Hiking in the Unspoiled Beauty of Big Bend

Activity note: Motel check-in available from 4:00-5:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Program Registration: 4:00-5:00 p.m. Upon arrival, check-in at the Marathon Motel main office. Here you will register with the program staff, get any updated information, confirm the time and location of the orientation session, and get keys to your room. After registration, there will be some time to settle into your room before the welcome dinner and orientation. For arrivals after 5:00 p.m. please contact us directly using the contact information in our pre-program communication.

Dinner: At the Rita's Cantina, behind the main office of Marathon Motel.

Evening: Orientation: 7:00 p.m. at Rita's Cantina. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. We will review COVID-19 protocols and will adhere to applicable requirements and guidelines throughout the program. Transportation will be provided via 15 passenger vans. Hikes will be led by a hiking instructor. Dinner locations have alcohol available for purchase onsite. If you wish to have a drink during dinner that is not included with the meal, purchase your beverage from the establishment. If you wish to buy your own supply for down time, you are more than welcome to do so, but please do not bring outside beverages to the dinner meals. The last night is BYOB. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a passenger van. Hiking about 3+ miles; a portion along a canyon wall with sheer cliffs on one side, long portions of hike with little shade. Minimal elevation change. Bring a hat and sunscreen. Bring swimwear if you wish to swim at hot springs; restrooms available to change in. Hike Rio Grande Village Nature Trail and visit Panther Junction. Mileage from the hotel to the trailhead= 90 miles; 92 minutes.

Breakfast: At Rita's Cantina.

Morning: Our morning hike will take us along the Rio Grande on the east side of the river and the historic Hot Springs. At the Hot Springs there will be plenty of time to view the restored buildings of the early settlement and health resort from 1900 to 1940 as well as Native American rock art. There will also be time to soak and relax in the springs.

Lunch: Field lunch at Historic Hot Springs.

Afternoon: Hike Rio Grande Village Nature Trail. 1 Mile Round trip, 200 ft. elevation gain crossing a wetland area showcasing riparian plants and animals with 360 view at the summit. We’ll visit Panther Junction, the park’s main Visitor Center. We’ll return to our lodging mid-afternoon with some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.

Dinner: Dinner at the Gage Hotel.

Evening: Dark Night Sky Presentation near hotel by local expert.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a passenger van. Hiking 4.8 miles throughout the morning. 1100 ft. elevation gain. Hiking about 4.8 miles throughout the afternoon; several low-water stream crossings. Elevation loss approximately 900 feet. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots recommended. Mileage from the hotel to the trailhead= 78 miles; 80 minutes.

Breakfast: At Rita's Cantina.

Morning: In the Chisos Mountains, we will set out for a spectacular hike along the Lost Mine Trail. It affords a 360-degree view into the southeastern section of the National Park. One of the most popular hikes in the park, we will be rewarded with spectacular views of Pine Canyon and the Sierra del Carmen and in Mexico. On a clear day, one can see hundreds of miles! Elevation gain 1,100 feet. Degree of difficulty: Medium.

Lunch: Sack lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: In the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park, we will hike “The Window” — a break in the mountain range looking out across the desert; the end of the hiking trail crosses several streams of water. Steep and loose debris in sections. It’s a there and back hike.

Dinner: Dinner at French Grocer.

Evening: We will be joined by a local expert on the alternative building techniques at Eve's Garden. A small town of under 400 people founded in 1882, Marathon- pronounced "mare-a-thin" by its residents- is known for serving tourists as a final stop before entering Big Bend.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a passenger van. Hiking up to 4 miles throughout the morning; uneven terrain, crossing multiple creek beds. Hiking up to 2 miles throughout the afternoon; multiple steps along a canyon wall. Elevation gain approximately 200 feet. Mileage from the hotel to the trailhead= 87 miles; 91 minutes.

Breakfast: At Rita's Cantina

Morning: Visit the Fossil Exhibit, the newest addition to the Park in 2017, where we will learn about the ancient seas and life that existed here more than 250 million years ago on a self-guided tour. We will meet a Big Bend Interpretive Ranger for an informative presentation. Our hike this morning will be along the Upper Burro Mesa Trail. The trail is about 4 miles dry through a creek bed with some rocky portions to maneuver and slight elevation gain. Trail is wide, with some stairs to climb with a steep drop off on one side. Can be muddy in sections if there have been recent rains.

Lunch: Sack lunch on the trail.

Afternoon: We will then head to the Castolon area of Big Bend National Park for a self-directed exploration. Castolon was an old cavalry post built in 1920. The military withdrew in 1921 and it then became a frontier trading post. Our next hike along the Santa Elena Canyon Nature Trail will begin at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on the west side of the park. We’ll hike through the famous canyon as the walls rise to 1,800 feet. Our next hike along the Santa Elena Canyon Nature Trail will begin at the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on the west side of the park. We’ll hike through the famous canyon with walls that rise to 1,800 feet. We will also learn about the Rio Grande that forms part of the U.S.-Mexico border. We will tour the Terlingua Ghost Town before dinner.

Dinner: Dinner at the Starlight in Terlingua Ghost Town.

Evening: Returning to our lodging, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.

Activity note: Getting in/out of a passenger van. Hiking about 12 miles throughout the day; mountain terrain, well-shaded with conifers and hoodoos, well-defined trail, rocky at times, steep switchbacks. Elevation gain approximately 2,400 feet. Degree of difficulty: Strenuous. Mileage from the hotel to the trailhead= 78 miles, 80 minutes.

Breakfast: At Rita's Cantina.

Morning: We will spend the day hiking in the beautiful Chisos Mountains. We will start in the Basin, hiking 12 miles round-trip with about 2,400 foot elevation gain. The trail follows switchbacks up into the mountains with steep and rocky terrain. Our hike will take us through woodlands opening up to excellent views into the Basin. We will be in the highest part of Big Bend National Park, and the views are often 100 miles in distance.

Lunch: On the trail in the heart of the Chisos Mountains, we’ll have sack lunches.

Afternoon: We will continue hiking the High Chisos Mountain Loop with return to our accommodations around 4:00 p.m.

Dinner: At the Brick Vault. We will share favorite experiences and camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends at Rita's Cantina after dinner.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Activity note: Motel check-out by 11:00 a.m.

Breakfast: To-go Breakfast at Rita's Cantina. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!