Big Bend trip

[rsc]

I've had this trip in the back of my mind for a while now, on the spur of the moment today I decided to take advantage of the long weekend and head down to Big Bend National and State Park(s) for some exploring and wheeling. Printed out a few maps and guides at work today and will load up the Hummer in the morning and head out. Anyone interested in meeting up, I'll be pulling in to the park about midday Friday and leaving Monday. There are something like 150 miles of offroad "roads" and recent rain earlier in the month so it should be fun!

 

[High Five H2]

I went to big bend a few weeks ago but I didn't get to check out the trails in the state park. I went on some rough dirt roads in the national park and that was it. It's a cool, weird park though. Check out terlingua for sure. it's a weird little city.

 

[rsc]

Last time I went with some Army buddies on motorcycles, heading out west along the river was a blast at speed. Looking to slow down and explore the backcountry this time. While pulling up maps and info yesterday I saw that the Tx Toyota guys head out there a lot. I missed out on last minths trip and next months trip too.

 

[Gunner_45]

Damn, I am envious.

I've wanted to go to Big Bend for a long time now and have never gotten the time or the chance to go.

The area is supposed to be rich in trails and natural beauty.

Please do a trip report for us.

Stay vigilant, you never know what sort of evil **** will come across the border.

 

[High Five H2]

next to the hot springs, there's a spot where Mexicans come across the border and leave stuff to sell. You're supposed to leave money and take little trinkets that they make. The Rio Grande is shallow enough to walk across and not very wide at that spot. When I was there a month ago, it was really low,too. I know there are coyotes that smuggle people across around there and I can only imagine cartels are around too. I was wish my ex at that spot when it got dark and I realized that we were probably not very safe so we had to sneak back really quietly. I'd go with you too because I missed out on the real trails on the state park side but I'm on call at work this weekend.

 

[rsc]

First time I went, we crossed into mexico. I suppose near where they sell the trinkets. We ate tacos and drank Coronas and walked back to Texas, crossing the 20' of waist deep water in a canoe the local Mexicans had. Talking with agents later in the week, one casually mentioned to be careful of taking the canoe to Mexico and not using the official border checkpoints as it was a big fine if caught. We shook our heads in agreement about being law fearing folks and seore we would never, ever do anything like that. i hear there is a new checkpoint in the park now...

 

[High Five H2]

yeah, they told me it was a felony to cross over without a check point! don't worry your secret is safe.

 

[SickStringC]

This has been on my list a while as well. I'm up for it with more notice to plan a little next time.


Sent from my mind via telepathy.

 

[High Five H2]

we ought to plan a group trip, that would be awesome. it's a pretty isolated area so buddies would be good. I know a few people here that would go too.

 

[rsc]

That sounds like a good idea, I always try to go somewhere once to scope things out first before organizing a trip. I was surprised to find a few others who had been before though. I'm down for a trip down there anytime after Christmas, I need to get my vacation balance back up again with the new year. A 4 or 5 day weekend would be perfect to head down there for. Of course I need the extra time to make the 12 hr trip worth it.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

First time I went, we crossed into mexico. I suppose near where they sell the trinkets. We ate tacos and drank Coronas and walked back to Texas, crossing the 20' of waist deep water in a canoe the local Mexicans had. Talking with agents later in the week, one casually mentioned to be careful of taking the canoe to Mexico and not using the official border checkpoints as it was a big fine if caught. We shook our heads in agreement about being law fearing folks and seore we would never, ever do anything like that. i hear there is a new checkpoint in the park now...

nobody reads the internet - so you're safe

 

[High Five H2]

Awesome!!! I'm excited. so is this the planning thread?

 

[Gunner_45]

I would suggest that whoever is spearheading a new trip, post a new planning thread in the appropriate regional forum.

Let RSC finish this thread out with a trip report perhaps.

You can put me down as a tentative yes (depending on timing and work schedule for me).

 

[prc]

BBNP is a great place to find some peace and solitude. Nothing too difficult or technical, but very enjoyable.

Pinto Canyon, west of the park and half way between Presidio and Candelaria, is also not difficult, but its a photographers paradise!

Was going to be out there Dec. 5 thru 8 but last week work informed me otherwise

 

[rsc]

Just got back in cell coverage, been off the grid with NO coverage for the weekend. PRC is correct- no hard, technical trails in BBNP and it is abolutely beautiful out that way. We made it out to Terlingua and the State Park but after finding out that the Ranger Station was a 3 hr loop around the park and there was only one way in or out, we didn't have the time to drive 3 hrs back through BBSP and another 1 1/2 hrs through BBNP to start the 12 hr drive back to Tulsa. We did stop for a photo op before lunch at the ghost town in Terlingua and more sightseeing. I'll post up more tonight.

 

[rsc]

I'll post up the trip report and trail pictures in the Stories From the Trail section tonight. Here's a couple pictures until then. If I'm lucky I may have some trail video stored on the dashcam too.


From one of the unpaved backcountry trails leading to Black Gap.

In the state park parking lot.

 

[bendyprissy]

I'm in if we plan a new trip & the dates work out with work.

 

[rsc]

So who's going to head up the next trip then? I need get my transmission fixed and I blew the money for that on this vacation. I have been thinking of going back out there around mid to late March. Unless work picks up or I put the transmission on the back burner and take the wife's H3 again. :shame: I think the best trip would be to go to the State Park and base out of there for a couple of three days with a day trip over to BBNP on one of them. :thumbs:

 

[Best4x4]

I'd love to go if I could find the extra $$$ and time (Birthday is March 29th hehe). I know my daughter can handle a trip to Disney in the H3 just fine so BBNP shouldn't be a problem.

I had a friend destroy his clutch out at BBSP and it took him 3 days to get his rig out of there, and 2 weeks to have it fixed in Alpine lol.

 

[High Five H2]

it's funny that there's a town in west texas called alpine.

I'm going back to school in january and I need to get new tires and a few other things with my tax return so I'm thinking about doing a trip over a weekend near spring break. that's march-ish, but if anyone else wants to go around then then that would be awesome. I'd rather go when it's cooler but i'll have money later.

 

[rsc]

I won't go after Memorial Day, its already hitting 100 by then. Spring break time sounds like more folks would be free around then. Make it a birthday party

 

[High Five H2]

yeah, no kidding. I hate the heat. now would be a perfect time to go. This has been the mildest winter ever

 

[Best4x4]

Yeah now or April is the latest you wanna go to Big Bend. Any other time and you'll cook. Once we went there in September and it was 93F. All we'd packed was t-shirts and shorts. Well we got a wild storm/cold front and it went from 93F to 19F with 2ft of snow!!!!!!! We were trapped in up there for 2 days, and we had to have our gas stove on as a heater in the popup camper. It was completely nuts lol!!! I really really love that place.

 

[High Five H2]

yeah, big bend is a weird place. I can't really explain it but it's so put of place in West Texas. I want to go again. Plus Terlingua and Marfa. Yeah, we need to do a group trip.

 

[bendyprissy]

I have to put in my schedule at work far in advance and my March is not in yet, but will be soon. Hubby's spring break is March 9-15. Anyone want to go then?