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Texas

Hiking in the Unspoiled Beauty of Big Bend

Program No. 11958RJ

From desert vegetation to the lush floodplains of the Rio Grande, from dinosaur fossils to Native American pictographs, come hike and learn the story of Big Bend, in Texas.

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Itinerary

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Duration

6 days

5 nights

What's Included

14 meals ( 5B, 4L, 5D )

2 expert-led lectures

9 expert-led field trips

An experienced Group Leader

5 nights of accommodations

Taxes and customary gratuity

Road Scholar Assurance Plan

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Day

Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner

Location: Big Bend Country

Meals: D

Stay: Marathon Motel

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.

Day

Hot Springs, Panther Junction

Location: Big Bend Country

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Marathon Motel

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. Visit Panther Junction.

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:

We’ll visit Panther Junction, the park’s main Visitor Center. We’ll return to our lodging mid-afternoon.

Dinner:

At Gage Restaurant.

Evening:

Before dinner, there will be a presentation by a local architect featuring alternative building techniques in west Texas near Marathon Motel.

Day

Hiking "The Window" & Lost Mine Overlook

Location: Big Bend Country

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Marathon Motel

Activity Note

Getting in/out of a passenger van. Hiking about 4.8 miles throughout the morning; several low-water stream crossings. Elevation loss approximately 500 feet. Waterproof hiking shoes or boots recommended. This hike is there and back. Hiking 2.0 miles to the Lost Mine Overlook .

Breakfast:

At Rita's Cantina.

Morning:

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. We will also hike to the Oak Springs Overlook. Degree of difficulty: Strenuous.

Lunch:

Sack lunch on the trail.

Afternoon:

In the Chisos Mountains, we will set out for a spectacular hike to the Lost Mine Overlook. Degree of difficulty: Medium.

Dinner:

Rita's Cantina.

Evening:

Star Party at the Marathon Motel with a local expert.

Day

Fossil Exhibit, Upper Burro Mesa, Santa Elena

Location: Big Bend Country

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Marathon Motel

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.

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. 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.

Dinner:

At Rita's Cantina.

Evening:

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

Day

High Chisos Mountain Loop Full Day Hike

Location: Big Bend Country

Meals: B,L,D

Stay: Marathon Motel

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.

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 Brick Vault. We will share favorite experiences and camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends after dinner.

Evening:

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

Day

Program Concludes

Location: Big Bend Country

Meals: B

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!

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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.

Dec 7 - Dec 12, 2025 Itinerary Differences: This date is a Challenging activity level with hiking 7-12 miles daily over varied terrain; Elevations up to 6,850 feet.

Hiking in the Unspoiled Beauty of Big Bend

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

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