— Hiking along the overlook trail to Cinco Tinajas at Big Bend Ranch SP is fairly easy. The loop is only 1.3 miles (2.1 km) from the parking area. It has an elevation of 157 ft (47.85 m). It is an easy trail. From the overlook area, you have an amazing view of the mountains around the area as well as some of the tinajas (bowls) that exist down along the river bed. Getting down to the tinajas will involve a moderate hike. Once on the riverbed floor, you can see sheer cliffs rising around you.
For the more adventurous hiker, from the Cinco Tinajas Loop, one can continue and explore some pictographs along the Leyva Escondido Loop. That is a moderate trail because you will be hiking on river sand and climbing some steep cliffs. A map or GPS device is highly recommended. Besides the pictographs, this trail takes a hiker up to areas where one can have 360-degree views that include Oso Peak, the park’s highest peak.
When we did this hike in March 2019, we were the only people in the area. As a matter of fact, most of the trails in Big Bend Ranch SP are that way. You feel totally isolated and in the middle of nowhere. Since cell phone signal is unavailable is most areas, be sure to have a map with you. One area where you can get a good cell signal is on the lookout point at Cinco Tinajas.
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