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Big Bend - Ore Terminal Trail

Name: Big Bend - Ore Terminal Trail
Rating: 1.00

Type: Trail

Length: 4.00 Miles

Elevation Gain: N/A

Cost: $20.00

Rating:

(1.00)1

Difficulty: 2stars

(2.00)

Solitude:

(2.50)

ADA Accessible: No

Bikes Allowed: Yes

Dogs Allowed: No

Interpretive Guide: No

City: ALPINE

County: Brewster

More Information: More Info

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Map

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Photos

The trail follows the steel cable used to transport ore on the aerial tramway for much of the way. Here the thick cable crosses over the trail. (Photo by Blaze)

The trail goes up and over several hills. (Photo by Blaze)

Several of these abandoned aerial transport towers are still intact. (Photo by Blaze)

Several of these old transport buckets can be found rusting along the trail. (Photo by Blaze)

This is the fork of the Ore Terminal and Marufo Vega Loop Trails. (Photo by Blaze)

Log Entries

Part Of A Longer 4-Day Backcountry Hike
By Blaze on 11/16/2013
Rating: 1star

Difficulty: 2stars

Solitude:

Distance: N/A Duration: N/A

I hiked the Ore Terminal Trail as part of a 4 day backpacking expedition through the backcountry trails of Big Bend National Park. The hike occurred on the 1st day on my way into the backcountry. You can read my log of that extended hike here.

The Ore Terminal Trail is interesting because it follows the ruins of the aerial tramway that used to haul ore from Boquillas to the transport terminal. When the operation shut down in the early 1900s, they simply walked away and left the cables, towers and buckets. The dry desert environment has preserved these artifacts in good condition.

The trail is easy to follow. It branches off from the Marufo Vega Loop Trail and there is a sign at the trailhead that points the way and rock cairns mark the path. The trail goes up and down several hills, so you get a good workout.