Please assist this newbie

[fjc]

Yes....yet another newbie asking the inevitable. Preparing for my first trip to Big bend which will take place March 10-14 and was wondering if anyone could give me some guidance on the type of itinerary I should formulate. I now realize that I am traveling during spring break and understand that the park is pretty busy. My main reason for going is to photograph some remarkable and breathtaking scenes. While photography is my first priority, I also want to make the most of my trip and visit some key spots without having to fight too many crowds(if they even exist in such a place). I will be traveling with my girlfriend and her seven-year-old. Though they are adventurous, they are limited to the amount of hiking they can do. I will have a high-clearance off road vehicle. We will not be doing any capming. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Francis

[jeffblaylock]

The tricks are (1) be flexible and (2) get up early.

Most of the best moments for photography in the desert are around sunrise and sunset, and the desert looks different at each time. You'll want to get an early start to each day to maximize photographic opportunities. Think about where you want to be for each, and then map your itinerary to those places. Spend the heat of the day, when the sun is overhead, focused on smaller things, like plants/flowers at Dugout Wells, or under the cottonwood trees, or inside.

If you're not camping, then you're not limited to moving around to take whatever spots are available. If you do not currently have reservations, then what you are able to find will dictate how long of a drive it will be to wherever you're going.

So, with that out of the way, what are you interested in seeing? How limited in hiking are you (1/2 mile, 2 miles, level terrain, short but steep sections OK, etc.)?

[fjc]

Thanks for replying, Jeff. Already plan on getting up EARLY and doing most of the hiking at dawn and dusk and hopefully find things to do that won't have us in the dead heat of the day. We are going to be limited to shorter hikes that don't have too much of an incline.
Thanks again!
Francis

[billh]

Shorter hikes:
Grapevine Hills (famous rock pile)
Window Trail
Lost Mine Trail (best bang for the buck)
Mule Ears (about 3.5 round trip) Spring is running nicely
Tuff Canyon (cool rocks)
Red Rocks, on Blue Creek Trail. very colorful, about 5 miles round trip I think
Top of burro mesa Pour off (nice window)
Pine Canyon (if you have high clearance)
Burro Springs (drop down below the pour off, springs usually running, great desert views

[jamesb]

big bend being crowded during spring break is kinda a relative term. For big bend its crowded during spring break, but not like other national park crowds during spring break.

once you get out on the trails you wont see many people. the only place you will see lots of people are in the basin on some of the trails in there or in the 2 popular easily reachable canyons (Santa Elena canyon and Boquillas canyon) and the hot springs. Other than that you should have a quite time out on the trails. Again you really wont see many people, but you will encounter some.

get an early start and you will be fine.

Ernst Tinaja is coolt o see in late afternoon or early morning, you will need high clearance to get back there, but NOT 4x4 required.

The rock window out in Grapevine hills area is lovely great for evening photo ops.

Sotol Vista is a favorite of mine for evening sunsets

the Nature trail in the Rio Grande village is nice for sunsets also

the  ross maxwell scenic drive is a nice place to be during sunset so you can capture the Chiso Mountains in sunset.

the Road to Rio grand Village is great for some sunrise photos of the Chisos

a week is NOt enough time to see big bend, you will have to go back MANY MANY times.

I will be in the park the same time as you hiking with another member on the forum here, Im staying out in Terlingua, if you have not made reservations some where by now it may be to late to get a motel room.

James

[chuckyd]

Lost Mine Mtn Trail...nuf said. 

[oldfatman]

  A couple of weeks ago I did the Persimmon Gap Draw Pouroff trail that starts at the visitor center.  It is easy short and interesting.  A seven year old would find it interesting without being too tiring.  Just remember that you need to take the left trail at the fork that is about 500 yards into the trail.  After that it is easy nearly flat walking right to the first pouroff.  Then an exciting but relatively safe scramble around to continue for a few hundred yards to the second pouroff where I stopped.  This is a great breakin trail for a youngster and to get my old joints limbered up. With a kid, maybe one hour round trip.

[jeffblaylock]

Lost Mine Mtn Trail...nuf said. 

Agreed. A must-do trail. However, if the distance and/or elevation change are too much, just hike it 1 mile to the saddle above Juniper Canyon. It's one of the best views in the park.

[TheWildWestGuy]

Lots of good advice here.
With a 7 year old and during Spring Break you might think of some possible alternatives that maybe the SO Unit and SO Unit Child might appreciate more than just hiking.  Such as....

The Park has 3 visitors centers with exhibits, AC/Heat, water, gift shops, etc..  these are at Persimmon Gap, Panther Junction, and Castolon,  most of them have indoor & outdoor exhibits, short nature trails, historical features, and picnic areas nearby.   I don't know that all 3 of them will be open for your dates but if they are you could easily spend an entire day visiting all 3 of them.   They do have a lot of good displays and information not just tourist stuff.

