking trip all together. My sons are 6 and 9 and did an awesome job on this loop that included going up the Pinnacles Trail, down Boot Canyon, up to the South Rim (for the best view in the state), and back down the Laguna Meadows Trail. While it wasn't always easy, the entire trip was a big time success. I hope this leaves a lasting memory for my boys and ends up being one of many backpacking trips together.

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Outstanding

[@GeezerAdventures]

Adorable!!

[@ElDiabl0187]

That was a beautiful video

[@CameronHall88]

Thanks so much. I appreciate you watching!

[@1121gsm]

Loved this video. My wife and I have started our grandson (7 yo) on mountain trekking and camping. He loves it as much as your children do. We were in Big Bend (Emory Peak--March 2021) just before the fire. One of my favorite places on Earth. This brings back some very good memories.

[@CameronHall88]

Oh thats awesome. It is a really cool place. And I think the Chisos are a great place for big mountain experiences without really being too far out. I just got back from taking my oldest son to Last Chance Canyon in NM. He was a trooper. The thorns were tough to hike through. Be he did great. Thanks a lot for watching. Hope all is well.

[@jcfilms1845]

Thank you for the video. Going up there in December!

[@CameronHall88]

Awesome. Thanks for watching. I hope you have a great trip!

[@thomasfoster0327]

Great video

[@CameronHall88]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching.

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

I always enjoy your videos please keep sharing

[@CameronHall88]

Thanks a lot for watching.

[@jeffwrinkle575]

Great trip and great video. Looks like the family had fun. Good to know my family is not alone with all the "Dad Jokes".

[@CameronHall88]

Ours are kid jokes. Haha. They read these in their joke book or hear them from TV. It was a great trip. Everyone enjoyed it. Thanks a lot for watching.

[@kirbyhill3411]

Great video! And you are ROCKING that facial hair!

[@CameronHall88]

Haha, I was. It didn't last too much longer after that trip!

[@kirbyhill3411]

@@CameronHall88 Me and a friend are scheduled to hike South Rim in April. What map do you recommend?

[@Panhandlepiper]

Loved the video. Very well done. Beautiful views. Your two boys remind me of my two grandsons. Hope to take them on a hike at Palo Duro this fall.

[@CameronHall88]

That's awesome! I hope your trip goes well!

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

That was really cool Cameron. I even laughed at the evening jokes. LOL I see you still have the Jam 70 and Olivia still using the smaller one. Those rangers have been lying about that spring forever. This was fun to watch.

[@CameronHall88]

Yeah still using a lot of the same old gear. I still like Golite Packs. And use the 70 for high volume gear like insulation in winter time or the 4 person tent we had on this trip. Although, I definitely could have probably used the Jam50 and it would have been alright. Wish I still had the Golite Ion. It's the only pack I ever sold that I regret selling. My boys are full of it. When they aren't fighting like brothers do, they're hamming it up.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

@@CameronHall88 I sold my Jam 70 years ago and just yesterday I sold my Imogene UL2. May the Golite God's forgive me

[@CameronHall88]

It's the end of an Era.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Man congrats to you and your family for completing a tough and amazing hike. Looks like everyone had a great time!

[@CameronHall88]

Yeah, it was a great trip. Same route we did, but obviously a completely different trip. Both were great in their own way. Definitely made me want to do another OML.

[@nathanhollis9298]

Pinnacles is no joke. Tough trail especially after a long drive. And couscous is my new go to dinner. If you’re a fan of spam, highly recommend.

[@CameronHall88]

I like spam alright. If I'm eating it with something else. I'll give it a try. Cous cous is just so easy.

[@alexwbanks70]

Great family trip! You need the regular squeeze my man. I used that mini for years before I realized how slow it is.

[@CameronHall88]

I know! I told my wife, if I had to filter regularly I'd have the regular. But I rarely have to filter so I have just been rolling with the mini.

[@davecat1458]

Well done family! Making memories. Hey…have you done Casa Grande?

[@CameronHall88]

Thanks a lot for watching. I never have. I haven't done any off trail peaks in Big Bend. The views I've seen from videos look great. I know there are several trip reports and details on BigBendChat.

[@RussellPecot]

Great video. Love those views on the rim. We went the opposite direction.... Up Laguna Meadows, Colima, Boot Canyon to NE4. Back down Boot Canyon and Pinnacles the next day. I guess we missed running into each other by only a day or two. We were out there Thursday/Friday. Backcountry camping out of the car before and after. Drove back to Houston Sunday morning.

