10 Mariscal Mountain
A day hike to the rim of spectacular Mariscal Canyon, one of three major canyons carved by the Rio Grande at Big Bend.
Distance: 6.6 miles out and back
Approximate hiking time: 4 hours
Elevation: 1,980 to 3,260 feet
Trail surface: Dirt path
Best season: Fall through spring
Water availability: None
Land status: National park
Nearest town: Terlingua/Study Butte
Fees and permits: Park entrance fee
Maps: USGS Mariscal Mountain; Trails Illustrated Big Bend National Park
Trail contacts: Big Bend National Park, P.O. Box 129, Big Bend National Park 79834; (432) 477-2251
Finding the trailhead: From park headquarters at Panther Junction, take the paved road southeast to Rio Grande Village. At about 15 miles, turn right onto the marked River Road. A high-clearance vehicle is usually necessary to traverse the dirt River Road. After heavy rains the road may be impassable or require a four-wheel-drive vehicle. (Be sure to inquire at park headquarters about road conditions before starting this trip.) Follow the River Road for about 23 miles to the Talley turnoff on the left. Before reaching the Talley turnoff, you will pass several side roads to old fishing camps and primitive campsites. Glenn Spring and Black Gap Roads fork off to the right, making alternate return routes, although Black Gap Road is very rough. Follow Talley Road about 6 miles to the trailhead (0.5 mile past Talley Campsite 2 and 0.5 mile before the end of the road at the river). Stop in the parking area up on the bank above the floodplain. Talley can also be reached by following River Road from the west, but the route is much rougher.
Note: Don’t leave any valuables (or ideally, anything) in your vehicle. Cars have been broken into at the trailhead.
The Hike
The Rio Grande cuts through Mariscal Mountain, forming the narrowest canyon in the park. Its sheer walls tower 1,300 feet above the river. Peregrine falcons drift high above the water, searching for prey. Mercury ore was discovered in 1900 on the north side of Mariscal Mountain, and mines were worked sporadically until 1943. The River Road passes the ruins of the mines on the way to Talley.
The Mariscal Mountain topo map does not show this trail. The Trails Illustrated map shows the trail but does not locate it accurately on the mountain.
This trail is little used, so you are unlikely to see anyone else on your hike. The first 1.5 miles of the trail are easy as it crosses the flats and gentle slopes at the base of the mountain. The trail then begins the steep, rocky climb to the top of Mariscal Mountain. The stark, cactus-covered desert slopes climb with little relief until you reach the crest. A short walk southeast across the top brings you, sweating and panting, to the sheer lip of the spectacular canyon. Be careful on the edge; there’s nothing between you and the river but air. On occasion you may see the tiny dot of a raft as it negotiates the Tight Squeeze rapid.
This is not a summer hike. I made the trip in mid-April at high noon and was toasted in more than 100-degree heat. There is no shade. Three liters of water was not enough to get me through the entire hike in properly hydrated condition. The rugged, isolated trail is best done by experienced hikers. The warnings said, don’t miss this spectacular, little-traveled trail. With a topo map, expert hikers can continue cross-country to the Cross Canyon Trail and descend to the river in the heart of the canyon.
Miles and Directions
0.0Start at the trailhead at Talley.
1.5Trail begins to climb above the flats.
3.3Reach the rim of Mariscal Canyon. Retrace your steps.
6.6Arrive back at the trailhead.