Big Bend National Park

Trip legs (latest at top):

13 Mar 05 - Crossing the Pecos River, Texas
All in all Dawn and I didn't really find east Texas all that attractive. It rather looks like the plains of the Midwest, but with cactus and an incredible amount of trash along its highways. Of course, we are visiting in winter, and just speeding through on interstates, so I'm sure sure there are lots of nice outdoor spots to visit that we missed. But on the whole, we are unimpressed.

My brother-in-law Mac tells us that we will see a whole 'nother Texas once we cross the Pecos heading west. He's right. I always thought that "west of the Pecos" was just a saying. But we find out for ourselves that this is where the American West truly begins.

Pecos River
We are surprised by how big this river is.
West of the Pecos
Shortly after crossing the Pecos, the scenery changes dramatically. Finally, we are in the American West.
Wester of the Pecos
We've always heard about the wide flat spaces "out west" with nothing in them. Here we find wide flat spaces with beautiful rock formations in the them.

When we set out from San Antonio, we didn't realize that all elementary and high schools in Texas take spring break on the same week. This week (it's now Sunday). Big Bend National Park camping is full, so we divert to Stillwell for our first camping in the desert. The lady running the private campground there, in answer to our question about bathrooms out in the tent area, advises us to choose between "a pink bush or a blue bush."

Stillwell Campsite
We finally made it to the desert. Here is our campsite at Stillwell. A whole lotta nuthin'.

14 Mar 05 - Lost Mine Trail, Big Bend National Park, Texas
We start the day at the Panther Junction Visitor Center in Big Bend National Park. We get our usual questions answered about best day hikes, and head directly for the Lost Mine Trail. It is so named because it heads to Lost Mine Peak, where legend says Spanish explorers enslaved the local people to mine silver, though no evidence and no silver exist.

Big Bend Entrance
I just have a fascination with the entrance signs to the national parks. It's hard to recall a state park with entrance signs as handsome.
Long-Leaved Phlox
This is the best I can identify this plant. It doesn't match my Audubon guide exactly, but it's darn close. If the ID is not exact, I am almost certain it is some member of the phlox phamily.
Rock Outcropping
Notice the hawk? Sometimes if you wait long enough the wildlife will cooperate with your photo composition. I discovered this taking the sunrise pictures at Hither Hills State Park on Long Island. I think this photo might make a nice greeting card also.
Claret-Cup Cactus
Again, this is a difficult identification for me as I am new to cactus. Possible alternative ID is the strawberry pitaya cactus. The claret-cup is said to have red blooms, the strawberry pitaya has fuchsia blooms. This cactus hasn't bloomed yet, but the buds look red to me.
Elephant Tusk Peak
In the center? Well, maybe it's Mule Ears Peaks there in the center, and Elephant Tusk is on the far left. On the far right is the Northeast Rim of the mountains surrounding Chisos Basin
Lost Mine Peak
I brought up the color a bit in this photograph to highlight the colors in the cliff.
Chisos Basin
Descending Lost Mine Trail westward, looking into the Chisos Basin from the east along Green Gulch. The basin is surrounded by a rim of mountains, and in the interior is one of the three park visitor centers, Chisos Mountains Lodge, camp store, and Chisos Basin Campground.
Blue Agave
Having never seen these before in the wild, I was surprised at how beautiful they are. Definitely one of my favorites.
Sotol Cactus
Native Americans also distill an alcoholic beverage from this cactus, like the tequila from the blue agave.
Silvery Lupine
This grows in patches along the roadside in large beds. We originally thought it was non-native, but we found it in our field guide.

15 Mar 05 - Climbing Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park, Texas
We start today's hike by driving from Stillwell into the heart of the park, Chisos Basin. Here we find the primary trailhead for the Chisos Mountain trails. Our destination today is the highest peak in Big Bend NP, Emory Peak at 7825 feet. It will be a round trip of 9 miles, with an elevation gain of 2400 feet.

Mexican Jay
Yesterday on the hike down Lost Mine Trail, some birdwatchers were excited to find these jays. Now we enter a flock of a half-dozen about 45 minutes up the trail. By standing still, the flock pretty much ignores us and feeds in the trees and on the ground all around us. My hardest problem in getting a good photograph is waiting for a subject to land in a patch of sunshine.
Casa Grande
This stunning formation is clearly visible from the Chisos Basin and most of the trails leading away from the basin into the mountain that rim the basin.
Princess Agave
Everyone should travel with their own princess! Here we are just leaving the trail which leads to Juniper Canyon or the South Rim, and taking the spur which leads to Emory Peak.
Bear Country
At the spur they have a sturdy, bear-proof metal box for those who don't want to schlep their packs to the peak.
Stephen on Emory Peak
Just in the time for a brief shower. Not sure if the two fiberglass poles up here are antennas or lightning attractors.
Curious Deer Mouse
During our snack break just down from the peak, we are treated to a show.
Chihuahuan Desert
Looking west into Mexico.
Mule Deer
I think I had a chance for some really nice shots, but just after Dawn spotted these deer, some really noisy people came yakking up the trail. I suppose you literally have to get off the beaten trail to get good wildlife photographs.
Casa Grande Redux
With fading camera battery power, little memory space remaining, and a hiking partner ready to be done with this long day, I wait for a break in the late afternoon clouds to light up Casa Grande.