Trip Itenarary for Feb. 21st-25th... please comment...!

[mes181]

Big Bend Trip, Feb. 2007

Back ground info:
This is my 3rd trip out to Big Bend, and the 3rd in the last 3 years. I have spent about 11 days in the park, and have seen a lot for the short amount of time I have spent there. The last 2 trips were with my Father and my Uncle, though this time it will be just me and a friend of mine who is new to Big Bend. I am trying to cram in as much as possible, but feel free to let me know if you think it is too much. My goal is to provide an ample introduction to my friend, so that he will want to come back again and spend more time exploring the park. Among the new adventures I am planning on trying this time is backpacking in the Chisos. Last time I did a day hike that included the Pinnacles trail up to Emory peak, then back via Boot Canyon trail, Colima, and finally down Laguna Meadows, so I have a reasonable understanding of the terrain. I hope this trip allows me the opportunity to share my knowledge and enthusiasm of the park with my friend, and build long lasting memories in process.


Itinerary:  Feb. 21st-25th 2007


Day 1: Wed. Feb. 21st
Depart Austin 3pm, travel to BBNP via I-35 to Hwy 290 to I-10, to 385 into the park.
ETA Park (Basin car campground) 12AM (Feb. 22nd)
Food: Dinner (on the road)
Activities: Take turns driving and sleeping, set up minimal camp upon arrival. (Late departure due to work that AM)
 
Day 2: Thurs. Feb. 22nd
Food: Breakfast: (at car campsite)
Lunch:  Picnic at Hot Springs (picnic)
Dinner: Grapevine Hills campsite (at car campsite)
Activities: Make reservations for backcountry camping at Ranger Station at 8am.
-Boquillas Canyon, quick hike… on the road by 9:30am.
-Hot Springs, quick dip in the water and picnic, on the road by 11am.
-River Road to Santa Elena Canyon, quick hike, photo opportunities.
-Maxwell Scenic drive to Grapevine Hills campsite to set up camp, ETA 4pm. Quick hike to balancing rocks for sunset.
 
Day 3: Fri. Feb. 23rd
Food: Breakfast: Grapevine Hills (at car campsite)
Lunch: On the trail (packed)
Dinner: Northeast Rim 3 (at backcountry campsite)
Activities:
-Pack up camp, drive to basin trailhead, and start up trail by 9am.
-Backpack up to Northeast 3, via Laguna Meadows to Southwest Rim, and then Boot Canyon Trail back to Northeast Rim. (Long but scenic route)
-Enjoy the sunset from NE3. (Photographic opportunity)

Day 4: Sat. Feb. 24th
Food: Breakfast: NE3 (at backcountry campsite)
Lunch: On the trail. (packed)
Dinner: Emory Peak 1 (at backcountry campsite)
Activities:
-Day hike from NE3 to the Summit of Casa Grande (not sure of trail yet) with picnic lunch on the summit.
-Enjoy sunset from EP 1 campsite, or Emory Peak. (Can you climb down after sunset?)

Day 5: Sun. Feb. 25th
Food: Breakfast: EP 1 (at backcountry campsite)
Lunch: On the trail. (packed)
Dinner: On the road.
Activities:
 -Enjoy sunrise from EP 1 campsite, or Emory Peak. (Can you climb before sunrise?) Great photographic opportunity.
-Hike back to the trailhead, pack up vehicle. ETA 1pm


Depart Big Bend National Park via 118 through Alpine and then down I-10 for different scenery. Departure ETA 3pm

Arrive in Austin approximately at 12am. (Mon. Feb. 26th)


Summary:
5 Days/4 Nights

Attractions:
-Basin Campground
-Boquillas Canyon
-Hot Springs
-River Road (Drive by only, no time to stop and explore)
-Santa Elena Canyon
-Grapevine Hills (Balancing Rocks)
-Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

Basin Trails:
-Laguna Meadows
-Southwest Rim
-Boot Canyon
-Northeast Rim
-Emory Peak
-Pinnacles

Meals:

                       Breakfast      Lunch         Dinner

On the road      0         0          2

Car Campsite         2                1         1

Back Country          2                3         2
Campsite

[Don H]

I'm in a hurry but just a couple quick comments.  I believe the NE3 site and all NE sites will be closed for the Falcons, those trails in that area will be closed as well.  What kind of vehicle you driving, driving the entire length of the River Road might be dicey if rain has been in the area.  I'm sure someone will follow up with more info.  Gotta go.

EDIT.  Just did a real quick check.  Looks like you're in luck, it appears that only the NE4 & 5 sites are closed.  Check out News Releases on the NPS website.

[mes181]

I believe I checked, and NE3 is the furthest most sight that will not be closed... according to the NPS website... I was planning to travel up the South  West rim, and then back down Boot Canyon to avoid the closed sections of the North East Rim.

