Rancherias Loop-Big Bend Ranch State Park

I’m back in Big Bend Ranch State Park to hike the 24-mile Rancherias Loop trail. This loop uses the East Rancherias trail, the Rancherias Spring jeep road and the West Rancherias trail plus a section of hwy 170.
I had planned a three day trip which would require using two fairly reliable springs to provide water. Unfortunately, there was not enough water at the second spring, so being low on water I decided to hike out on day 2.
Every source I looked at has a different mileage for this loop. The park website lists it at 21 miles, and the trailhead sign has 19 miles. Both of those numbers exclude the 3 miles of hwy 170 that must be covered to connect the two trailheads. The mileage I got from planning the route using onX was 24 miles and my actual mileage from start to finish was 26.1.
Every trip report I read said the East Rancherias trial was a tough trial and not to underestimate it. It turned out to be tougher than I expected. I had a GPS track to compare my position to the route and had to use it several times after losing the trail. I would highly recommend one if doing this trail.
Trailhead: West Rancherias Trail on Hwy 170.
Day 1:
Hwy 170
East Rancherias Trail
Day 2:
East Rancherias Trail
Rancherias Spring Road
West Rancherias Trail

[@jimmyolsen3311]

I've done the full loop twice. We went the same direction as you. It's amazing that it looks exactly as i remember. Thanks for making the video. It's makes me want to revisit

[@jackclarke9884]

Thanks for the video. As a fellow west a texas backpacker the locations of your videos are pure gems. Thanks for putting the time in to get this content. I’ve been trying to get out to the bofecillos mountains for awhile now. Also- go Red Raiders!

[@westtexashiker7962]

Thanks for watching. BBRSP is a good winter destination. If you can find time it’s worth a visit.

[@shaycee6494]

beautiful video footage! thank you!

[@westtexashiker7962]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@weightofzero]

Great video thanks for sharing it!

[@joshgraves8302]

There would have been deep pools of water if you would have went a little further down Rancherias Canyon. It’s a really neat area with some pools prob 5 ft deep. Great video!

[@westtexashiker7962]

Thanks for the tip. I thought about walking down the canyon a bit but the spring report at the ranger station said there is only water in the upper pool. So I walked around the upper section and didn’t go downstream. I should have walked around the whole area. Thanks for watching.

[@MichaelStuehrk]

Great video,thanks! I am wondering how much does your pack weight?

[@westtexashiker7962]

About 26 pounds with 4 liters of water.