Big Bend - The Marufo Vega

Lone Star Trekking

Rating: 3 Moderate (click to see rating defined)
4 Days - $575 per person

Trip Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet your guides and other group members at 4:00PM, inside Big Bend National Park.   We will have
an orientation, safety briefing, gear distribution and pack fitting. Dinner is included, but the Chisos Mountains
Lodge Restaurant is available for those wishing to eat there.

Day 2: Our first day on the trail. After breakfast, we'll drive the short distance to the trail head. We begin our trip
on the Lost Mine Trail. After a short distance, we turn off the main trail and follow a steep and rugged trail to the
summit of a seldom visited peak. At the 7300ft summit we'll have a breath taking view down into the Basin and
to the Window. We retrace our steps to the Lost Mine Trail and continue to its end and the views down into
Pine and Juniper Canyons. We'll return to our vehicles to drive along the scenic road to Rio Grande Village.
We will make a pit stop at the Hot Springs to soak in the soothing 105 degree waters, then continue on to our
camp for the night in Rio Grande Village.
Distance: 7 miles Elevation Start: 5600ft Elevation End: 5600ft

Day 3: After breakfast, we'll drive to the trail head for the Marufo Vega. As we make our way up a dry creek bed,
we'll see evidence of the area's mining pass as we cross the remains of the aerial ore tramway. The Marufo
Vega takes into the heart of the Dead Horse Mountains with the Sierra Del Carmen in Mexico on the horizon.
Along the way we'll drop our packs and hike a short distance off trail to an overlook down into Boquillas Canyon
and watch birds soar as the Rio Grande rolls by almost 1000ft below. After picking up our packs, we'll
continue on to our camp site for the night, near the Rio Grande.
Distance: 9 miles Elevation Start: 1880ft Elevation End: 1800ft

Day 4: We continue our adventure and follow the trail as it parallels the river. The trail then enters a steep and
narrow canyon that climbs up and away from the river. We'll take in views up and down the canyon with caves
and fascinating rock formations. Wild burros left from the area's ranching era, will warily watch us as we hike
through the canyon. The trail makes a loop and rejoins itself. From here we'll retrace our steps back to the
trail head and our awaiting vehicles.
Distance: 7 miles Elevation Start: 1800ft Elevation End: 1880ft

Note on itinerary: Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to
change due to permit and campsite availability, and other reasons beyond our control. This trip is operated
rain or shine.

Trip Preparedness: This is a level 3 trip. Participants will be carrying their own backpacks with weights of
35-45 lbs over steep and rocky terrain with constant and dramatic elevation gain and/or loss. Trip members
need to be in good physical condition. To maximize your enjoyment of the trip, we strongly encourage
participants to be involved in a training regimen before the trip.   Day hiking with 30-40 lbs in a pack and
making sure your hiking boots are broken in before your trip is key.

Trip Price Includes: Professional instruction and guiding; all meals; backpacks, tent, sleeping pad, sleeping
bag, head lamp, stove, cooksets; group first aid kit, water filters; campsite and backcountry permit fees.

Not included: Transportation from your hometown to group meeting point; park entrance fees; insurance of
any kind (travel insurance is recommended);energy drinks; alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; guide gratuities
and items of a personal nature.

Tipping Guidelines: Tipping at the end of the trip is optional. If you feel your guides did an outstanding job and
would like to reward them for their efforts, $5-$20 dollars per day, per guide is a suggested guideline.

Closest Airports:
Midland/Odessa (MAF) 4 hours
Del Rio (DRT) 4 hours
El Paso (ELP) 5 hours
San Antonio (SAT) 7 hours
Austin (AUS) 8 hours

Important Information about Air Travel: Contact Lone Star Trekking prior to purchasing your airline tickets to
confirm the trip has the minimum number of participants required to operate. We will contact you once the
minimum number of participants has been reached.

Weather: Daytime temperatures usually range in the 60s - 90s ºF but can sometimes climb even higher.
Night time temperatures drop into the 40s - 50s or even lower. While rain is not common, there is always the
possibility of showers or storms, so rain gear is important, even in this arid landscape.

Day Hiking & The Marufo Vega