camping hi and lo elevations in early December???

[hulahut]

I am going to Big Bend for my first camping trip there in early December. Some people have said that we could find areas that differ greatly in temperature by choosing what elevations we visit. Am wanting to understand these options better. If it gets really cold, can we hope to find a place low in elevation that is appreciably warmer than other locations? Also, are the hot springs high or low? Thanks, it is vast and I have much to learn.

[chisos muse]

I would suggest first looking over the park website thoroughly to educate yourself.The winter months can bring mild or frigid days, unlike the summer when the heat is consistent. Best to keep an eye on the daily report posted or contact the park directly. The mountain temps are usually 10-15 degrees cooler in the summer, but the river temps at night in the winter can be colder than the mountains. I know it sounds weird but it's true. The wind is also a huge factor. You have to be prepared for many conditions when camping in Big Bend. The hot springs are at river level and can sometimes be buried depending on river conditions. Always good to have an alternate itinerary in this wild and scenic corner of the world! 

[badknees]

Like Muse said most people assume that the lower elevations are warmer than the higher elevations and while this is generally true during the daytime hours and summer, in Big Bend the coldest nights in winter tend to occur in the lowest elevations. This usually happens under clear sky conditions with low humidity and little wind. The difference can be startling, sometimes as much as 10-15 deg F. The cold air sinks quickly after sunset and pools in low areas. This phenomenon is common throughout the desert southwest. In December it is best to be prepared for extremes. Regardless of where you are,  be prepared for cold to very cold nights. Be prepared for cold or hot, wet or dry.... BB is a land of extremes.

[Al]

Like Muse said most people assume that the lower elevations are warmer than the higher elevations and while this is generally true during the daytime hours and summer, in Big Bend the coldest nights in winter tend to occur in the lowest elevations. This usually happens under clear sky conditions with low humidity and little wind. The difference can be startling, sometimes as much as 10-15 deg F. The cold air sinks quickly after sunset and pools in low areas. This phenomenon is common throughout the desert southwest. In December it is best to be prepared for extremes. Regardless of where you are,  be prepared for cold to very cold nights. Be prepared for cold or hot, wet or dry.... BB is a land of extremes.

Yup, I have camped in Big Bend and in Mexico adjacent to Big Bend in December around 30 times over the years.  It's a great time to go, BUT, you can go from shorts one day to miserable freezing sleet and howling winds the next.  Plan for anything.  Watch the weather channel and get the big weather picture before you go.

Al

[WL2]

I would like to add, be prepared for wind.  It is usually not bad but it can blow and blow hard that time of year.  lower quality tents can be flatened.

[MilesOfTexas]

The one thing I noticed when I was there last December was just how rapidly the temperatures dropped at night.  The daytime temps were beautiful and I found myself even sweating, but once the sun set the temps didn't drop gradually as I expected (which caught me unprepared the first night).  Instead the sinking cold air was nearly instant.  I would have to look, but if I recall correctly it went from mid to high 60's during the day to single digit temps at night (I was there Dec 25-27).  Be prepared to take advantage of layered clothing and don't leave your cold temp clothes in the car like I did the first night!

[Al]

The one thing I noticed when I was there last December was just how rapidly the temperatures dropped at night.  The daytime temps were beautiful and I found myself even sweating, but once the sun set the temps didn't drop gradually as I expected (which caught me unprepared the first night).  Instead the sinking cold air was nearly instant.  I would have to look, but if I recall correctly it went from mid to high 60's during the day to single digit temps at night (I was there Dec 25-27).  Be prepared to take advantage of layered clothing and don't leave your cold temp clothes in the car like I did the first night!

Yup, we have a saying, "when the sun goes down it gets cold."  It's best to be ready to start layering up when the sun nears the horizon.  In other words get out of your day clothes into what you plan to sleep in and layer over that for hanging out before bed.

Al

[MilesOfTexas]

I had to look and it looks like the low in PJ for December 26, 2009, was 10F, and the high was 62F, so I was off a few degrees on each side of the coin.

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=MPJNT2&day=26&year=2009&month=12

[MilesOfTexas]

There may be better resources, but weather underground has some interesting temp history information, including graphs.  Here is the monthly information for PJ from December of last year:

http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=MPJNT2&graphspan=month&month=12&day=26&year=2009

[MilesOfTexas]

Yup, we have a saying, "when the sun goes down it gets cold."

I am a converted believer!!!

[Al]

Yup, we have a saying, "when the sun goes down it gets cold."

I am a converted believer!!!

Thus the reason we worship the infrared heater when primitive camping and the sun goes down.*

Al

* Most recent Trip Reports

http://www.bigbendgallery.com/uploads/files/BB_Feb2009_InfraRed_SC.jpg

[dkerr24]

A drawback of Dec camping is the short hours of daylight.  Definitely limits your day hiking range.  After sleeping 8 hours, I'm ready to do something besides wait for daylight.

[Reece]

Who ever slept for eight hours when camping? Bring a light and be prepared for some tortured reading.

[chisos muse]

Who ever slept for eight hours when camping?

 

Four straight hours on a Thermarest would be considered a good thing! Now, car camping is totally different. My Coleman air mattress & pillow from home and I can do 8 no problem...

BACK to the TOPIC...more daylight is a good thing when camping and hiking!

[MilesOfTexas]

I am usually up and out of the Basin about two hours before sunrise and don't normally return until about two hours after sunset, so imagine my surprise the first time I 'slept in' and woke to the sun painting the Basin.  That was a surreal, glorious, moment!!!