- Joined
- Oct 16, 2008
- Messages
- 3,806
- Reaction score
- 4,912
- Location
- Bryan, TX
- First Name
- Dennie
- Last Name
- Spears
Our trip planning started with warnings that it would be too hot in Big Bend in September. I say, "If you get a chance to go to Big Bend in September, by all means go." Stay in the Chisos Basin at night so sleep will be easy.
Day 1
Thanks for all the help I received planning this Big Bend trip. Several told me “Where to go.” Advice I took, highway 170, Maverick Road, Ross Maxwell Road, Closed Canyon, Old Ore Road, River Road and Mariscal mine, hike Emory Peak, hike Pinnacles Trail, hike Lost Mine, Black Gap Road, Glenn Springs Road, Boquillos Mexico and Ernst Tinaja. Thanks for other suggestions-maybe next time.
I should have read the last word in this suggested route from TwoSmokeDS. “Emory peak is pretty cool too. The last bit of the hike to the peak is extreme.” A rope is not required, but memorize your route up the rock climb since some routes down end in a “rope required” cliff.
Night time temperatures in the Basin required the use of my sleeping bag.
Early morning arrival just north of Big Bend. We left Bryan at around 8:30PM and drove overnight with a stop for dinner, breakfast and shopping for food at Walmart in Ft. Stockton. Ray brought an actual toilet seat, but forgot the required 5 gallon bucket. We camped across the street from a flush toilet. Notice 3 bikes on the trailer for 2 people. Ray decided his deriere might need a rest from the skinny DRZ seat. My rear has more padding. Why only 2 people when 5 had said they wanted to go. One had taken 4 weeks of vacation in the last 2 months and even though he had more coming, it was suggested he wait a while before taking it. Two read the “It’s going to be HOT,” comments on TWT and they canceled. Two tried the excuse of “Humanrace is getting real old and this might be the last ride he will go on,” and it didn’t work for the 6th time after working the last 5 times. Notice 5 cancellation reasons for 3 people. That’s because some had 2 or more reasons, some not even mentionable on a family forum.
Single sotol along the road to the basin, which I consider the best road in the park. It was worth the 550 mile trip just to ride this road several times a day.
A forest of sotol as well as a sign warning of lion and bear possibilities, also along the basin road.
Hmmmm, if altitude can do this to potato (potatoe) chips, maybe we should check our tire pressure. Sorry for the political stab.
Our camp, newly set up for our return from our first ride, Glenn Springs, Black Gap and East River Road. Notice our cooler not in the bear proof container. We would get 2 warnings from 2 different rangers. The second warning was for Windex.
Along Glenn Springs
Prickly Pear in the foreground and some of the basin wall in the background. I was to learn that many species of pears grow in Big Bend. These had long thorns as well as short fine needles.
Ray questioning my route finding abilities and my sanity for riding this road so soon after rain.
Ocatillo-It can have fresh new leaves a few days after a rain. The leaves are dropped after prolonged dry spells, making the plant look dead. The yellow/green plants in the background are creosote bushes, highly adapted to the desert. One of the few plants without spines.
Why we called this plant Spanish Daggers when I was a child living in southern New Mexico. Actual name is Lechuguilla. Like Agave, they bloom once and then usually die.
Elephant Tusk Trail with the peak in the background.
Nearing the end of Glenn Springs Road and the start of Black Gap. With the exception of a section at the start and some brief sections along the way, Glenn Springs has been relatively mild. It’s about to change and test my riding abilities.
It rained the day before we arrived. Some said it flooded. The evidence of the rain was everywhere along Black Gap and East River Road.
We came across some wet sections and I saw GOLD in them thar mud holes. I dove off the DRZ in a vain attempt to become rich by capturing all the gold laden mud in my mouth, helmet and elbow and knee padding. I did not succeed in getting rich. However, I did succeed in getting muddy, bruised and sore. Why does it always seem to happen to my already injured left side.
One of the buildings next to the parking lot at Mariscal Mine. My knee was too swollen for me to climb up to the good stuff. The mine itself would have to wait until later in the week.
Ray has been framed
First time Ray has been ready to walk and I wasn’t.
Mexico protruding above the desert surface as we approach Rio Grande Village. The village store would become our most frequently visited spot. I recommend their Mango ice cream. The “No Alcoholic Beverages consumed on premises” sign means stay on the outside of the yellow curbing. Fortunately for Ray, the tables were outside the yellow curbing.
Paved road to Rio.
This guy must have been attracted to the gold laden mud inside my helmet because he was seen perched on it on 2 separate occasions.
It was still early when we got back to the basin and my leg had started to feel better. We decided to Ride to the Grapevine Hills and hike to the balanced rock. Ray noticed a solo rider on a brand new 650 Kawasaki and we went over and asked if he wanted to join us. His name was Eric, from Florida, and he had been riding for years, but didn’t know how to tell if his chain needed adjusting. He had stopped at a Harley shop where they charged him the 1 hour minimum charge of $85.00 to adjust his chain when it started to make noises. When I went over to his camp later that afternoon and adjusted his chain, he was amazed at how easy it was. I have a sneaky suspicion that the Versys is his first bike.
One of the reasons you don’t want to end up laying beside the road. This thing has nearly as many pricks sticking out of it as my high school girlfriend had stic….. well, never mind. Don’t crash on one.
Along the grapevine hills trail.
Ray and Eric. Eric may have taken more pictures along this short trail than I did on my 2000+ miles of riding and exploring.
This trail was great after riding the relatively flat desert along the river.
An unusual bush, it may be this green because of the recent rains.
As we approach the end of the trail
What’s left of a desert flower
Ray standing under the prize at the end of the hike. The hike itself wasn’t too shabby either.
