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Author Topic: Camping in mid-January  (Read 480 times)  Share 

Offline aamerjaved

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Camping in mid-January
« on: December 13, 2011, 04:43:26 PM »
Hi

Can anyone please provide some input about camping in mid-January? Will we be freezing cold during the nights?

We are looking to do some hiking and would like to camp 4 nights (besides the fact that Chisos lodge is already full)...

Since we are not experienced in back country hiking/camping, I am trying to avoid that. I am interested in Chisos campground.

Any other recommendations are welcome.
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Offline Casa Grande

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Camping in mid-January
« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2011, 05:04:54 PM »
Yup it'll be cold alright. How cold? Depends, but likely in the 30s at night.  As far as will you be cold?  That all depends on how prepared you are.  January will be cold.
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Offline elhombre

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2011, 06:34:20 PM »
There are hotels in Study Butte and Terlingua.  As stated before, it will be cold.  In January, you have the opportunity to sweat and freeze all in the same day.  Staying in a hotel the entire time at the park will keep you from experiencing the best part of Big Bend.  The outdoors.  I suggest you bite the bullet and invest in what ever you need to stay warm in the chisos campground and make memories that you will last a life time.   
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Offline Geezer

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2011, 10:40:46 PM »
I'll just leap in and suggest that if it will be in the 30s -- and you need to study the weather forecast for Big Bend in the days before you depart -- it would be reasonable to take a 20 degree rated sleeping bag. Even then you may be cold, but since you are car camping in Basin, no reason why you can't take some extra clothes to wear in the bag. Long Johns or such would be nice to have in reserve. But look at the current post here about choosing a bag -- there's more to it than you might think.

Geezer
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Offline steelfrog

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2011, 11:53:59 PM »
Not bad at all usually.  My Bro and I did it last Jan (and will again this Jan) no problem.  Temps--high 20s at night, low 50s day.  In the Basin and mountains.
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Offline aamerjaved

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #5 on: December 14, 2011, 07:37:51 AM »
Thanks all for the tips...I will put the temp worries aside for now and start planning the hikes.

Will check the temps the week we plan to leave.
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Offline R.W. Brown

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #6 on: December 14, 2011, 10:23:55 AM »
Follow up question .... I am also going to be in BB for a week in mid Jan for the Big Bend ULtra. How crowded will the park be? Should I make reservations or will camping spots in RGV be available?
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Offline aamerjaved

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #7 on: December 14, 2011, 10:44:31 AM »
RW Brown  I would suggest checking recreation.gov for an idea on campsite availability. If many are available that means you can have a good chance to get one on arrival.. Now of course if everyone plans it that way.....:)

Quote from: R.W. Brown on December 14, 2011, 10:23:55 AM
Follow up question .... I am also going to be in BB for a week in mid Jan for the Big Bend ULtra. How crowded will the park be? Should I make reservations or will camping spots in RGV be available?
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Offline Homer67

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Re: Camping in mid-January
« Reply #8 on: December 14, 2011, 03:01:55 PM »
Sandi and I did a trip at the end of January this year that included Marufo Vega, W07, Mule Ears, and other backcountry areas...it was cold at night, some nights in the 20's, most in the 30's.  It was a haul to carry the 4-season equipment.  The days were very enjoyable, but around 3:45 one could feel the biting chill in the air, the signal to get on the longjohns and get ready to get in the tent.  It was an enjoyable trip, one of the most memorable we've done, but the short days were definitely a factor in how our hikes went.

I love how the winter desert looks!  Here is a view of Goat Mountain off the Mule Ears trail, east of Trap Spring:


Goat Mountain from Mule Ears trail east of Trap Spring  Jan 2011 by SuperHomer67, on Flickr

Have a great trip! 

Homer
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Ah Big Bend, we will soon return to reacquaint ourselves in our ritual of blood, exhaustion and dehydration. How can we resist the temptation to strip ourselves of the maladies of civilization?

Offline Casa Grande

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Camping in mid-January
« Reply #9 on: December 14, 2011, 03:32:49 PM »
Quote from: R.W. Brown on December 14, 2011, 10:23:55 AM
Follow up question .... I am also going to be in BB for a week in mid Jan for the Big Bend ULtra. How crowded will the park be? Should I make reservations or will camping spots in RGV be available?

MLK time in the park is far from being crowded.  Certainly not a concern I would worry about.
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