Dorgan Sublett Trail

Dorgan Sublett Trail is a one-mile out-and-back to four remains of Grand Canyon Farms, an early 1900s operation along the Rio Grande. Allow about 30 minutes from the pullout on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. The dirt path crosses grasses, desert scrub and sandy washes, then climbs 56 feet from La Casita to the upper ruins over rock and sand. It’s a good short stop if you want a little Big Bend history without committing to a long hike. Take the hilltop fork to both house sites before turning back; the surviving walls and window-framed vista are the payoff.

The walk begins at a stone farmhouse with an interpretive exhibit about the farm and the families who lived here. The broad dirt path heads east across grasses and desert scrub to a small mesquite grove with a shaded bench, then reaches La Casita, an adobe structure. Beyond it, the path makes its one short, steeper climb to the hilltop. The fork leads right to the Sublett house remains and left to the Dorgan house.

Part of the Dorgan house’s walls and its fireplace still stand. Look through the window openings toward the Chisos Mountains, Emory Peak, Mule Ears and Santa Elena Canyon. The window openings naturally frame the wide landscape and make a strong photo from inside the ruins.

James and Melissa Belle Sublett arrived in Castolon in 1913. After running the Alvino House store, James bought four sections of land in 1918 and called the operation Grand Canyon Farms. He used mule-drawn Fresno scrapers and tools from his railroad earthmoving work to level fields and improve irrigation. The historic area held the former homes of farmer James Sublett and architect Alvert Dorgan, along with smaller buildings for farmworkers and farm work.

Mesquite and tamarisk have since spread across parts of the Rio Grande floodplain they farmed. The park uses mechanical brush removal and prescribed fire to restore part of that historic landscape.

The dirt pullout is about 4.5 miles west of Castolon on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and fits two vehicles. There’s a bench in the mesquite grove and an interpretive exhibit at the first farmhouse. Pets aren’t allowed on park trails. Bring water for the dry walk, and stay on the trail by the especially fragile Sublett house remains.