Hiking Emory Peak in Big Bend

Emory Peak is the highest point in Beg Bend Nat'l Park, so of course Carlene wanted to hike it!  That was a great idea too.  10.6 miles round trip and 2500' elevation gain to 7850', and we're tired.  It was easier than it sounds, trails here are switchback rather than straight up, and lots of rock steps.  Hard to believe how many rock steps.  Being a park it gets a lot of use and that must be why they go to all that effort.  The last 50' of rise is nearly vertical.  A semi-technical free climb just beyond our abilities, so we were quite happy to get to the base of that.  6.5 hour round trip, the park says 7 is average.

We saw some deer on the trail.  I mean right on the trail.  They didn't care.  With lots of hikers and no hunting they have no concern about humans.

The lion sign was interesting.  They say there are a couple dozen in the park.  The bear are a lot more common.  They have bear boxes everywhere, in all the campgrounds.  They don't have much of a problem as long as people don't feed them.

We were just walking Callahan before bed, the coyotes were out behind the campground howling to each other.  Probably 100 yards out and several of them in an arc covering one whole side of camp.  Cool!

Park signs made of metal with the words cut out.  These should last a while!