Big Bend Backroads

[Don H]

Check this link out Roy,
 http://www.terlinguagallery.com/terlingua_abaja.html
The map shows a Drydens Ranch in that location, could be the ruins of the ranch and their cemetary?

[Roy]

That's the spot.  Quick Google search reveals alternate name- the Brick Kiln- and listed in document from 1896 - Spansh American War- in relation to Eagle Mountain.  The document itself was not an active link.  So I know a little more, but not much.

Thanks Don, real good pick up.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Don H & Roy: Do you know if the Tres Negritas cemetary still exists? It was on a low bluff overlooking Tornillo Creek, below Black Peaks. It doesn't show up on a topo map, and it was in peril of being washed away 5-6 years ago.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

While we're on the subject, do any of you BiBe oldtimers remember a small sign at the Hannold gravesite that spoke of a second grave nearby? I swear I remember there being a marker that spoke of an unmarked grave of an unknown person. The speculation was that the person buried there probably worked on C.K. Hannold's ranch.

It probably would have been the mid-eighties the last time I think I saw this sign.

[Roy]

I've never been to Black Peaks, and the only reference to Tres Negritas I can find that refers to the cemetary is the web page listed previously. Everything else is pretty much in Spanish and a lot of it looks like it might even make Muse blush. :shock:
I seem to recall another grave site near Hannold but I wouldn't swear to it.

[chisos_muse]

I've never been to Black Peaks, and the only reference to Tres Negritas I can find that refers to the cemetary is the web page listed previously. Everything else is pretty much in Spanish and a lot of it looks like it might even make Muse blush. :shock:
I seem to recall another grave site near Hannold but I wouldn't swear to it.

Chingow Vato! Ju tinkin dat pinche stuff makin ME blush?    

[WL2]

Just to prove I do not have a lot to do.  I was looking on the USGS maps and started marking all the grave/cemetary locations I could.  here is a list.  Word of caution, the USGS maps sometime have locations wrong.  So if you use these locations do not be supprised it there is nothing there.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Dang WL2, I'm glad someone has a little more initiative than I do. Rice & Mariscal are on my to-do list for next January, as well as the San Vicente Crossing cemetery. I'm also going back to Neville Spring to make another stab at finding the grave there. This'll help big time. Thanks!!

[Casa Grande]

Just to prove I do not have a lot to do.  I was looking on the USGS maps and started marking all the grave/cemetary locations I could.  here is a list.  Word of caution, the USGS maps sometime have locations wrong.  So if you use these locations do not be supprised it there is nothing there.

hey, that's cool!  I'll log 'em in and check 'em out.  BB Mini-Tour of all the graves sounds like a cool idea :)

[jimmyaustin]

Hmm, this thread discourages me from ever seeing the poorer-road areas in my vehicle.  (Though thanks, it's good info.)  I have a Tacoma with the big tires and high clearance.  I love this truck, but sad to say, in 2W drive version it is a sham!  You get the high ride, the good appearance, but that's the end of the list of positives.  Because with a high center of gravity and drive on two wheels only (and little weight over the driver wheels, to boot!), this is not really a back roads vehicle.  I love this Toyota--it's built so solid--but what a mistake not to have spent the extra $2,300 and gotten the 4x4!  I was just in Canyonlands NP, Utah again, and it makes me sick not to be able to drive the White Rim Road and other places in that amazing park, which, if you love Big bend, you will fall in love with this place, too.

[txrounder]

.....havent plugged these in yet to see what is where, but found a "new" set last trip just across the road and uphill from Boquillas Crossing gate. Never saw them before or seen them listed anywhere.

[Doc Savage]

Jimmy,

Just because your truck is 2wd isn't a reason to give up on either river road or the white rim trail. Biggest advice would be to check the different times of year and ask the rangers first. Personally I didn't ride White Rim trail in Canyonlands, but I did take the Schaffer trail down the cliff to the start of the White Rim Trail, but I continued out of the park along the Potash road back to Moab (awsome drive and no need for 4wd, I did use the low range just to help with engine braking coming down the switchbacks to take some of the load off the brakes). River road is much the same.

The time of year and weather conditions really determine what is needed. I've driven the River Road when it is just a well graded gravel road, and then I've been there when it was rough and completely washed out in places with lots of loose sand and mud. Black Gap isn't much different. I think that the park service really tries to cover any liability issues by making such a big deal out of it. I've taken stock 2wd vehicles on trails much more difficult than Black Gap around here without so much as a brush scratch. Now having said that, the time River Road was so bad, we didn't get on Black Gap (although I wanted to). I did talk to someone who said they turned around at the cut thru the hill, they said the drop off at the end was 4' (I guess it could be if all the stacked rocks washed away, but it was all back in place last time I was there.

Biggest issue is knowing how to drive and being prepared for the worse (and knowing when to turn around. PS It is always best to travel in pairs).

Robert

[Lemming (forgot to login)]

.....havent plugged these in yet to see what is where, but found a "new" set last trip just across the road and uphill from Boquillas Crossing gate. Never saw them before or seen them listed anywhere.

Boquillas (Texas) Cemetery - five graves in very poor condition. The fence is fallen.

Location: east of Rio Grande Village. Turn off the main highway on Boquillas Canyon Road then travel 1.4 miles. You will see the white Barker lodge on the right. This graveyard is situated across the road from the Barker lodge at about one-hundred yards off the pavement. It is, or should be, visible from the road.

[Roy]

Hmm, this thread discourages me from ever seeing the poorer-road areas in my vehicle.  (Though thanks, it's good info.)  I have a Tacoma with the big tires and high clearance.  I love this truck, but sad to say, in 2W drive version it is a sham!  You get the high ride, the good appearance, but that's the end of the list of positives.  Because with a high center of gravity and drive on two wheels only (and little weight over the driver wheels, to boot!), this is not really a back roads vehicle.  I love this Toyota--it's built so solid--but what a mistake not to have spent the extra $2,300 and gotten the 4x4!  I was just in Canyonlands NP, Utah again, and it makes me sick not to be able to drive the White Rim Road and other places in that amazing park, which, if you love Big bend, you will fall in love with this place, too.

Most of the backroads in BBNP are usually Ok to travel in a high clearance 2WD vehicle under normal conditions.  Black Gap is usually the only exception.  Localized washouts, etc. can cause problems on any of them, but the Rangers are pretty good about warning people about problem areas.  My #1 Rule (with a bullet) for driving unfamiliar roads:  Make sure you can turn around if you need to.  Rule #2.  If you get to a questionable spot, or a blind curve or hill, get out and walk it before trying to drive it.  #3.  Spare tire(s), water, the usual tools etc..  I've never needed them in BBNP, but I always make sure I've got what I need..

I went to Canyonlands several years ago, and one of the Rangers convinced me I should drive Elephant Hill.  I think I got about 1/4 mile and turned around.  Now THAT is a 4WD only road.

[RichardM]

A few years ago we were worried about driving the Cottonwood Canyon road on our way to Bryce Canyon in a 2WD Chevy S-10 Blazer.  The first forest service guy we talked to severely discouraged us.  The second one seemed to have better info on the road conditions and said we'd probably be fine.  About a mile up the road we were met by some people coming down from the North end in a Cadillac (and I don't mean an Escalade).  Not far behind them was a couple in a Toyota Corrola.  So much for being intimidated.  :)