[@CameronHall88]

That's a good route. I've never been to the East Rim. Something I've had on the list for a while. Yeah, sounds like we barely missed each other.

[@OneMansOdyssey]

I get the impression that the rangers just tell people "no water in Boot Spring" just to keep people from relying on it. They said the same thing to me in January 2020, and it was the same deal.

[@CameronHall88]

That is definitely the case. It is well talked about over on BigBendChat. I always look there for water reports before I go to Big Bend. It has worked well for me on my last several trips. Can't ever take the ranger's word for it.

[@johnnyguerra3754]

Glad to see you backpacking again and the family to join is a bonus. I was in BB last year and can't wait to go back. If you don't mind me asking what camera and video software do you use. I just like the clear pictures of your video. TIA

[@CameronHall88]

I just use my phone which is a Samsung Galaxy S10. I use a Rode microphone and a small Amazon tripod. It works out pretty well. Although it's definitely not the nicest setup. The picture quality and stabilization of this phone compared to my last phone is night and day.

[@johnnyguerra3754]

@@CameronHall88 thanks for the reply. I use my Samsung active S7. I downloaded the free version of VSDC video editor for now.

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

I was in Fort Davis last weekend and I hiked the trails from the forks historical site up to the Overlook. A few weeks prior I was at Big Bend National Park and went to Santa Elena Canyon.

[@CameronHall88]

Man, you're all over some great places. I love that Davis Mountains area. Such a cool place. We considered going to Santa Elena this trip but instead drove down to Rio Grande Village as we were short on time. I'd love to spend a week or two out there. Thanks again for watching.

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

@@CameronHall88 I'm planning a Day hike at Lost Maples State Natural Area the second week of November

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

Have you visited Devils River State Natural Area? I plan to visit it next week.

[@CameronHall88]

@@hikingwithjackieboy I haven't. It's on a long bucket list. Would love to kayak it one day.

[@hikingwithjackieboy]

@@CameronHall88 me to the kayak trip from Devil's River State Natural Area to Lake Amistad is about a 3-day trip and requires a permit for Parks and Wildlife

[@meaganramsey9550]

Hi there! We love your videos!! So I’m thinking about getting my husband a GPS tracker, do you use one? If so, what kind? Thanks!!

[@CameronHall88]

I don't use one. I only have my phone for checking downloaded maps but I don't have a way of communication without cell signal. If I continue to travel more and more off trail, I will probably look into getting one myself. Thanks a ton for watching.

[@cmoney5973]

I am looking to go here in April this year but my only concern is water. (How much should I carry/will finding water be possible) How much water did you carry with you? On the TPWD website it says water is rarely found on the trail. Where was the “pipe” located along the trail and are there other locations along the trail where you could fill up? I am planning to go with 1-2 more people for 2 nights/3 days or 3 nights/4 days

[@CameronHall88]

It depends on time of year. The Boot Canyon Spring in the Chisos will have flowing water at various points throughout the year. Check BigBendChat or call the park for water reports. There are also pools of water in Boot Canyon most of the year. That would be all the water you're going to easily come across in the Chisos Mountains at the National Park. The lower desert hikes are much different and have many more water sources. To many to list. The best place for all this info is definitely BigBendChat.

[@ChucoHiker]

This looked fantastic, my favorite joke was bay gulls! You had some real nice shots of the local flora and of your family hiking. I find having a human in the shot often makes it a little more interesting, it adds a bit of story to the picture. The walking stick was real cool too! How did those biscuits and gravy turn out? What was the brand of gravy you used? I might have to give this one a shot with some Taco Bell sauce.

[@CameronHall88]

So I had the biscuits and gravy on one of our trips too. They turned out great then. On this trip I added a little too much water to mine. But it was alright. I'd definitely lean toward using slightly less water than suggested for a thicker gravy. I think it was pioneer brand. Anything with a lot of pepper is good to me. I love the mess free freezer bag cooking.

[@ChucoHiker]

@@CameronHall88 I knew that recipe looked familiar! I’m glad I finally gave freezer bag cooking a try. I’m still happy to go stoveless, but cooked food is sooo much better. I enjoyed this video man, thanks for sharing it!