THE END: March 2011

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Big Bend Day 2 - Hike 2 - Santa Elena Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon Trail - 1.7 miles

This trail is often impassable due to flooding during the summer rainy season. No problem today - there's been no rain since November. It is one of the prettiest short hikes in the park.

Can you see the trail ahead?

The trail climbs some concrete steps.

Then slopes down gradually down to the river's edge inside the Canyon

It continues farther into the Canyon winding among larger boulders. Looks like shade ahead!

Glad we kept going - what a great spot

Time for a nap! After all we will have hiked a total of 8.5 miles today!

It ends abruptly where the Canyon wall meets the river. This is one of the narrowest places in the 7 mile long Canyon. Wish we had a Kayak!

Oops - the shoreline looks a little mucky! She was trying to save her shoes but lost them in the end.

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n

More Later,
Melissa and Gary

Big Bend Day 2 - Hike 1 - Hot Springs Trail

Day 2 at Big Bend and we are psyched for a hike! Decide to do the Hot Springs Trail which starts just outside the Campground by the Old Daniel Ranch. It is 6 miles round trip.

Good thing we brought lots of water for the hike. Looks like this guy is hoping otherwise!

The trail is mostly rocky and open dessert. Glad we started the hike by 9 a.m.

Beatiful views

You can see the Rio Grande from several spots

The mountain views are pretty impressive too

Some people just like to live on the edge!

Again, beautiful views and we pretty much have the trail to ourselves.

However, remember to look down occassionally - you never know what you'll find - like this fossil of a shell a Nautilus?

Or maybe some pictographs?

Almost to the end

A view of the Hot Springs from the overlook. Since it was getting near 90 degrees we opted out of a dip into the 105 degree pool. While standing at the overlook we saw the younger couple at the hot springs shouting to a mexican on horseback on the other side of the river.

The Mexican waved the guy on further down the river and an exchange was made - I don't think it was souvenirs

The old Store - too bad they still don't operate selling cold drinks! Thankfully we have enough water for the 3 mile return trip!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n
More Later,

Melissa and Gary

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Big Bend Day 1 - Hike 3 - Nature Trail Rio Grande Village

Our last hike of the day is actually a .75 mile loop at the Campground just across the way.

It begins at a raised boardwalk across restored wetlands. There are ducks and frogs that make a ruckus and bats fly around at night to eat the insects.

We start the loop trail

and decide to venture further to the River. We spot some mexicans crossing the river on horseback and decide to high tail it back to the marked trail.

A high promontory provides panoramicviews wouth into Mexico. We see the Mexicans crossing the river back into Mexico towards the town of Boquillas.

From one side a beautiful view of the Santa Elana Mountains

The other a view of the Rio Grande River

While waiting for the sunset I see this dragon fly. After he took off he landed on my shutter finger on the camera!

The Sunset was worth the Hike!

We should sleep well tonight!

Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n
More Later,
Melissa and Gary

Big Bend Day 1 - Hike 2 - Ernst Tinaja Trail

Our 2nd Hike is 1 mile round trip but we must travel 4.5 miles down a primitive back road

4WD only

the trail starts through a dried creek bed

then goes into the Canyon

There are fascinating layers of buff, yellow, gray and reddish-brown limestone and shale about 450 feet thick.

The Tinaja is spanish for Jug. The water level in the Tinaja fluctuates. Local faulting ha produced a spring at this spot. Deer, javelina and a mountain lion have been found drowned at this spot.