Cattail Canyon

This is the most remote, unknown, and technically difficult part of Big Bend National Park. The canyon drops 2,500 feet in few miles, with a number of significant pour-offs, often with cold, wet rock and freezing pools to swim through. It could easily be called the most rugged canyon in Texas. Caution The risks with this canyon are significant, reserving descents for those who are experienced, well prepared and have an appropriate level of fitness. This canyon is long and committing in unforgiving terrain. The NPS actively discourages canyoners from attempting this canyon, for good reason. While multiple escape routes out of Cattail Canyon exist, they lead to rugged and remote areas without trails or water and rough, broken and undulating terrain that significantly slows travel. If there is any question about the team’s experience or skills, consider building canyoneering skills in other canyons before attempting this objective. Start the hike from the middle of the basin early (4am or sooner) to allow the most in-canyon daylight.

Set a car shuttle at (29.27866, -103.36433), a short distance up Oak Spring Rd across from the Sam Nail Ranch along Ross Maxwell Scenic Dr. YMMV It would be advantageous to set the shuttle vehicle the night before, perhaps with a note on the dashboard. Drive 20 miles around the North to the drive into the Chisos Basin. Park near (29.26839, -103.30216) at the Laguna Meadows Trailhead or at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center. Hike south on the Laguna Meadow trail up to the basin rim, turning west and heading for Laguna West Campsite No. 3. Continue West into the Cattail Main Fork drainage. It's a total of about 5 miles to the old stock dam.

Lance Snead wrote "We built a rock-pile anchor for 125' rappel, did a body belay rappel, swam through freezing pools of water, and rappelled the highest pouroff/waterfall in Texas called Bryan's Falls which is a whopping 425 feet high! It was an incredible experience in a truly magnificent place. I am thankful and humbled to be able to take part in it. Hats off to my partners John Fraser and Mike Quinones, two Austin Firefighters. Their experience and resourcefulness made the trip a success, I was just simply along for the ride, and a ride it was. Thanks guys!" Approach from Chisos Lodge Area to R1 = 6 miles total via the Laguna Meadows trail to Laguna WEST Campsite No. 3. From this campsite it’s approximately 1 mile to the old stock dam (dry in February 2025) and approximately 1-mile down canyon from the stock dam to R1. DC – 40-ft. At the bottom of R1 is a 40-ft slab downclimb that some will choose to rappel from a nearby tree. Followed by another slab DC. R3 and R4 are back-to-back. CAUTION – There is unavoidable poison ivy/oak at the bottom of R5 and R6. It’s thick and everywhere. A long unremarkable section follows R6. The canyon between R6 and R7 transitions from narrow to open with large boulders, breakdown and annoying trees, shrubs, and pointy prickly things. The canyon narrows again near R7 and becomes more scenic. R8 and R9 are back-to-back.