Ixta
0
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2007
- Messages
- 251
- Reaction score
- 1
- Location
- Sn. Antonio
- First Name
- Joel
- Last Name
- King
Trip Sep 19-22 to see the Rio Grande flowing at 33k cu'/sec. I just could not pass up the opportunity to see this, so a friend and I packed up a WR250R and XT-225 and headed west.
Lots of photos will follow this post
First the sad news:
The small Mexican village across from Lajitas appeared to have about 4' of swift water running through it. Santa Elena appeared to be in similar condition. For the most part, Boquillas, was untouched except for a few structures near the river. There was major flooding across from La Linda, but I don't think anyone has lived there for many years.
Big Bend has taken quite a hit from the floods. It will be some time before it recovers. The Rio Grande campground is under water and the water was within 5 feet of the store. The visitors center remained dry. A ranger told us that the roads and sewage infrastructure had been severly damaged and it would be awhile before RGV would be open again. In addition, park service employees have been displaced from RGV housing due to imminent flooding.
River roads east and west were closed. Maverick is in OK condition. However, Ross Maxwell was underwater in both directions past the intersection with Maverick. The only mid-park access to the river was via Glenn Springs and Black Gap roads. Lower Glenn Springs road was in as bad of shape as Black Gap normally is due to the recent rains. River Road east was flooded at La Clocha and River Road west was closed between Tally intersection and the pavement. River road between Solis and the Glenn Springs is in very poor condition due to the recent rains and isn't passable unless by extreme 4WD (possibly requiring winching) or an appropriate dirt bike.
The road to Santa Elena canyon past the overlook has pavement damage (apparently from high flow out of Terlingua Creek).
Now, the good news:
We had a blast! We experienced great weather, the park was practically vacant, we had three days of safe riding, and once in a lifetime views of the Rio Grande.
Here's a sample photo of a camp visitor (Coachwhip) to make sure I have Photobucket configured properly:
Lots of photos will follow this post
First the sad news:
The small Mexican village across from Lajitas appeared to have about 4' of swift water running through it. Santa Elena appeared to be in similar condition. For the most part, Boquillas, was untouched except for a few structures near the river. There was major flooding across from La Linda, but I don't think anyone has lived there for many years.
Big Bend has taken quite a hit from the floods. It will be some time before it recovers. The Rio Grande campground is under water and the water was within 5 feet of the store. The visitors center remained dry. A ranger told us that the roads and sewage infrastructure had been severly damaged and it would be awhile before RGV would be open again. In addition, park service employees have been displaced from RGV housing due to imminent flooding.
River roads east and west were closed. Maverick is in OK condition. However, Ross Maxwell was underwater in both directions past the intersection with Maverick. The only mid-park access to the river was via Glenn Springs and Black Gap roads. Lower Glenn Springs road was in as bad of shape as Black Gap normally is due to the recent rains. River Road east was flooded at La Clocha and River Road west was closed between Tally intersection and the pavement. River road between Solis and the Glenn Springs is in very poor condition due to the recent rains and isn't passable unless by extreme 4WD (possibly requiring winching) or an appropriate dirt bike.
The road to Santa Elena canyon past the overlook has pavement damage (apparently from high flow out of Terlingua Creek).
Now, the good news:
We had a blast! We experienced great weather, the park was practically vacant, we had three days of safe riding, and once in a lifetime views of the Rio Grande.
Here's a sample photo of a camp visitor (Coachwhip) to make sure I have Photobucket configured properly:
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