The Most Overlooked Trail at Big Bend National Park, Pine Canyon

Pine Canyon is located at the end of gravel road in a relatively unknown area at Big Bend National Park. It has a beauty that rivals McKittrick Canyon near the terminus of the trail. Over 2 miles (4 miles round trip), it ascends through a desert meadow into the forest of the Chisos Mountains and gains about 1000' elevation along the way. Though the map says "4-wheel drive only" I made it no problem with my 2-wheel drive truck. I do recommend a high clearance vehicle on this road, however.
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[@joereedmusic9853]

Around 1959 and 60 my Dad and I used to hunt Javelina along that trail up in the draws and along the stream beds out of the canyons on a one week camping trip with just us and the dogs. Great source of amazement for a 10-11 year old.

[@thomaswick4260]

Don’t go in June I almost got heat stroke 🥵 but we loved it one of the best places I’ve been to in this world.

[@j-dub132]

Love the terrain of Big Bend and that part of Texas!

[@robertstewart7228]

That's one of my favorite trails to hike . I like the bigger pines as your going up on right up.the mountain . Bring your binoculars with you . If you hike after a rain there will be a waterfall at end

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Yeah I wish the trail continued for another mile up the mountain. It's a bit of a tease.

[@m.hernandez1404]

Thanks for bringing us along!

[@jerrysargent1261]

I would have to agree, it is a great hike and on par with McKittrick Canyon. Nice and refreshing at the end after coming up through the hot desert.

[@wendingourway]

Love these off-the-beaten-path trails...just nice to be able to explore away from the crowds...a great hike indeed!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Yeah I didn't see a single person out there until I was halfway back to my vehicle.

[@maryr6901]

I hiked that trail in September 2019 after a rainy period. There was water falling over that big wall at the end of the trail, and a pool of water at the bottom. Absolutely lovely spot! I enjoyed seeing that hike again. Thanks for posting.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Sounds like you were there at the perfect time. Once in a while I find myself in a fortunate situation like that.

[@unclejj2350]

wow! Texas has so much beautiful land within it and you just can't beat the views

[@mkwy8782]

Driving to Big Bend several weeks ago, from Kansas, through the panhandle and south from Amarillo showed Texas to be a very ugly state-in multiple ways. For several hundred miles the roadside was covered with trash and debris of every kind and the small towns were clearly pathologically impoverished. We also had our trailer license stolen in Amarillo.

[@donaldbronikowski5297]

Did this maybe 20 years ago. The last say 1/2 mile or so was my favorite. Spotted a bear with 3 cubs which was the highlight. Allways meant to return but havye to Been doing my hiking in New Mexico exclusively last couple years

[@1121gsm]

We just got back from Big Bend. Summited Emory Peak and did some touring. Wish we could have spent about a month there. Beautiful!!! Thanks for the great video.

[@kenwbrenner]

Thanks for such a nice hiking video. Good photography and narration. Surprised to see fall colors that late, but then - I need to consider how far south this is. Great job...

[@malikyusof]

Pine Canyon trail..nice view and a well narrated vlog. Big like.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks for visiting and the compliment. I hope to see you back here soon.

[@richardbudd5334]

On the way from Atlanta to Big Bend right now. We'll be sure to hike it. Thanks for the tip!

[@sanborns]

Thanks for the tour. I am fortunate to have Mckitterick Canyon just a 50 minute drive from my doorstep. I would say Pine Canyon is just as beautiful from what I can tell in your video.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Wow, you're fortunate to be so close. You can easily see it change with the seasons.

[@sanborns]

@@secretsoftexas6872 Yes, living so close one sometimes take it for granted ....

[@fburnrostro95]

Was just there this weekend and saw a Black Bear foraging on a tree in the last half mile portion!

[@patrickdavis8280]

We were on this trail on December 21 last year, and walked up on a brown bear busy eating. It stayed right along the edge of the trail, so we eventually headed back to the trailhead. We have been up that trail several times, always in December and the waterfall has always been flowing. Pine Canyon Trail is a hidden gem on BBNP.

[@ChucoHiker]

Very nice trail! I’ve only done the outer mountain loop in BIBE, so much more that I need to explore out there. Pine Canyon looks like a great fall hike for sure. You got some nice colors there, I bet it’s really spectacular when the maples are in full color change as well.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Yeah I wasn't planning on capturing fall colors in mid-December. I thought the trees would be bare by then.

[@melgonz.6962]

I was about to say it reminds me McKittrick Canyon, and then you said it, lol. The colors, rocks, and mountain in the background look just like it. I’m gonna have to check it out.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

The only thing I would do different here is make the trail continue another mile up the mountain to one of the rocky pinnacles nearby.

