Hiking 3 Short Trails

In Big Bend National Park

I love hiking and walking through nature to see what I can see. Rich and I “usedtocould” (northwest Ohio slang for “used to be able to”) hike 10 miles in one day. Then I broke my legs and gained a lot of weight. I am trying to work my way back up to doing some short hikes. Two of these three short hikes in the national park were easy. One was moderate. Next time I will do the moderate trail first instead of last.

Window View Trail

The first place we went was to Chisos Basin in the mountains and walked the short loop trail to see the Window View. This trail is called the Window View Trail. It is paved and is only 0.3 miles long. What a view at the back of the loop looking through two mountains into the valley below.

There is a bench to sit on and watch sunrises or sunsets. We sat for just a minute and enjoyed the magnificent view.

I struggled a little with my breathing because we were at 5,450 feet. With my asthma I notice labored breathing above 5,000. I take my time and walk slow. Slow and steady wins the race and gets me through the short trails.

Sam Nail Ranch Trail

The second place we went was to the Sam Nail Ranch. It is located on the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. This trail is not paved but is stoned and packed. It is 0.5 miles and is also easy. You can’t see much from the road and must walk back to see the house ruins.

The Sam Nail Ranch was once an active homestead in this area before the National Park Service took it over. It has been long abandoned and what remains today is a metal shed, part of the old house walls, and the working windmill.

We sat for a while on the bench at the windmill and watched mockingbirds fly around. I couldn’t get a good enough picture of one. The windmill still pumps water and keeps this little oasis alive.

Homer Wilson Ranch Trail

The third trail we ventured to walk was the Homer Wilson Ranch Trail. This ranch was established in 1929 and abandoned in 1945.

This trail is 0.5 miles long and more moderate in difficulty. You can see the trail below to the ranch. The trail goes down the hill and around to the buildings. Remember whenever you walk a trail that for every step you go down, you must come back up. Coming back up is the hard part.

I pushed myself to do these three short hikes in one day and I am glad I did. Maybe in a few days we will hike some more. The weather here is ideal every day, not too cold and not too hot. Perfect weather for some adventures.

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