The Texas Hike That’s 100% Worth Braving the Cold

Winter hikes in Texas look a bit different than in other parts of the country. Snow is basically a pipe dream — but that doesn’t mean we have to ignore the season entirely. I certainly don’t! The slowness and stillness of winter make it perfect for enjoying some contemplative time outdoors, with the added bonus of a reprieve from the heat that often makes for miserable hikes.

One of my favorite trails to hit this time of year is the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail in Big Bend National Park. Bundle up in a jacket, beanie, and good hiking boots, and escape into the desert on one of the best winter hikes in Texas, filled with ancient volcanic rock and lots of solitude.

At just one mile round-trip, the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated hikes in Big Bend National Park. It’s suitable for beginners with an elevation gain of only 120 feet, and the trail showcases some truly unique rock formations. 

The relatively flat trail meanders along a gravel wash with native flora such as cacti on either side. With the vast desert landscape extending as far as the eye can see in all directions, the rugged path leads into a narrow box canyon that harkens back to the park’s volcanic past.

You’ll marvel at a 100-foot pour-off, which is a seasonal waterfall; this one only flows in the summer. During dry seasons, the deep gorge carved out by the water over eons showcases the power and persistence of the forces of nature. Hikers can actually walk right up to the base of the pour-off, a unique experience I highly recommend taking advantage of. Burro Mesa, which houses the pour-off, is a perfect example of a sedimentary rock formation. It features multicolored, layered bands known as ash-flow tuffs that were created during Big Bend’s volcanic era. 

Considering how unbearably hot the desert can get in the summer, I actually prefer hiking the Lower Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail during the colder months. Something about the stillness and introspective nature of wintertime makes the already otherworldly landscape even more special.

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