Upper Smokey Creek

[BIBEARCH (not logged in)]

This route has a nice set of ledges at Mesa Bonita Spring (marked "Spring" on the map) that you will need to skirt around.

What does Mesa Bonita refer to? One of the nearby hills?

Looking into the park spring records, I found that my wife was actually the person who named Mesa Bonita Spring in 1986. She says she named it Mesa Bonita ("Pretty Table") for the long shelf that spans the drainage where the spring flows.

[BIBEARCH]

This route has a nice set of ledges at Mesa Bonita Spring (marked "Spring" on the map) that you will need to skirt around.

What does Mesa Bonita refer to? One of the nearby hills?

Looking into the park spring records, I found that my wife was actually the person who named Mesa Bonita Spring in 1986. She says she named it Mesa Bonita ("Pretty Table") for the long shelf that spans the drainage where the spring flows.

BIBEARCH, is that you?

Uh
I think I entered from the Admin notification about new posts and failed to log in....
Yes, BIBEARCH's wife was actually....

[trtlrock]

Looking into the park spring records, I found that my wife was actually the person who named Mesa Bonita Spring in 1986.

That's pretty cool...

[Summit]

I became suddenly fearful of Mtn Lion attack (I was solo as usual but 3 days on the trail) and felt like I was being stalked and watched.  I am convinced to this day that I subconciously smelled the Lion and that it was indeed present in this drainage.  TWWG

I plan on doing an overnighter in this area soon.  I´ve never been to BIBE, and am wondering what to do with food when zone camping in this area.  I´ve read the thread in the "zone camping" forum regarding what to do with food--but this area might actually have some bear and mtn lions... do you guys bring bear cannisters or hang your food (assuming there are trees).  Also, any great spots to camp?  We were planning on putting in at "Homer Wilson" and the Dodson east to the Smokey creek trail and then down to mule ear.  I was thinking we'd hitch hike back up to our car at Homer wilson--does this sound feasible?  thanks, Summit

[Robert]

Check out this link. Looks like most people don't worry about critters. You probably have a better chance or running into them in the developed campgrounds where animals are more acclimated to people. I've never had an animal get into our food while backpacking. In the Chisos, they have bear boxes so you're covered there.

http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/hiking-the-desert/food-protection-in-the-desert-t4867.0.html

[mule ears]

Robert gave you the definitive thread on food protection in the desert.  I have never had a problem with animals in the desert.  The rodents are the worst.  Just keep a clean camp and don't keep stuff in your pack all zipped up so they will want to chew through it. 

The trip is a good one the hardest part will be hitching back to the car.  Here is a thread from TWWG on tips for that area.  http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/hiking-the-desert/tips-and-trails-in-upper-smokey-creek-sierra-quemada-t3823.0.html

Have fun, Mule Ears spring is one of the best in the desert, enjoy.

[TheWildWestGuy]

Don't worry about the critters but don't go looking for trouble either.  I usually keep all my gear and food inside my tent and the food in ziplock bags.  I burn any can's and smelly stuff on my stove before putting it into my trash ziplock just to be cautious.   I have never had any problems in-camp.

As for hitching from Mule Ears back to Homer Wilson - this is do-able provided you go during March and not July.  Vehicles are much more common in March and someone will stop and give you a ride no problem, especially if just one of you hitches up to get the vehicle and comes back for the others (subject to negotiation).   I have hitched from this area back to the Basin with a bicycle even (blown out tube and tire).   There are usually a lot of people and tourists in the Mule Ears Parking Lot so you could easily just ask them if they could give you a ride.   I have found a $20 bill greatly expedites this process, especially with young college-age drivers.

This is a GREAT hike, even during the Spring Break crowds this area is relatively under-utilized and has lots of water.  The best campsites on your route are:
1- the "3 dog" campsite on the Dodson Trail about 1/10 mile West of the Smokey Creek Junction.
2- any flat spot along the Smokey Creek Trail after it leaves the large dry bowl about 3-4 miles South of the Dodson.
3- the "black rock springs" campsite where the trail emerges from the front of the Sierra Quemadas into a narrow chasm with flowing water about 4 miles from Mule Ears Springs.   Hike about 1/4 mile downstream from the springs and you will find a great campsite on the first major turn in the drainage.   Several large table-sized boulders and lots of soft sand for the tent(s).
4- the "Mule Ears View" campsite about 1/2 mile above Smokey Creek on the Mule Ears Trail.  This is a dry land campsite but you can hike the ~1-2 miles to Mule Ears Springs to fill up on water.   During Spring Break Mule Ears Spring is crowded with campers so it's best to stay off a good ways...

This is a great area and much better than the High Chisos during Spring Break... TWWG

[billh]

Just posted a trip report on Lower Smokey Creek. WWG, your name came up a lot on this trip, as we remember fondly how helpful your comments were in the planning of our Smokey Creek Trip 2 years ago. Gracias para su ayuda!

[TheWildWestGuy]

Thanks Bill... you know we look so much alike that someone (who shall remain nameless) had us confused and thought we were one-and-the-same.  I even wear a hat just like yours.  Of course we still could be... you could be posting under both names! ... TWWG (or am I really Billh??).   If I post under both names and ask myself advice does it still count in my post count?  Some of those newbies are catching up to me/us fast..

[billh]

Why wwg, you must be one good looking fellow. Hey, maybe you could fill in for me at the office, while I head to Big Bend!

[homerboy2u]

Why wwg, you must be one good looking fellow. Hey, maybe you could fill in for me at the office, while I head to Big Bend!

  Be carefull TWWG of what you write, or someday your posts will comeback to haunt you.... ....Boooo!!