Big Bend - Mule Ears Trail

Trail
3.80 Miles
N/A
$20.00
4point5stars (4.67)3
2point5stars (2.50)
3stars (3.00)
No
No
No
N/A
Brewster
More Info
Photos
Beautiful Vistas
A view of the desert valley taken from the Mule Ears Peaks area. One of the many classic Big Bend National Park views. (Photo by Blaze)
Mule Ears Peaks
A close-up of the two impressive rocky peaks. (Photo by Blaze)
Quartz Crystals
There are some natural quartz crystals in the rock along the trail. Very cool! (Photo by Blaze)
View Of The Trail
The trail on the way to the peaks. (Photo by Blaze)
Trail Map
This display map at the trailhead shows the trail route. You can see Mule Ears Peaks in the background. (Photo by Blaze)
Mule Ears Peak
(Photo by pixistixs)
Hidden Oasis
Hidden Oasis (Photo by pixistixs)
Mule Ears Trail - Big Bend
Our hiking club strung out on the trail. 10/9/1998 (Photo by Eveline)
Mule Ears Trail - Big Bend
Another shot of the hiking club on the trail. (Photo by Eveline)
Log Entries
Mule Ears Spring Is OK, But Keep Going!
By Blaze on 3/7/2008
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

The hike to Mule Ears Spring is relatively flat, although there are a few sections where you have to scale some small hills on the way.

The trail takes you through some scenic areas and it culminates at Mule Ears Spring.  It is nothing spectacular, but it is an oasis in the middle of nowhere.

If you stop and turnaround here, you will be left with a so-so feeling. BUT KEEP GOING where the sign points to Smoky Creek.  About a mile past the Spring, you will encounter a lot of beautiful quartz rocks and crystals.  It's as if you are walking through Mother Nature's jewelry store!  It's tempting to take some souvenirs, but please remember that collecting is not allowed in the park.  Allow the park to be enjoyed by future generations as much as you enjoyed it.

After another half mile, you will descend down the side of a large hill adjacent to what I assume is Smoky Creek.  There is no sign saying it is Smoky Creek, but the creek is filled with a lot of black rocks.

At the floor of the hill, you can walk out the desert valley and get a spectacular view of Mule Ears from the back side.  The trail keeps going, but I'm not sure where it ended, so I turned around on the desert valley floor.

The sights beyond Mule Ears Spring far exceed the first half, so be sure not to stop at the Spring and keep going for more surprises and wonderment.

Nice Day Hike - hidden oasis
By pixistixs on 3/20/2005
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3point5stars
Distance: 3.80 Miles Duration: N/A
Hiked out in the morning and unexpectedly found a fresh water oasis with thick lush vegitation in the afternoon. We camped near here and hiked back to have dinner next to the trickling waterfall. Watched a beautiful sunset over Muel Ears peak. We saw at least 30 people within first .25 mile, but after that they thinned out to one or two around dusk. Fantastic hike.
Very Hot - Carry lots of Water
By Eveline on 10/9/1998
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A
This was done with the West Texas Trail Walkers. Easy trail, mostly flat. Lots of cactus and wide open spaces.
Recommended Item
Recommended Item Hiking Big Bend National Park: A Guide to the Big Bend Area’s Greatest Hiking Adventures, including Big Bend Ranch State Park
Laurence Parent
List Price: $22.95 Your price: $20.29 Buy Now
For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuide® has set the standard for outdoor recreation guidebooks. Written by top outdoors experts and enthusiasts, each guide invites you to experience the endless adventure and rugged beauty of the great outdoors. Hiking Big Bend National Park features forty-seven of the finest trails in Texas-from short day hikes to backcountry treks. With this comprehensive guide, veteran hiker Laurence Parent provides all the information you need to get the most out of hiking this natural wonderland.