As we prepped for our trip to Big Bend National Park, TX , we had a few goals: Pattie wanted to plan hikes around big vistas, Andoni wanted to canoe down the Rio Grande, and we both wanted to go backcountry backpacking – for the first time…

Big Bend National Park is known for its varied landscapes. The river defines its border, desert stretches across the majority of its land, and mountains stand testament to the area’s volcanic past. …

If you read our post about planning this trip, you know that it was our first time backpacking, ever. To say we were pumped was an understatement. We were willing to leave both of our families on Christmas day and take on a 9 hour roadtrip to get the job done.

In the end? So worth it. 

One of the highlights of the trip, and the hike Pattie was looking forward to most was to the South Rim. Here’s a chronicle of that journey. …