Texas · National Park trail

Lost Mine Trail Stop #6

in Texas

Agaves, or century plants, grow for many years before reproducing. Some may do so as quickly as 20 years, while other will wait 40 years before deciding it's time. In their final month, they will put all their energy into producing a huge flowering stalk that can grow up to 15 feet tall.

Their yellow flowers attract nectar-feeding bats, hummingbirds, and many types of insects. Birders searching for the Lucifer Hummingbird, found only in west Texas and southeastern AZ, would do well to closely watch the agave. Sadly, the plant dies after blooming.

Similar species of agave are commercially grown in Mexico to make tequila.

States: Texas
Trail type: National Park trail
Centroid coords: 29.2714°, -103.2815°

About Big Bend National Park

National Park

This trail is inside Big Bend National Park, a national park managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Conditions, road status, trail closures, and reservation requirements are published on the park's NPS page — check it before driving in, especially in winter or during major weather events.

Entrance fee: $30 per vehicle (verify current rate on the park page). An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all NPS units.

Official NPS trail page: https://www.nps.gov/places/lost-mine-trail-stop-6.htm

Park homepage: https://www.nps.gov/bibe/index.htm

Plan your hike

Practical notes

Maps + permits: long-distance trails like this often require permits for through-hiking, backcountry camping, or specific sections (especially in National Parks). Check with the maintaining organisation listed above and the relevant land manager before booking travel.

Water + supplies: water sources vary seasonally on most U.S. trails. Carry a filter and consult current trail-condition reports — through-hiker journals (PCT-L, AT Reddit, etc.) and the maintaining organisation publish regular updates.

When to go: hiking seasons vary widely with elevation, latitude, and snowpack. Through-hikers traditionally start the AT in March-April (Springer northbound) and the PCT in late April (Campo northbound). High-elevation western trails (CDT, JMT, Wonderland) generally aren't passable until July.

If you've hiked Lost Mine Trail Stop #6 and have current notes (water sources, trail closures, permit changes), tell us at /contact — we update pages as we learn.