New Years 2008 trip suggestions needed

[riverrat]

I renamed this thread so it would better explain when we'll be there. Christmas Break 2007 may have been misleading. Thanks!

After looking at our calendars for the upcoming 07-08 school year (I work for the district) we have determined that our next trip to BIBE will have to occur during Christmas Break. (Hubbie doesn't think summer would be a good time for BIBE. He has problems dealing with the heat.) I have already reserved a room at the lodge for 5 night beginning New Year's Eve. We talked about camping but decided we'd go the easy, albeit, expensive route this time. It will probably be just hubbie and me. Kids are working now so them getting off for a week at the same time prob won't happen. Besides, I'm selfish. We need the "alone" time.

Anywho...

Now that lodging is set, what to do? Hubbie wants to tackle Emory Peak and I want to do Ernst Tinaja, as well as The Window. As far as I have read, Emory will take up a good hunk of a day. (We don't ever hurry and just aren't fit enough to not take several "sightseeing" breaks on longer hikes. :D ) The other two mentioned are fairly short so might could do both of them in one day.

We did Santa Elena and Boquillas on our first trip. Either one would bear a repeat, I'm sure. We didn't do any side ventures, though, just there and back. We drove the length of Old Maverick Road but didn't stop to look at anything. So, that would be some thing to try. I will look into renting a jeep for that, though. My suburban still has not gotten over all that jarring!!! I don't think anything fell off but I wouldn't bet on it!

My biggest question concerns NY's eve. I found that Far Flung does a "party" overnight rafting trip at a cost of @ $350 per person. Do you reckon it would be worth it? Since it is the only time we would ever do that, we can go the money. I just want to know we will be getting our money's worth. Is there something better going on? ( We love live music but do not drink anymore.So, a "full on party" isn't necessay. I just liked the sound of a guided river tour.) Yes, I know it's early but I like to have all my ducks in a row, at least as far as possible. If we were to do this raft trip we would forego a night in the Basin and find somewhere else to stay the night before since we would have to be at their office in Terlingua (?) by 8am. Any suggestions there, too, are invited and most welcomed.

I know that with your input and suggestions, we will have a great start to a New Year! I am open to all suggestions, BTW. Thanks ahead of time!!

[Roy]

No wonder I can't ever get reservations over the holidays; you guys have them all booked up before Easter :)

Emory Peak is about 8.5mi. round trip and you've got quite an altitude gain;  I'd definitely consider that a full day;  winter days are short.

Personally, I prefer Lost Mine Peak over The Window , but either (or both) would be nice.

I'd include Ernst Tinaja as part of a day exploring the length of the Old Ore Road, if you've got a vehicle that can handle it.  Lots of other neat stuff out there;  well worth a full day.

Other trails I'd consider would be Pine Canyon, Mule Ears, Dog Canyon, and maybe the trail between Hot Springs and Rio Grande Village (don't think it has an official name). These trails are in widely different areas of the park and in different terrains;  give you a a bit of a park "over view".

Never done a river trip, but deep in the canyons in January sounds a little cold to me;  others probably have more information.

[riverrat]

Thanks for your input, Roy! We did Lost Pines Trail the first time, too. Forgot to mention that one. Awesome view!! I'll study up on the Old Ore Road. Haven't heard of it but I'm sure there's a lot I haven't heard about :lol: !Keep the ideas coming! How does the difficulty level of Emery compare with Lost Pines? i rememeber quite a few switchbacks at one point with some level parts,too. I do know it took about 1/3 the time coming down as it did going up!

[Roy]

Emory Peak is significantly more difficult than Lost Mine Peak;  I think that's the trail you're referring to as Lost Pines.  Lost Mine trail head is on the Chisos road just before you get to the Basin.  The shortest route to Emory is up the Pinnacles Trail;  lots of switch backs, etc.  This is probably the steepest stretch of trail in Big Bend.  Emory Peak Trail branches from this and runs about a mile uphill along a ridge line to the peak.  The last little bit requires a scramble up a vertical rock face about 10-12 feet.

Ernst Tinaja is off the Old Ore Road.  You're going to need a vehicle with some ground clearance as this is one of the back country dirt roads.  While it doesn't noramlly require 4WD, you're going to want to check with the Rangers before going in there.  Some rough driving experience is also a good idea.

Of the other trails I mentioned, Pine Canyon also requires some back country driving.  Pine Canyon road leads off the Glen Springs road;  again, not normally a 4WD road, but it's definitely not I  10 :)   The other trails I mentioned are all on paved roads;  Mule Ears is probably the most difficult to walk.  No major uphill stretches, but a LOT of up and down as you cross washes and ridge lines.

I'd highly recommend copies of the park's Hikers Guide and Backcountry Road Guide.  You should be able to order them from the park's online book store.

[Al]

Pine Canyon is easier to get to than Ernst because of one rugged hill headed down Old Ore Road going north to Ernst.  It takes a little driving skill going back from Ernst but we've never had a problem driving either road with a two wheel drive pickup. We have taken rent cars to both sites, but I do not recommend taking a car.  Actually if you are a real good driver you can go to either site in a car but you better be real good at driving "back" roads and I mean REAL GOOD.  Otherwise at a minimum you need a high clearance SUV or truck  . . .  

I remember the time we helped an old VW van get unstuck while we were camping at one of the Ernst campsites but she had messed up and drove into the soft sand in a stream bed off the road.

Al

[riverrat]

Emory Peak is significantly more difficult than Lost Mine Peak;  I think that's the trail you're referring to as Lost Pines.

Duh! I knew what I meant but fingers typed what "they" thought! Thanks for all the good info! Our suburban took a beating on Old Maverick road but keeps on ticking just with a few more rattles now. Old Ore Road is worse than that, I'm taking.

Grapevine Hills is another place I'd like to explore. We will certainly gather all the info and books on what to expect and what to plan for. Stuck is something I do not want to become.

On the road to the Hot Springs one of our tires was gashed by the sharp rock almost to the end of the one way coming out. That was fun. Yeah, right. We had a good spare and only one other car came by so it wasn't too much of a problem but I tell you what! They are sure proud of tires in Terlingua!! But whatcha gonna do?