Mesa de Anguila Backpacking | Big Bend Desert Virtual Hike
A hot, exposed backpacking route across Mesa de Anguila in Big Bend National Park.
This video follows a remote backpacking hike from Lajitas to Mesa de Anguila, beginning with a long desert crossing before a steep climb onto the mesa. Once on top, the terrain opens into wide, sun-baked expanses with sweeping views across the Rio Grande corridor and into Mexico. The route continues across the mesa in dry December heat before looping around Mesa de Anguila’s rugged rim.
Mesa de Anguila is one of the most isolated areas of Big Bend National Park. Known for extreme exposure, minimal shade, and limited water, it offers a true desert backpacking experience far from the more traveled Chisos Mountains. Even in December, temperatures on the mesa can feel hot and unforgiving, making route planning and water management essential.
This video is ideal for:
Hikers and backpackers exploring Big Bend’s remote zones
Virtual hikes and treadmill workouts
Walking and running motivation with desert scenery
Viewers interested in rugged, off-the-beaten-path routes
If you’re drawn to quiet desert landscapes, long horizon views, and challenging terrain, this Mesa de Anguila backpacking hike offers an authentic look at one of Big Bend’s most demanding and rarely visited areas.