As far as the best camping sites on the rim, any suggestions? I have never made it out there before, so I am just going by pictures, so any input would be greatly appreciated.

I have an Isuzu Rodeo, so I shouldn't have any problems with River Road. It is only a 4X2 however, so I will use caution with any muddy spots. I drove it in Jan 06, without much trouble... I don't believe it has rained out there recently? Any updates...? The last rain was near the end of Jan, begining of Feb, no?

Thanks for the comments, and I really appreciate the input...

-Mark

[Casa Grande]

I day hike from NE3 to Casa Grande Summit sounds a bit ambitious, perhaps even impossible.  You may want to reconsider.  NE3 should be open as it's from NE4 to the SE sites that will be closed.  However, I would pick SW4 or 3 instead as there isn't much of a view from NE3 (if any).  Unfortunately, the best campsite is closed this time of year.  Instead of a hike to Casa Grande, why not take the most awesome hike ever and do the entire rim trail!

A climb to Emory Peak for the sunset would be awesome!  Unfortunately, you're not going to be able to see the sunset from EP1 due to its position.  (the sunrise will be a fabulous view from there, however!)

Also, Hot Springs to River Road, to Santa Elena, then to Grapvine in 5 hours is pretty much going to be impossible.  If you really wanna go River Road, you may want to skip Santa Elena as you won't have much time and leave HS earlier.  An alternative is to skip the west side all together, stop and explore Mariscal Mines then go back up Black Gap to Glenn Springs then head over to Grapevine. (or take your time and stay at Fresno in lieu of Grapevine). Still, you should leave Hot Springs earlier if you want to do some backcountry exploring along the way without being rushed.

hope this helps!

follow up: you may want to skip River Road all together if it's too muddy...it's not just a few spots it's a lot and in a 4x2, you may get into trouble.

[BIBE FNG]

That sounds like a fun trip.  I don't think you put too much on the plate, so to speak.

Regarding hiking in the dark, I think much of what we do is governed by two concepts:  what we can do versus what we should do.

Due to a very late start last November, we hiked most of Boot Canyon to NE1 after sunset and mostly in the dark.  We had flashlights, maps, etc. so navigating wasn't a problem.  While I fully enjoyed the stars from the clear night, I also wonder what views I missed.  That's what we could do.

Should we have?  Maybe not, but I'd do it again.  With limited vision, a bear encounter (or something like that) would have been trickier.  Should you?  That's up to you to decide; but like you, I'd also be interested in what others more experienced have to say.

Again, sounds like a fun trip.  Should come home with tired legs but lots of pictures.

[01ACRViper]

River road east to west is going to take you 4.5 to 5 hours, you jsut can't rush the western half, it will rattle your car to pieces. east to mariscal mine can be done in an hour, less if you're insane. But the western half is longer, rougher, with more obstacles and most likely some thick mud. there were some pictures posted of a motorcycle club enjoying the mud in early february on the road, right at the spot where it was bad in early january. my 4x4 grand cherokee with a mild lift and AT tires had to slide with no hope of getting started again had i gotten stuck. keep your speed up through the mud, i had to pull out 2 4 runners and an xterra that day on the road, all of the 2wd and high clearance. if you get stuck out there, it might be a long while until help comes. if you really want to get all that done, drive the paved roads, as its the only way you'll make it to Grapevine before dark.

[Robert]

Mark-
My only observation is that you have packed a lot of activities into day 2. It is an aggressive schedule that doesn't have much cushion. You will barely have time to get out of the car to see most of these places. Why don't you cut out one activity (maybe Boquillas) to allow you some extra time to "smell the roses". Especially if you have someone new to the park with you, you may want to stop and take a few pictures or visit some of the stops along Ross Maxwell Drive. Just a thought.

Edit: I missed the part about driving River Road to Santa Elena. My thinking is that this is aggressiv even via Ross Maxwell. No way you can do it via River Road.

[01ACRViper]

i just saw you want to try Casa Grande from the Rim. i haven't tried it, but from the top of Toll and from the top of Casa Grande, as well as the end of the lost mine trail the pinnacles around the ridge will give you many a headache, and it might not be possible without technical climbing. you could squeeze it in after you come down the pinnacles trail, but those rock slides are horrendous.

[mes181]

Thanks so much, great info Casa Grande... And thanks to everybody else too! I got so many responses while typing up this one...

Back to the response to Casa Grande... and genral thoughts about the trip...

I just wish we had more time. I want to show my friend so much, and have not enough time. Isn't that always the case? You seem to be one of the more knowledgeble folks on here... so I really appreciate your input.

I just found out about the Casa Grande hike, so that is what has captured my interest. I got to do Cat Tail falls on my first visit to BBNP, and those out of the way, lesser known trails are the best "secrets" to BBNP. I would love to find out about more of them as well, but for the purposes of this trip we probably don't have enough time for too much.

