Emory Peak and Toll Mountain in Big Bend National Park, TX

Hike Emory Peak and Toll Mountain Big Bend National Park, TX

Class 3 11.2 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Out + Back Feb 25, 2022
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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Almost 8 years since my first visit to Big Bend National Park, I finally got a chance to return, this time with peaks being the objective rather than sightseeing. I started the trip off with Emory Peak, the high point of the Chisos Mountains and of the National Park. I figured it couldn't hurt to have a nice trail hike to start the trip and to scope the surrounding peaks from high up.

I parked at the large lot near the Chisos Lodge and took the Pinnacles Trail as it led through forest and occasional meadows. Casa Grande Peak came into view, and as I got higher up so did others. I was getting quite excited for the area. The trail is really well-marked and an incredibly low angle, really taking its time to meander and switchback up to the saddle separating Emory Peak from Toll Mountain. Before reaching this saddle the trail entered a more interesting section of pinnacles, which framed the views back down into Chisos Basin.

From the saddle I continued on the Emory Peak Trail as it took its sweet time to make it to the base of the summit. The last few hundred feet of the trail had some light Class 2, and the summit block had some Class 2+/3 that may cause some parties to need some coaxing. The rock quality is excellent and the scrambling fun, though short-lived. And of course the views from Emory Peak are delightful. I could see pretty much all my peak objectives for the trip. I didn't linger long, the crowded summit area not exactly my favorite atmosphere.

Back at the saddle with Toll Mountain, I took the short and official trail to the Toll Mountain Campsite and then continued off-trail along the burned ridgeline and up to the summit of Toll Mountain. It's steeper and definitely more work than the highway that was the approach trail, but the terrain is not rugged and there weren't any sections of scrambling. The summit of Toll Mountain had some nice views toward Crown Mountain to the northeast, Emory Peak, and down into Chisos Basin.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Emory Peak
7825 ft
4485 rise
2
Toll Mountain
7415 ft
420 rise

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Starting along the Pinnacles Trail.
Starting along the Pinnacles Trail.
Toll Mountain visible ahead. The signage is excellent.
Toll Mountain visible ahead. The signage is excellent.
Making my way along the Pinnacles Trail as it slowly ascends.
Making my way along the Pinnacles Trail as it slowly ascends.
Casa Grande Peak visible above.
Casa Grande Peak visible above.
A pretty meadow. There were a couple like this.
A pretty meadow. There were a couple like this.
Tedious switchbacks.
Tedious switchbacks.
Higher up as I start entering more interesting terrain.
Higher up as I start entering more interesting terrain.
View back toward Casa Grande Peak.
View back toward Casa Grande Peak.
Vernon Bailey Peak visible on the right.
Vernon Bailey Peak visible on the right.
Higher up as I ascend into the pinnacles.
Higher up as I ascend into the pinnacles.
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Switchbacks up around pinnacles surrounding Toll Mountain.
Switchbacks up around pinnacles surrounding Toll Mountain.
At the saddle separating Toll Mountain from Emory Peak, a popular trail junction. Emory Peak is visible ahead.
At the saddle separating Toll Mountain from Emory Peak, a popular trail junction. Emory Peak is visible ahead.
Along the Emory Peak Trail.
Along the Emory Peak Trail.
Emory Peak visible ahead.
Emory Peak visible ahead.
View back, Toll Mountain visible center. Crown Mountain poking out in the distance.
View back, Toll Mountain visible center. Crown Mountain poking out in the distance.
Close-up toward Toll Mountain, which I'll get to after Emory Peak.
Close-up toward Toll Mountain, which I'll get to after Emory Peak.
Emory Peak ahead on the left.
Emory Peak ahead on the left.
Close-up back along the trail.
Close-up back along the trail.
Approaching Emory Peak.
Approaching Emory Peak.
Class 2 before reaching the base of Emory Peak's summit block.
Class 2 before reaching the base of Emory Peak's summit block.
At the base of Emory Peak. Class 3 straight ahead, or Class 2 near the tree on the right.
At the base of Emory Peak. Class 3 straight ahead, or Class 2 near the tree on the right.
Class 2/3 scramble up to Emory Peak.
Class 2/3 scramble up to Emory Peak.
Close-up back down the scramble.
Close-up back down the scramble.
Emory Peak summit, view northeast from the top of the scramble.
Emory Peak summit, view northeast from the top of the scramble.
Emory Peak summit, close-up toward Toll Mountain (center) and Lost Mine Peak (top center), Casa Grande Peak (left), and Crown Mountain (right).
Emory Peak summit, close-up toward Toll Mountain (center) and Lost Mine Peak (top center), Casa Grande Peak (left), and Crown Mountain (right).
Emory Peak summit, view west.
Emory Peak summit, view west.
Emory Peak summit, wide shot looking north. Vernon Bailey far left, Casa Grande right of center, and Lost Mine Peak top right.
Emory Peak summit, wide shot looking north. Vernon Bailey far left, Casa Grande right of center, and Lost Mine Peak top right.
Emory Peak summit, view north toward Vernon Bailey Peak (left) and the Chisos Basin. You can see the lodge down there.
Emory Peak summit, view north toward Vernon Bailey Peak (left) and the Chisos Basin. You can see the lodge down there.
Emory Peak summit, view south toward the South Rim.
Emory Peak summit, view south toward the South Rim.
Close-up toward Picacho Peak (left of center). I'll be getting that guy tomorrow. ;)
Close-up toward Picacho Peak (left of center). I'll be getting that guy tomorrow. ;)
Onward to Toll Mountain, seen ahead.
Onward to Toll Mountain, seen ahead.
A short spur trail leading to the Toll Mountain Campsite. I passed a tent inhabiting the campsite and continued off-trail.
A short spur trail leading to the Toll Mountain Campsite. I passed a tent inhabiting the campsite and continued off-trail.
Steep, but not unpleasant terrain leading up Toll Mountain.
Steep, but not unpleasant terrain leading up Toll Mountain.
View back toward Emory Peak.
View back toward Emory Peak.
Along the ridgeline leading to Toll Mountain.
Along the ridgeline leading to Toll Mountain.
Toll Mountain summit, view down into Chisos Basin.
Toll Mountain summit, view down into Chisos Basin.
Toll Mountain summit, view toward Lost Mine Peak (left) and Crown Mountain (right).
Toll Mountain summit, view toward Lost Mine Peak (left) and Crown Mountain (right).

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!