Big Bend - Grapevine Hills

Trail
2.20 Miles
N/A
$20.00
4stars (4.00)7
2stars (2.29)
3point5stars (3.71)
No
No
No
N/A
Brewster
More Info
Photos
The Other Side Of The Ridge
There are a lot of huge boulders and rock formations on the other side of the ridge, too. (Photo by Blaze)
Balanced Rock Sign
This sign said Balanced Rock was 1/4 mile away, but I never found it... :( (Photo by Blaze)
Ridge
You can hike up and over this rocky ridge. The vistas are spectacular! (Photo by Blaze)
View From The Ridge
This is the view from the rocky ridge. You can see the trail in the valley below. (Photo by Blaze)
Trail Map
This display map at the trailhead shows the route the trail takes. (Photo by Blaze)
Log Entries
balanced rock was awesome
By jimmy peace on 5/20/2015
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: N/A
Beautiful Rock Formations
By Blaze on 3/6/2008
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: 1 hour

Note:  You must have a vehicle with high clearance, preferably four-wheel drive, in order to get to this trail.

The trail is short, but nice.  There are beautiful rock formations on both sides of the trail.  The trail leads back into a canyon, then points the way up and over the rocky hill to Balanced Rock.  Sadly, I never found Balanced Rock...

On the backslide of this hill, the trail is not well-marked and seems to just dissolve.  I'm not sure why since all of the previous part of the trail is well-marked by cairns.

This is a short, but sweet hike.  If you can get to the trail, I recommend it.

Wonderful dayhike with very interesting geology
By riverrat on 12/29/2007
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Very nice, easy hike with a bit of scrambling just before famous balanced rock. Watch for deposits of quartz streaking through the rocks. Explore all around the balcanced rock for some interesting erosion. Not much shade so bring plenty of water in the summer. We hked it in late December and the weather was perfect. Of course that is always subject to change!

By adipaulie on 4/29/2006
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: N/A
Beautiful scenery and photo opportunities!
By a0628h0427 on 2/22/2005
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute

I hiked this with my sister on a cloudy February day. We skirted around to the east side of the balanced rock formation, and the clouds broke, giving me the opportunity to take a very beautiful photo with a dramatic cloudy sky.

Great for the rock formations
By azurechaos on 12/11/2004
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: N/A
The standing rock formations of this trail are what it's all about, and at the end is the signature gigantic hanging rock.
One of my favorites
By Joefirefighter on 9/19/1995
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

This is one of my favorite hikes in my favorite national park.  The standing granite stones were formed when magma was forced up into cracks in higher rock levels, cooled forming these stones and then the surrounding rock eroded away, leaving these standing stones. 

Walking through this valley you can understand why the Commanche creation story said that when the Great Spirit finished making the earth he placed all of his left over stones in the Big Bend region. 

The balanced rock is, of course, a major photo opportunity.

Despite all the warnings about needing four-wheeled drive or a high clearance vehicle to get here, I once accessed the trailhead in a miata.  Just make sure you drive slowly, very slowly. 

Recommended Item
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For more than twenty-five years, FalconGuide® has set the standard for outdoor recreation guidebooks. Written by top outdoors experts and enthusiasts, each guide invites you to experience the endless adventure and rugged beauty of the great outdoors. Hiking Big Bend National Park features forty-seven of the finest trails in Texas-from short day hikes to backcountry treks. With this comprehensive guide, veteran hiker Laurence Parent provides all the information you need to get the most out of hiking this natural wonderland.