Be sure to ask for a "Jr Ranger" booklet when you get to PJ - free and your SO's Child Unit can earn a nifty ranger badge.

There is a big sand slide down near Boquillas Canyon -on the trail to the mouth of the canyon.  Bring cardboard boxes to use as sleds or just try to waterski down it.

There are lots of outfitters outside the Park (Stillwells, Study Butte, Terlingua, etc..) that rent cabins/rooms and have guided raft, canoe, horseback, and 4WD trips.    I would also recommend a trip to the old Terlingua Ghost Town cemetary at night with flashlights and maybe a short stop at La Kiva for some frosty beverages  .

Have fun and have a great trip but be aware this is peak season so bring a list of phone numbers and alternative ideas and plans.  Your cell phone will probably not work in the Park but there are land lines at several locations... TWWG

[fjc]

Wow....LOTS of good information here! Thank you guys so very much, I truly appreciate it. I am going to get a map and do some reading on all the places every single one of you have mentioned and try and formulate a plan that will allow A LOT of flexibility.  And I really like the idea about the Jr Ranger! Thanks TWWG!

[billh]

fjc, I hiked big bend with my kids from the age of 4 months until the age of 17 or 18. Junior Ranger is a great program. My boys loved it, well, so did I for that matter. A seven year old could do Lost Mine, Grapevine Hills, Boquillas Canyon sand, Santa Elena Canyon, Burro Mesa Pour off (top or bottom, top is more fun); burro Springs, Chisos Loop, Blue Creek Ranch, Sam Nail Ranch, and Dugout Wells. Finally, hot springs are a must do. Good luck, lots of good memories there.

[jr ranger]

All great advice, indeed. If I may please expand on TWWG's suggestions, there are a total of 5 visitor center's including the 3 he mentioned plus at the Basin and RGV. They should all be open at this time and remember the PJ one is relocated temporarily around the back due to the facelift. Also, unless it has changed recently, the Jr. Ranger workbook is $2. Yes, it is a motivating, educational program and the Interp Rangers & SCA's do a great job awarding the certificate and badge/patch. I was glad to see that many more programs for kids are planned for the future as I was glancing at the Centennial Initiative. BIBE is a great park for kids. There's lots of cool, weird stuff there!  

[TheWildWestGuy]

Thanks for correcting me Jr Ranger.  I am an old guy and commonly forget things.  I forgot all about the Basin VC and didn't even know there was one at RGV.  I thought the Jr Ranger booklet was free - maybe it was years ago when I got one or maybe I just forgot I paid $2 for it.  In either case it's well worth the $2.  ... TWWG

[Roy]

Just to trow in my .02.
They may be crowded, but consider Hot Springs for a quick dip or do the Sam Nail Ranch.  Both areas have some shade, and there's a picnic table at Hot Springs.
For some scenic susnset shots, consider the Maverick area.  The light off Tule Mountain can be really cool, and the badlands north of the road can be interesting.  You've got parking areas at the north end of Old Maverick Road and a couple of other places, and I never see anyone there.

[Still Standing]

Lots of good advice here.
With a 7 year old and during Spring Break you might think of some possible alternatives that maybe the SO Unit and SO Unit Child might appreciate more than just hiking.  Such as....

The Park has 3 visitors centers with exhibits, AC/Heat, water, gift shops, etc..  these are at Persimmon Gap, Panther Junction, and Castolon,  most of them have indoor & outdoor exhibits, short nature trails, historical features, and picnic areas nearby.   I don't know that all 3 of them will be open for your dates but if they are you could easily spend an entire day visiting all 3 of them.   They do have a lot of good displays and information not just tourist stuff.

Be sure to ask for a "Jr Ranger" booklet when you get to PJ - free and your SO's Child Unit can earn a nifty ranger badge.

There is a big sand slide down near Boquillas Canyon -on the trail to the mouth of the canyon.  Bring cardboard boxes to use as sleds or just try to waterski down it.

There are lots of outfitters outside the Park (Stillwells, Study Butte, Terlingua, etc..) that rent cabins/rooms and have guided raft, canoe, horseback, and 4WD trips.    I would also recommend a trip to the old Terlingua Ghost Town cemetary at night with flashlights and maybe a short stop at La Kiva for some frosty beverages  .

Have fun and have a great trip but be aware this is peak season so bring a list of phone numbers and alternative ideas and plans.  Your cell phone will probably not work in the Park but there are land lines at several locations... TWWG

This is great information to know for a newbie-Big-Bend-wanna-be hiker.  I was suppose to hike Big Bend last year but was talked out of it because of bad weather.  I've heard and read so much great stuff about BiBe that I really do want to hike it at some point.  Right now, I'm thinking over Christmas break or possibly next spring break (1st week of April 2009 for here). 

This forum is a goldmine of information.  Thanks to you all for your love of this little slice of heaven.