The Chimneys Trail looking east, Big Bend National Park / NPS - C. Negele

On Thursday, July 21, at 7:45 PM, Big Bend National Park’s Communications Center received notice of a fatality along the Chimneys Trail. Rangers responded, and a deceased 75-year-old male from Houston was located approximately ½ mile from the trailhead. There was no obvious cause of death.

The Chimneys Trail is a moderately-difficult, 5-mile round trip hike to a series of prominent volcanic formations in the western desert of the park.

"Big Bend National Park staff and partners are saddened by this loss," stated Deputy Superintendent David Elkowitz, “and our entire park family extends sincere condolences to the hiker's family and friends."

Summer temperatures in Big Bend are extreme. Temperatures over most of the park reach 100+ degrees by late morning and increase to exceedingly dangerous levels until long after sunset. On Thursday afternoon, the temperatures along the Chimneys Trail exceeded 104 degrees. Park Rangers wish to remind all visitors to be aware of the dangers of extreme heat. Hikers should be prepared to carry and drink one gallon of water per day, and to plan on being off desert trails by noon.