This route is only for the EXTREME bushwacker. By bushwacking standards, it is long and arduous and contains heavy shrubbery, steep loose slopes, and many things that will stab and prick you.

The rewards are a visit to one of the least visited canyons in Big Bend. This canyon is the most likely spot in the entire park to spot a mountain lion. The views from the end of the Lost Mine Trail are stunning to say the least. You also won't find anyone in the canyon and you most likely won't see anyone once you leave the end of the Lost Mine Trail.

Approach

See the "Getting There" section on the main page for instuctions on how to get to the Lost Mine Trail.

Route Description

Round Trip Distance: Approximately 9 miles.
Elevation Gain: 1580 ft.
Total Elevation Gain: 2500 ft.
Time: 7 hours.

The start of this route begins at the Lost Mine Trail, one of the prettiest trails in Big Bend. Hike up this well maintained trail 2.4 miles until it dead ends. It dead ends about 1/3 mile past the end of the switchbacks. Total elevation is 1100 ft. and it should take you about an hour to hike it at a modest pace without stopping. There is a highpoint with a couple of large boulders near the end of the trail; however there is a faint trail which descends down a short ways past this high point. Excellent views of Casa Grande and Elephant Butte are available at the end of this trail.

From here the bushwacking begins. Begin your descent down into the gully by making a left turn due east. There is a fairly smooth rocky area that makes for a good descent down avoiding most of the bushwacking. Once into the gully, follow the gully south (right turn) and continue on as it bends due east (bends left) below the hulking Pt. 7010 with its big vertical walls. Although the bushwacking does get a little more difficult as the gully descends down and around to the east, it's not too bad. After about 1 mile of bushwacking through the bottom of this gully, you will come to a screeching halt by a big vertical cliff. The bottom of this cliff marks the conclusion of the Pine Canyon Trail. There is no way to down to meet up with the Pine Canyon Trail. You will have descended down about 700 ft. from the end of the Lost Mine Trail.

Once you are halted by the cliff (stop a little ways before getting to the actual cliff), the tough bushwacking begins. Ascend up to your right about 150 ft. to a saddle. Descend down and then back up again about 150 ft. to another saddle. Do this one more time until the 3rd saddle. You will now have a view of Crown Mountain. There will be a small electronic device down a bit to your left with a faint trail going down off of it. I am guessing this trail goes down to meet up with the Pine Canyon Trail.

From here make your way southeast towards Crown Mountain through some more tough bushwacking. Your goal is to get below the sheer west face of Crown. Once you get there, ascend up along these cliffs in a southward direction until it tops out. To your left will be a keyhole with some huge boulders blocking your way. This is the crux. Ascend up and over the largest boulder (4th class) to the left. Once you are past this crux, circle around to the north (left) past a tree to the east face of Crown. There is a short 4th class dihedral that will put you on the summit. The exposure is minimal but a fall wouldn't be pretty. There should still be a 1 gallon cooler with a summit log in it anchored down with a big rock on the summit. Enjoy the incredible views!

Essential Gear

The difficult and rugged bushwack will require long pants, long sleeves, and a sturdy pair of boots. No rope is needed on the two 4th class cruxes; however, there is some exposure and fall potential. Be careful. You will be a long way from any help.