The Painted Desert

[tjavery]

Recently, I came across an interesting passage in the summer 2006 issue of Desert Candle: "I once trekked through the badlands locally called the Painted Desert in Big Bend National Park..."

This was written by Dan Flores in a piece titled, "Bad Lands", within the Desert Candle issue.

I emailed Dan and asked him about the Painted Desert. He responded and told me that it was the badlands area SE of Study Butte. He also went on to say that he published photos of the area along with descriptions of hikes into it in his 1999 book, "Horizontal Yellow" - University of New Mexico Press (look in the chapter titled "The Long Shadow of the Desert").

I've known about these badlands for a while now, and I've seen photos from the area. But I've never heard of them called the Painted Desert.

Has anyone heard this term or read Dan's book?

[aggiehiker]

I lived in Presidio in spring '67 and we used to go to BiBe with my parents. I remember that area being called the Painted Desert then. We used to take our time leaving so we could catch the sun setting and see the painted rocks.

[Roy]

I've never heard of the book, but I'd heard the name before.  Some of the formations around Maverick look a little like Painted Desert NP.

[oldfatman]

My memory of my first trip out there about 35 years ago says there was a Texas Highway info sign there that called it "The Painted Desert". Of course with age comes perfect memory of things that never happened. I do not recall seeing the sign last month during my roaming. I did remember (memory--what is that) the spot from years ago where I first saw  the painted desert from near the road. I guarantee you that is what I remember whether it is true or not. Have fun,

[tjavery]

Thanks, y'all. It would be cool to see an old photo of such sign, if it existed 

[Desert Rat]

There definitely was a sign on the road in the mid to late 60's referring to the Painted Desert.  The park used to have a lot more signs than now showing elevation readings and names of various peaks.