Adventure Guide: Big Bend National Park

Emory Peak 360° views highlight this aerobic climb to Big Bend's highest point.

Emory Peak rises 6,000 feet above the desert, offering big panoramas, a breezy escape from the heat, and an excellent 9-mile trail hike. From busy Chisos Basin Visitor Center, climb 2.5 miles up the Pinnacles Trail to a cool, fragrant pine forest in the Chisos Mountains. Continue south on the Boot Canyon Trail until you reach a junction with the mile-long Emory Peak Trail. Near the summit, a short section of easy scrambling puts you on the 7,825-foot peak. You can include Emory on loop routes up to 17 miles long, via the South Rim and Laguna Meadow Trails.

Glenn Springs/Juniper Canyon Roads Roll through mountain-bike heaven on these fast, wild jeep tracks.

Big Bend contains more than 150 miles of rough backcountry dirt roads, but this 25-mile out-and-back stands out due to its challenging but fast nature and firm surfaces--not the usual sand pits that plague desert biking. Start from the signed Glenn Springs Road turnoff, approximately 6 miles east of Panther Junction Visitor Center on TX 118. Turn around at the Juniper Canyon campsite, or combine this with Black Gap and River Roads for an extensive (and waterless) multiday bikepacking journey. Take the Trails Illustrated #225 Big Bend National Park map and the Road Guide to Backcountry Dirt Roads of BBNP ($2). Rentals, shuttles, and additional beta are available from Desert Sports in Terlingua (888-989-6900; www.desertsportstx.com).

Marufo Vega Trail Test your routefinding skills on this rugged route through the Deadhorse Mountains.

This rough, 14-mile cairned loop heads north from Boquillas Canyon Road near Boquillas Canyon Overlook, climbs the austere Deadhorse Mountains, then plummets 800 feet to the Rio Grande downstream from Boquillas Canyon. As it climbs the southwest slopes of the range, the trail splits into north and south forks. Both forks descend to the river, and connect via a trail along its Texas (western) bank. Routefinding is easier counterclockwise, from the south fork to the north fork, because cairns are more pronounced at the north fork's river junction. There is no water along this potentially oven-hot route, so carry 5 to 8 liters per person. Watch your routefinding; several intersections are easily missed. Download an NPS map of the trail at www.nps.gov/bibe/backcountry/marufovegatrail.htm.