Christmas Mountains Loop
Isolated desert peaks near Big Bend backcountry
The Christmas Mountains rise from the Chihuahuan Desert south of Alpine like ancient stone monuments, accessed by a network of ranch roads that haven’t seen maintenance crews in decades. This loop starts on Highway 118 and follows old ranch tracks through the heart of these limestone peaks, passing abandoned homesteads and crossing numerous washes that can run flash floods after desert storms. The route threads between Christmas Mountain itself and the unnamed peaks to the south, offering views toward the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park.
This is serious backcountry requiring high-clearance 4WD and desert driving experience. Rocky sections can puncture tires, and summer heat makes this route dangerous—stick to fall through spring. Carry extra water, food, and tools for repairs. Cell service is nonexistent, and you might not see another vehicle for hours. Several primitive camping spots exist among the mountains, but this is raw desert country where self-sufficiency isn’t optional. The payoff is total solitude in one of Texas’s last truly wild places.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 45 mi / 72.4 km |
| Duration | 2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5426 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Alpine, Texas |
| Land manager | Private Ranch Land |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Wrangler handle the Christmas Mountains Loop, or do I need a lift?
A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle can complete this trail, but you'll earn it — sharp limestone rock and loose desert terrain will punish low-hanging skid plates and stock all-season tires. A lift and aggressive all-terrains give you real margin. Don't bring a lifted street truck and assume you're good; the surface is unforgiving.
Is the Christmas Mountains Loop accessible in summer?
Technically passable, but summer in the Big Bend region means 100°F+ temps, flash flood risk in the washes, and zero shade on exposed limestone. November through March is the window — cooler temps, lower flash flood risk, and the trail actually rewards you instead of punishing you.
Do I need a permit to run the Christmas Mountains Loop?
This trail crosses private ranch land, so access is not guaranteed and trespassing is a real issue out here. Contact the landowner or a local outfitter in Alpine before you go — access arrangements can change seasonally and without notice. There's no fee structure like a state or federal permit, just private land rules.
What's the hardest section of this trail and what should I actually be ready for?
The loose limestone rock sections through the mountain passes are where rigs get hurt — sidewall cuts, broken beadlocks, and undercarriage hits are common. Pick your line slow, keep tire pressure aired down (18-22 PSI is a solid starting point), and don't rush the exposed ridge sections where the trail narrows and shelf roads appear.
How far is the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is water available on trail?
Alpine is your last real fuel stop, roughly 60+ miles out — fill completely before you leave town and carry extra fuel for 45 miles of low-gear desert running. There are water crossings on trail but treat everything; no potable water sources exist out here, so pack in all drinking water for a 2-day run minimum.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.