Cinco Tinajas

— Another visit to Big Bend Ranch State Park is overdue. The park is adjacent to Big Bend National Park and offers views that stay with you forever. It is truly appropriately called “the other side of nowhere.” On this 2012 trip, we experienced a cattle auction (real Longhorns!) and also had time for great hikes and bike rides. This short, easy, and lightly traveled Cinco Tinajas trail is only a 1.3-mile (2-km) loop. Along the trail you will have the opportunity to see the pools from the top of the trail as well as being able to get down up and close. The name comes from the five pools (cinco tinajas) a hiker will encounter along the trail. Although very cold, I actually had to wade and sit in this inviting pool.