[@mf3361]

Great video , love that park I've only been there once about 20 years ago . I plan on going back there sometime when I have more free time ....

[@paulab9363]

I’m so glad I stumbled on your channel. I’ve been researching some of the Texas state parks for camping and hiking, especially in West Texas, and your videos are excellent. Thank you!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks for visiting. I've got one more from that area coming in a couple of weeks.

[@creative2716]

@ 6:45. gorgeous! Thank you for this hike...

[@nickreynolds8391]

Wow that was spectacular!!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Thanks. It's even better in person.

[@youKnowWho3311]

That is a glorious spot. I could stay there for several days and camp with a minimal kit and some water.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Yes it is. I wish the trail continued for another mile.

[@victoriaauda-harpending1144]

I just bought ten acres in Presidio county ❤can’t wait to retire

[@chaoticgood3935]

Definitely! I overlooked this trail the first 3 times I was there. Now it’s always my first hike which used to be Lost Mine, now I prefer Pine Canyon as there are much less people!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I really enjoyed this one but I wish it continued another mile up the mountain

[@jameshardy7665]

We my son and I have been to Big Bend many times not sure why we skip or miss this trail, Cattail Falls is a great trail, it is not on any NSP park maps and is not marked. partly to protect the fragile environment by limiting visitor numbers, we also went in December love your video tour..

[@sarcasmunlimited1570]

You bought me. If I scrape together enough money, this is where I want to go.

[@weswalker1208]

You have a great sound quality sometimes I wondered if it was a voice over. What kind of microphone? Thank you so much for taking us along that was great.

[@LASKANDUDE]

That’s a good place to find acorn woodpecker‘s and Mexican Jay’s and Band-tailed pigeons.

[@spicer41282]

Love the views! Thanks for taking us along. The only thing missing? Which I might follow your footsteps with? Drone aerial footages. Perhaps I can call it: Bird's Eye View Texas Secrets. What do you think? Great Vid(s)!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

It's my understanding that drones aren't allowed in state or national parks. But I can see the potential elsewhere.

[@kellycoleman715]

Very pretty! We have taken the Lost Mine Trail before. Also very scenic. A lady was attacked by a mountain lion there a few years ago and they closed the trail. Temporarily I think. There are a few trailheads in the Chisos mountains basin. I had a close encounter with a mountain lion (aka cougar, aka panther, aka puma) the last time we stayed at the lodge. One night I went out on the back porch of our cabin and a large, male cougar stealthily walked right in front of me. I could have leaned over the rail and touched it. I think it was trailing deer or looking for food scraps. We have also seen black bears around the lodge area on a few occasions. Big Bend is one of our favorite destinations. I was disappointed at how unfriendly the two park rangers we encountered were though. Their behavior was very unprofessional and inexcusable.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I encountered similar rude behavior at Guadalupe Mtns NP

[@kellycoleman715]

@@secretsoftexas6872 So did we. We climbed Guadalupe Peak a few weeks ago and encountered a very ill-tempered officer on the trail. Two of the older women volunteers we met were extremely polite and sweet, however.

[@RobertWilliamssoonerpa]

What time of day did you hike this? Its gorgeous, thank you for sharing!

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I started late morning in December

[@kimberleesublett]

Great video of the trail. I will be going in May and will definitely add that to my list of trails to explore! Do you mind sharing what you shoot your video with. I am looking for something easy to capture video and photos for hiking. Recommendations are appreciated. I don’t have any experience with real high tech cameras.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Gopro, perfect for hiking

[@leese7420]

What are you packing for snakes?

[@jameswilliams2144]

I like to take a cast iron skillet and do them as croquettes, but being in a park they need to be left alone.

[@clydekimsey7503]

Is the road to get there accessible by my moderately high clearance Toyota Rav 4?

[@danielwatkins257]

If I understand it right, the Pine Canyon road splits right off of the Glenn Springs road and leads right up to this. There are five Pine Canyon backcountry camping sites on Pine Canyon road; I've stayed at #3. If you go to #5 at the end of the road, you'll find the trailhead nearby or so I was told. I'm hoping to check it out in October.

[@secretsoftexas6872]

Probably so but there may be a rough spot or two, nothing too crazy. I got there pretty easily in a 2wd Tundra. Just check and see if there's been a recent flash flood.

[@kristophersmallsr.9395]

Any petroglyphs ?

[@secretsoftexas6872]

I didn't see any here but I wasn't looking for them. Go to Seminole Canyon area for some the better ones accessible by the public.

[@dm7622]

Would love to take the family out there should i carry my glock or just some water and snacks

[@secretsoftexas6872]

There is potential for bears or mountain lions here. One of the more likely places to see them is up in the Chisos Basin near the lodge area.

[@creative2716]

and rattlesnakes