As far as this trip, would you recommend a combo of Hot Springs, Boquillas Canyon, and part of the River Road... or all of the River Road and Santa Elena Canyon? I am torn between what to see, and what to weed out. Last year I stayed at Fresno, and explored Mariscal, which was a lot of fun.

OK, I HAVE OPTED TO SKIP RIVER ROAD, AFTER THE UPDATES I HAVE RECIEVED. I HAVE NO INTEREST IN GETTING STUCK. THANKS YOU TO ALL FOR THE INFO! I SAW HOW MUDDY IT CAN GET LAST YEAR WHEN IT WAS FAIRLY DRY, AND ALTHOUGH I LIVED IN COSTA RICA AND WENT FOUR WHEELING OFTEN THERE, WITH A 4X2 I AM NOT INTERESTED IN TAKING MY CHANCES.

HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE TO SEE HOT SPRINGS, BOQUILLAS, AND THEN DRIVE VIA THE MAIN ROADS TO SANTA ELENA CANYON, AND THEN   BACK TO GRAPEVINE OR THE BASIN...? TOO MUCH I AM SURE... WHAT WOULD YOU GUYS CUT OUT...? I HAVE ALREADY BEEN TO GRAPVINE, BUT WOULD YOU CONSIDER IT OVER SOME OTHER DESTINATIONS FOR SOMEONE NEW TO THE PARK?

The basic goal of this trip is to spend 3 days and 2 nights in the Chisos backpacking... and the rest is really whatever we can see in the short 1-1.5 days.

If you have any great suggestions for that time frame, please let me know, I am totally open to change, and that is why I posted up on here...

As far as the our time in the Chisos, I definetly want to spend one night on the rim, and one at EP1. As far as the rim, I'll try and get either SW 3 or 4, as I was unsure of the view formn NE 3. (Thanks for the heads up about the view) By the way, for future reference, which do you consider to be the best site on the rim?

As far as nixing the Casa Grande trip, I'm ok witht hat. I'll have to save that for another trip. I saw ur pictures from up there though, and man did it make me want to go up there!

Completing the rim trail sounds great, but isn't it closed form the SE campsites all the way around to NE 3 due to the Falcons this time of year?
If not, that sounds great. If it is closed, do you have any other suggestions? It seems to me that from SW 3 or 4, to EP 1 would be a really light hike, considering we have an entire day to make that hike. Anything ealse we could throw in there would be great... any suggestions?   All I can think of is mabye Bot Spring, which is almost right near where we'll be anyhow.

Well, keep the suggestions coming... they are really appreciated... and I'll make sure to post pictures of the trip when we get back, as it is the least I can do for all your help...

Thanks again,
-Mark

[Casa Grande]

I just wish we had more time. I want to show my friend so much, and have not enough time. Isn't that always the case?

no kidding!

I think you'll have a better time shooting for one of the SW3 sites instead of the Northeast rim.  Since the SE rim is closed, you're going to get to the end of a deadend and have to turn around.  So I would try the NE and SE at another time.  Stick with the SW rim and you won't be disappointed. The cool thing about the SW3 campsite is you have access to the top of Blue Creek Canyon.  The sunset from there is spectacular!  You just make the little hop skip and a jump to the top of the hill from the campsite.  Of course SW4 is closer to the Rim making for an awesome sight no matter what time of day.

As far as the road trip along the River, I would stick to the West Side. Santa Elena is much more impressive for a newbie.   So I would spend my time along Ross Maxwell and see Tuff Canyon, Santa Elena,  Dorgan House, Homer Wilson, etc.

I know it gets exciting to plan your trip and you wanna do everything now....but you have a lifetime!  Enjoy it while you can!  Slow down, Amigo.

[mes181]

Ok, so I have decided a to skip Boquillas, Hot Springs and River Road, and opted to follow Casa Grande's advice.

I now plan to spend the 1st full day sticking to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and visiting Santa Elena, and then spend the night at Grapevine Hills. Are there any great short hikes in that vicinity, or just stick to the overlooks mainly, and would we have time for much else? Is Grapvine a good sunrise sunset location, as I have never spent the night there before?

As far as backpacking in the Chisos, we'll hike up to SW 3 or SW 4 for the first night, then onto EP1 or nearby for the 2nd night. What else would you suggest, as that seems like a short hike for a full day in the Chisos? We will hike out to the basin on the 3rd morning.  (Is 3 hours and accurate estimate to go from EP 1 to the lodge?)

Thanks again to everyone,

-Mark

[bdann]

A nice area not far from Ross Maxwell is the "Red Rocks" area along the Blue Creek Trail.  Go down to the Homer Wilson Ranch, then head up the Blue Creek Trail.  It's not far to the red rocks and you'll know it when you get there.