Crown Mountain is a rugged, remote, and beautiful peak located in the Chisos Mountains (the only complete mountain range within a national park in the country) of Big Bend National Park. The U.S.G.S. map names an entire ridge which includes two major peaks Crown Mountain, but it is obvious which one the name is intended for; the peak with the "crownlike" summit. The elevation of this peak isn't even listed on the U.S.G.S map. I used my altimeter to make an estimate of its elevation. The summit register supports my assumption that this is the true Crown Mountain. It also holds the honors as being the easternmost 7,000 ft. summit in the country.

Crown Mountain (right) and Pt. 7010 (left). Photo by (01aCRViper)

This high desert peak has no trails to the summit, so as you would expect in North America's largest desert, the bushwack to the summit is difficult. The approach is steep and loose with numerous plants, cacti, and shrubbery that will wreak havoc on any uncovered body parts. The final summit pitch is a 4th class rock climb making it the most difficult high peak (7,000 ft. plus) in Big Bend National Park by its standard route. Only 7 people have signed the summit register in the last 5 years, so plan on being alone on its summit. The views from the summit include spectacular views of all the 7,000 ft. summits in Big Bend and many of the other high peaks including those across the border in Mexico. For those seeking a challenging peak in a remote location without the crowds, Crown Mountain is a worthy summit goal.

Not mine but a good photo of Crown from Casa Grande.

Another one that is not mine but a great shot from The Boot

Big Bend National Park

Established on June 12, 1944 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Big Bend National Park (also designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1976) is one of the United States largest and least visited parks in the nation. The park has over 800,000 acres and is located in a remote section of Texas where the Rio Grande makes a large bend on its way down to the Gulf of Mexico.

"Big Bend National Park is a land of borders. Situated on the boundary with Mexico along the Rio Grande, it is a place where countries and cultures meet. It is also a place that merges natural environments, from desert to mountains. It is a place where south meets north and east meets west, creating a great diversity of plants and animals. The park covers over 801,000 acres of west Texas. For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande forms the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; Big Bend National Park administers approximately one-quarter of that boundary. Within the 118 twisting miles that also define the park�s southern boundary, the river�s southeasterly flow changes abruptly to the northeast and forms the �big bend� of the Rio Grande." www.big.bend.national-park.com

"Big Bend National Park has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. Few areas exceed the park�s value for the protection and study of geologic and paleontologic resources. Cretaceous and Tertiary fossil organisms exist in variety and abundance. Archeologists have discovered artifacts estimated to be 9,000 years old, and historic buildings and landscapes offer graphic illustration of life along the international border at the turn of the century.

Crown Mountain from Elephant Tusk. Photo by (01aCRViper)

The park exhibits dramatic contrasts; its climate may be characterized as one of extremes. Dry, hot late spring and early summer days often exceed 100 degrees in the lower elevations. Winters are normally mild throughout the park, but sub-freezing temperatures occasionally occur. Because of the range in altitude from approximately 1,800 feet along the river to 7,800 feet in the Chisos Mountains, a wide variation in available moisture and in temperature exists throughout the park. These variations contribute to an exceptional diversity in plant and animal habitats.www.nps.gov

69 miles of the Rio Grande which flows through Big Bend National Park has been designated a Wild and Scenic River. The Rio Grande winds through several canyons containing huge vertical walls on each side. These canyons include Santa Elena Canyon, Mariscal Canyon, and Boquillas Canyon. River rafting is popular when the water is up.

"Some Big Bend plant species are found nowhere else in the world. The Chisos oak grows only in the Chisos Mountains highcountry. A number of other plant species grow in the United States only in the Chisos Mountains but also are found in Mexico and elsewhere. The drooping juniper that looks like it needs a good watering is such as plant.

To see all the bird species that occur in the United States, eventually you must come to the Chisos Mountains to see the Colima Warbler. It nests here after wintering in Mexico. Also occurring here is the mountain lion, locally called a panther. This cat has given its name to the lion's share of park places, including Panther Pass and Panther Junction."www.big.bend.national-park.com

Getting There

Driving information from Major Airports
City	Distance	Yahoo Driving Directions
Midland/Odessa	217 miles	MAF to Big Bend Entrance
El Paso	323 miles	ELP to Destination

Crown Mountain from Pine Canyon. Photo by (01aCRViper)

Excellent downloadable maps of Big Bend National Park in PDF format can be obtained by going to this website.

Lost Mine Trail and Bushwack Route:

This route begins at the Lost Mine Trail, one of the prettiest trails in Big Bend. If you are entering the park on State Highway 385 from the north, drive approximately 26 miles south of the entrance until the road dead ends at Panther Junction. Turn right on Highway 118. Drive about 3 miles and turn left towards Chisos Basin. The Lost Mine Trail will have a small parking lot on the left at about mile 5 just after the road tops out and starts descending towards Chisos Basin.

If you are entering the park on Highway 118 from the west, drive approximately 23 miles from the town of Terlingua/Study Butte. Turn right towards Chisos Basin. The Lost Mine Trail will have a small parking lot on the left at about mile 5 just after the road tops out and starts descending towards Chisos Basin.

Pine Canyon Route (high clearance vehicle required):

Here is a good map to the trailhead.

The Pine Canyon Route begins at the Pine Canyon Trailhead. If you are entering the park on State Highway 385 from the north, drive approximately 26 miles south of the entrance until the road dead ends at Panther Junction. Make a left turn on Highway 118 and drive approximately 5 miles. Make a right turn on Glen Springs Road. Drive 2.3 miles to the intersection of Glen Springs Road and the road up Pine Canyon. Continue straight towards Pine canyon. At mile 4.1 (after turning off of 118) the road will dead end at the Pine Canyon primative camp and trailhead.

If you are entering the park on Highway 118 from the west, drive approximately 31 miles (about 5 miles past Panther Junction) from the town of Terlingua/Study Butte. Make a right turn and drive 2.3 miles down the Glen Springs Road to the intersection of Glen Springs Road and the road up Pine Canyon. Continue straight towards Pine canyon. At mile 4.1 (after turning off of 118) the road will dead end at the Pine Canyon primative camp and trailhead.

Red Tape

Fees:

There is a $15 entrance fee per vehicle that lasts 7 days. See this website for hiking, backpacking, and backcountry rules and regulations.

See the Camping section for camping fees.

When To Climb

Crown Mountain can be climbed year round; however winter is the best time to avoid the desert heat. Snow is possible but very infrequent. Avoid holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and especially Spring Break. Crown Mountain won't be crowded but the rest of the park will be.

Camping and Lodging

Chisos Basin has 63 tent sites that cost $10 per night. 26 of these sites can be reserved from November 15th to April 15th. All remaining sites remain on a first come first serve basis. Campsite reservations may be made through the internet at Reserve USA or by calling 1.877.444.6777.

Backcountry camping is free but requires a permit. Permits can be obtained in person at park visitor centers up to 24 hours in advance.

Lodging is available in The Basin only a mile from the trailhead. Information on lodging in The Basin as well as nearby locations can be found here and here.

See also the Chisos Mountains Lodge homepage.

Contact Information

Big Bend National Park
PO Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834-0129

Email: BIBE_Info@nps.gov
Phone: 432-477-2251
Fax: 432-477-1175
Contact page: http://www.nps.gov/bibe/pphtml/contact.ht

Mountain Conditions

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