Author Topic: Ocotillo and Candelilla Questions (Read 1421 times) Tweet Share

NCDesertRat · « **on:** September 13, 2011, 10:59:05 PM »

I will be in the park in mid October for about 10 days backpacking some nights but otherwise staying in roadsite sites. My question is around a couple of sites that seem to fit with my plans but that I don't hear much about. Is Candelilla a good site for the east side of the park in terms of views (sunsets/sunrise) and access? I have an option to stay a couple of nights there or one there and one in Pine Canyon. Which would you do? On the west side, is Ocotillo preferable to the Terlingua Abajo sites in terms of views? Also, has anyone had the chance to drive to the Pine Canyon sites since the road was regraded? Thanks for any insights or pix of sites if you have them.

Al · « **Reply #1 on:** September 13, 2011, 11:11:18 PM »

Quote from: NCDesertRat on September 13, 2011, 10:59:05 PM

I will be in the park in mid October for about 10 days backpacking some nights but otherwise staying in roadsite sites. My question is around a couple of sites that seem to fit with my plans but that I don't hear much about. Is Candelilla a good site for the east side of the park in terms of views (sunsets/sunrise) and access? I have an option to stay a couple of nights there or one there and one in Pine Canyon. Which would you do? On the west side, is Ocotillo preferable to the Terlingua Abajo sites in terms of views? Also, has anyone had the chance to drive to the Pine Canyon sites since the road was regraded? Thanks for any insights or pix of sites if you have them.

Candelilla is in a hole with a restricted view but being the southern most primitive site on Old Ore Rd. has its advantages in terms of accessing hard top at that end of the park. Pine Canyon has much better views at the higher numbered sites.

I prefer Ocotillo Grove for privacy and it has a great view but you have better access to day hikes at Terlingua Abajo.

Al

Geezer · « **Reply #2 on:** September 14, 2011, 12:22:17 AM »

Pine Canyon is a great location for overnight.

Geezer

mule ears · « **Reply #3 on:** September 14, 2011, 06:37:15 AM »

Quote from: NCDesertRat on September 13, 2011, 10:59:05 PM

Also, has anyone had the chance to drive to the Pine Canyon sites since the road was regraded? Thanks for any insights or pix of sites if you have them.

catz just gave us a report and said the Pine Canyon road was the best he'd ever seen and easy in a passenger car.

jeffblaylock · « **Reply #4 on:** September 14, 2011, 06:54:49 AM »

From Candelilla, it's a short drive back down the Old Ore Road to a hill with a great view toward the Sierra del Carmens. I've seen a couple of sunsets from there; they do not disappoint.

Homer67 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 14, 2011, 10:22:57 AM »

Here is a view toward Pine Canyon from PC4:

catz · « **Reply #6 on:** September 14, 2011, 02:54:37 PM »

Of the Pine Canyon sites, I like PC 4 the best. And now that the road has been fixed, getting in and out is a breeze.

jim2 · « **Reply #7 on:** September 14, 2011, 08:07:20 PM »

camp de leon is a little farther down the old ore road. i saw a stunning sunset and a beautiful sunrise from there one october. look for the living rocks in bloom along the road and around the campsite. the tent pad is on the side of a small hill, a very short walk to the top of the hill provides a great view of the chisos.

Al · « **Reply #8 on:** September 15, 2011, 12:42:04 AM »

Camp de Leon is a great view site. Very exposed to the western sun BUT has great views of the park!

Al

NCDesertRat · « **Reply #9 on:** September 15, 2011, 07:51:34 PM »

Looks like a very nice view from near Candelilla, Jeff - almost reminiscent in a way of the Window view - almost. Back to the Pine Canyon sites, did I see somewhere that there are now 5 sites? My Trails Illustrated map shows PC4 right at the PC trailhead.

NCDesertRat · « **Reply #10 on:** September 15, 2011, 07:57:21 PM »

As far as sites further north on the Old Ore Road from Candelilla such as de Leon and Ernst Tinaja, are road conditions usually about the same in that whole southern end? I saw on the Daily Report that currently that road REQUIRES four wheel drive. With no rain there, what changes those conditions? I don't want to go that extra few miles and curse my Outback for it.

Al · « **Reply #11 on:** September 15, 2011, 08:08:31 PM »

PC 4 is the way to go for the best location and view.

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/roadsidecamps_pc.htm

I've never had a problem getting down Old Ore Rd. with high clearance 2 wheel drive even in the pouring rain. Rain can be a problem on River Rd. and the park will close it for several days after a hard rain.

Al

jim2 · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2011, 09:54:23 PM »

the old pine canyon 4 is now p.c.5. i think p.c.5 is a great campsite. it has been moved away from the trailhead to a spot with an outstanding view of the carmens and the chisos.

Al · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2011, 10:32:18 PM »

I was going to say PC5 too, but it's been a year or so since we camped along Pine Canyon Rd. and after checking the NPS Big Bend Website it no longer shows PC5. The campsites have been changed fairly recently, is it out of date?

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/roadsidecamps_pc.htm#CP_JUMP_138169

Al

tjavery · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2011, 07:52:13 AM »

Quote from: Al on September 30, 2011, 10:32:18 PM

I was going to say PC5 too, but it's been a year or so since we camped along Pine Canyon Rd. and after checking the NPS Big Bend Website it no longer shows PC5. The campsites have been changed fairly recently, is it out of date?

http://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/roadsidecamps_pc.htm#CP_JUMP_138169

Al

That's strange. I couldn't imagine why they'd get rid of PC5.

I like PC5. It's roughly 1 mile from the trailhead in Pine Canyon. I first stayed there in 2004, and it was PC4 at the time. Shortly after 2004, they renamed it to PC5.

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