Ray needs to remember the old geologist’s saying, “Geology happens NOW.”
We saw 2 herds of Javelinas while going to Balanced Rock. No pics from me.
Day 2 coming up when I get a chance. Work beckons.
Day 1
Thanks for all the help I received planning this Big Bend trip. Several told me “Where to go.” Advice I took, highway 170, Maverick Road, Ross Maxwell Road, Closed Canyon, Old Ore Road, River Road and Mariscal mine, hike Emory Peak, hike Pinnacles Trail, hike Lost Mine, Black Gap Road, Glenn Springs Road, Boquillos Mexico and Ernst Tinaja. Thanks for other suggestions-maybe next time.
I should have read the last word in this suggested route from TwoSmokeDS. “Emory peak is pretty cool too. The last bit of the hike to the peak is extreme.” A rope is not required, but memorize your route up the rock climb since some routes down end in a “rope required” cliff.
Night time temperatures in the Basin required the use of my sleeping bag.
Early morning arrival just north of Big Bend. We left Bryan at around 8:30PM and drove overnight with a stop for dinner, breakfast and shopping for food at Walmart in Ft. Stockton. Ray brought an actual toilet seat, but forgot the required 5 gallon bucket. We camped across the street from a flush toilet. Notice 3 bikes on the trailer for 2 people. Ray decided his deriere might need a rest from the skinny DRZ seat. My rear has more padding. Why only 2 people when 5 had said they wanted to go. One had taken 4 weeks of vacation in the last 2 months and even though he had more coming, it was suggested he wait a while before taking it. Two read the “It’s going to be HOT,” comments on TWT and they canceled. Two tried the excuse of “Humanrace is getting real old and this might be the last ride he will go on,” and it didn’t work for the 6th time after working the last 5 times. Notice 5 cancellation reasons for 3 people. That’s because some had 2 or more reasons, some not even mentionable on a family forum.
Single sotol along the road to the basin, which I consider the best road in the park. It was worth the 550 mile trip just to ride this road several times a day.
A forest of sotol as well as a sign warning of lion and bear possibilities, also along the basin road.
Hmmmm, if altitude can do this to potato (potatoe) chips, maybe we should check our tire pressure. Sorry for the political stab.
Our camp, newly set up for our return from our first ride, Glenn Springs, Black Gap and East River Road. Notice our cooler not in the bear proof container. We would get 2 warnings from 2 different rangers. The second warning was for Windex.
Along Glenn Springs
Prickly Pear in the foreground and some of the basin wall in the background. I was to learn that many species of pears grow in Big Bend. These had long thorns as well as short fine needles.
Ray questioning my route finding abilities and my sanity for riding this road so soon after rain.
Ocatillo-It can have fresh new leaves a few days after a rain. The leaves are dropped after prolonged dry spells, making the plant look dead. The yellow/green plants in the background are creosote bushes, highly adapted to the desert. One of the few plants without spines.
Why we called this plant Spanish Daggers when I was a child living in southern New Mexico. Actual name is Lechuguilla. Like Agave, they bloom once and then usually die.
Elephant Tusk Trail with the peak in the background.
Nearing the end of Glenn Springs Road and the start of Black Gap. With the exception of a section at the start and some brief sections along the way, Glenn Springs has been relatively mild. It’s about to change and test my riding abilities.
It rained the day before we arrived. Some said it flooded. The evidence of the rain was everywhere along Black Gap and East River Road.
We came across some wet sections and I saw GOLD in them thar mud holes. I dove off the DRZ in a vain attempt to become rich by capturing all the gold laden mud in my mouth, helmet and elbow and knee padding. I did not succeed in getting rich. However, I did succeed in getting muddy, bruised and sore. Why does it always seem to happen to my already injured left side.
One of the buildings next to the parking lot at Mariscal Mine. My knee was too swollen for me to climb up to the good stuff. The mine itself would have to wait until later in the week.
Ray has been framed
First time Ray has been ready to walk and I wasn’t.
Mexico protruding above the desert surface as we approach Rio Grande Village. The village store would become our most frequently visited spot. I recommend their Mango ice cream. The “No Alcoholic Beverages consumed on premises” sign means stay on the outside of the yellow curbing. Fortunately for Ray, the tables were outside the yellow curbing.
Paved road to Rio.
This guy must have been attracted to the gold laden mud inside my helmet because he was seen perched on it on 2 separate occasions.
It was still early when we got back to the basin and my leg had started to feel better. We decided to Ride to the Grapevine Hills and hike to the balanced rock. Ray noticed a solo rider on a brand new 650 Kawasaki and we went over and asked if he wanted to join us. His name was Eric, from Florida, and he had been riding for years, but didn’t know how to tell if his chain needed adjusting. He had stopped at a Harley shop where they charged him the 1 hour minimum charge of $85.00 to adjust his chain when it started to make noises. When I went over to his camp later that afternoon and adjusted his chain, he was amazed at how easy it was. I have a sneaky suspicion that the Versys is his first bike.
One of the reasons you don’t want to end up laying beside the road. This thing has nearly as many pricks sticking out of it as my high school girlfriend had stic….. well, never mind. Don’t crash on one.
Along the grapevine hills trail.
Ray and Eric. Eric may have taken more pictures along this short trail than I did on my 2000+ miles of riding and exploring.
This trail was great after riding the relatively flat desert along the river.
An unusual bush, it may be this green because of the recent rains.
As we approach the end of the trail
What’s left of a desert flower
Ray standing under the prize at the end of the hike. The hike itself wasn’t too shabby either.
Ray needs to remember the old geologist’s saying, “Geology happens NOW.”
We saw 2 herds of Javelinas while going to Balanced Rock. No pics from me.
Day 2 coming up when I get a chance. Work beckons.
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