Mariscal Mine / Glenn Springs Backcountry Tour is the most remote day trip we offer. We drive approximately 50 miles on scenic Big Bend back roads to Mariscal Mine, the best preserved of all the old mines in the area, and stop at Glenn Springs, site of an infamous raid by Mexican bandits on May 5, 1916.
CHISOS LODGE – Mariscal Mine and Glenn Springs
8:30 am – Meet our guests
Meet guests at Chisos Mountains Lodge.
9:00 am – Paleontology Exhibit
This open-air museum guides visitors through millions of years of geology, with displays and sculptures depicting habitats of these remote times, and the creatures who once inhabited them.
10:00 am – Drive to Glenn Springs
Glenn Springs was a small village dedicated to processing a high quality wax from the Candelilla plant. During the border troubles associated with the Mexican Revolution of that era, a party of “bandits” from Mexico raided the town. During a three hour firefight, three US soldiers from a small detachment stationed there were killed, as well as a 7 year-old boy. Just before Glenn Springs, we visit an obscure archeological site, with a few petroglyphs and rock mortars. Drive 25 miles on paved road and than take River Road East toward Mariscal Mine.
11:30 pm – Mariscal Mine
The history of the mining era is frozen in these stark structures. How these elaborate industrial fixtures were installed and operated under the most remote and harsh conditions boggles the mind. We take a picnic lunch before or after a walk into the past, with beautiful, 360 degree panoramas.
2:00 pm – Drive River Road East
From Mariscal Mine we drive the eastern portion of River Road, a distance of about 25 miles of unpaved road until we hit the pavement again a few miles from Rio Grande Village This tour is dependent on dry road conditions-rain can quickly make this route impassable. We avoid operating this trip during the summer rainy season, and will always take a look at the forecast beforehand.
3:30pm
5:00 pm – Return to Chisos Mountains Lodge.
Please note
Times are estimated. We are always happy to be flexible with the itinerary; as long as we get you back in time for dinner. We are happy to arrange custom itineraries and exclusive trips, as well as help plan your complete trip to the beautiful Big Bend.
Price
2-3 guests, $200 per guest. 4-5 guests, $160 per guest. Children 12 and under are 25% off. For larger groups, please contact mike@gobigbend.com or call 432 386-5635. Big Bend Texas Travel is licensed to operate tours by vehicle, on foot, by raft or canoe within Big Bend National Park.