The Big Bend of Texas is unlike any place on earth. Perhaps "Texas Monthly" described it as succinctly as possible in one of the magazine's many articles on the region.
No wilderness experience in Texas is quite like Big Bend National Park, more than 800,000 acres of mountains, desert, and river so stark and dreamy that it's difficult to distinguish where reality ends and apparition begins. Jagged peaks sheltering pine forests more typical of New Mexico or Colorado, canyons that are steeper, sheerer, and narrower than any found in the Grand Canyon, the vast expanse of Chihuahuan Desert, and the Rio Grande in its robust, untamed glory suggest that Big Bend was transplanted here from somewhere else.
Join Us For Destination Adventure - Big Bend 2019
Being or becoming fit is about much more than doing a workout. It's about feeling good about yourself and knowing that you are physically and mentally strong to take on whatever challenges life might toss in your path. And -- Mary Beth and I both believe that living is more fun when we humans continue to be curious and adventurous. Big Bend is one of those places that fills the senses with new experiences. It is rugged and harsh, but stunningly beautiful. What better place to have a new experience.
The historic, quirky and eerily beautiful ghost town of Terlingua will be our home base. We will stay at the Villa Terlingua, once the largest residential ruin in the ghost town. It is now home to three beautiful and unique houses that offer incomparable views and easy access to Big Bend. We will have all three houses on the property. This will be family style living and sleeping with a central kitchen where we will prepare breakfasts and dinners. Lunches will be on your own, either at the house or at one of the quaint cafes in the ghost town. If privacy is a concern, this may not be the trip for you. The main house is quite large with an expansive porch that has a comfy chair or sofa around every turn -- perfect for an afternoon siesta or a marathon reading session, but you will be sharing sleeping quarters and bathrooms. We will be in great company with Cynta, the beautiful creator/restorer of Villa Terlingua. Meet her and her stunning creation at the Villa Terlingua website.
Sunset from the guest house porch
Details
Itinerary
April 12: Depart Houston You may choose to drive or you can fly to El Paso where you'll need to rent a car and drive to Terlingua. The drive, depending on the route you take, can be between 10-12 hours. Your advance team will arrive the day before to have the house set up for your arrival.
April 13: Hike Prep Day We'll begin the morning with a hearty breakfast on the main house veranda. The remainder of the day is yours to explore the Ghost Town or simply hang around and rest for the hike, prep your gear and your food for the next day. For those who would like to explore outside of Terlingua, Cynta will be available for suggestions. I highly recommend a driving tour of Big Bend National Park. We will gather again for a sunset stretching session on the Main House porch, followed by dinner. We'll make it an early night for an early rise.
Sign Up For Informational Meeting
April 12-16, 2019
Members of the 2017 hike team at the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains.
Trip cost includes lodging, snacks, breakfast each day and three dinners as well as group gear shopping to fit your packs and boots, plus specialized endurance training sessions and preparatory hikes in and around the Houston area to prepare for the hike.
This is a gals only adventure and is limited to eight participants. Our goal for this adventure is to have you experience new situations with confidence, stretch your physical capabilities and take time to consider how you can structure your life and that of your family to live a healthy, vibrant lifestyle that you purposefully design. Mary Beth and I are so excited and feel privileged to lead you on this grand adventure.
Get All the Details
Download the information packet for all the details, including pricing, packing lists and more training details.
Then make sure and sign-up for the initial meeting on August 29 by completing the form to the right. If you have questions, give us a call at the studio.
This trip is open to all clients, even if you've participated in past trips. If you've not been, you must attend the meeting on August 29.
Click on the information packet image to get your detailed report.
Shana Ross Fitness 629 W 22nd St Houston Texas 713-861-7272 shanarossfitness.com
Our 2019 adventure will raise the bar over previous years. This trip will have the team doing two hikes on consecutive days, instead of one day-long hike. Emory Peak is the tallest mountain in Big Bend, topping out at almost 7900 feet above sea level. The way up is via the challenging Pinnacles trail, which is rated Hard. To reach the peak, hikers must do a vertical scramble of about 30 feet. We'll prepare for this at a local rock climbing gym. Total mileage will be around 10 miles. The Lost Mine trail is a half day, 5 mile excursion, and is a much gentler climb than Emory Peak. The payoff is the views from the top. We'll prepare you every step of the way should you take the challenge and join us on this awe-inspiring journey. You'll be challenged, you'll get tired. But you'll do things you've never done before and push boundaries that you may feel are set in stone, only to find the walls crumble. And isn't that what living life to the fullest is all about?
April 14: Hike Day 1! Emory Peak Here We Come We will rise before the sun and be on our way to the trail head inside Big Bend National Park. We will reach the start point by 7 am to begin the ascent. We'll have lunch on the trail, hopefully at the peak, where views on a clear day can extend for 200 miles. Once the descent is completed, we'll head back to Terlingua for a celebratory night out at the Starlight Theatre.
April 15: Hike Day 2! The Lost Mine Trail We will head out again before sun up to make sure we reach the trail head before the parking lot fills up. This is a popular trail and the earlier we can get started, the more peaceful our trek will be. It's common to see many deer on this trail, and because of that, the trail is also known for bear and mountain lion sightings. Plus, we don't want to rush this hike. The views are stunning and provide great photo opportunities.
April 16: Depart Terlingua We'll need to be packed and out by noon. We can caravan back to Houston, or you can depart on your own time. We'll have plenty of wonderful memories to take back with us.
If you've not been on a previous trip, you must attend the informational meeting on Wednesday, August 29, 6:30 pm at the Shana Ross Fitness studio. We will cover all the details and answer any questions you may have. We want to make sure you have all the information you need before you make your final decision to participate.
We hope you'll consider going on this adventure with us. Will it be hard? Yep. Will it be worth it? Oh hell yeah!
Reserve your spot at the meeting by filling out the form to the right.