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Author Topic: Climbing Casa Grande  (Read 1723 times)
Peach
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« on: June 06, 2008, 01:57:50 pm »
Need some advise/info from folks that have climbed Casa Grande.  I'm planning my Thanksgiving trip to BiBe.  My 8 year old and I go every year...tradition.  I've always wanted to climb Casa Grande but don't know how strenuous the trail is.  Is this something a wiry 8 year old could climb with me? 
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01ACRViper
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« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2008, 02:02:41 pm »
depends on the 8 year old, but be aware that it is a very very steep trail in places, a fall would be a very bad thing for such a small dude. i don't have kids, but i'm not sure if i'd haul my imaginary children up it
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RichardM
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« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2008, 02:05:26 pm »
Quote from: Peach on June 06, 2008, 01:57:50 pm
Need some advise/info from folks that have climbed Casa Grande.  I'm planning my Thanksgiving trip to BiBe.  My 8 year old and I go every year...tradition.  I've always wanted to climb Casa Grande but don't know how strenuous the trail is.  Is this something a wiry 8 year old could climb with me? 

She just might beat you up there (and back down)!  There's nothing technically difficult about it.  The only difficult part is the scramble up the talus slope (aka Jeff Blaylock Almost-Memorial Expressway).  It is, however, much more strenuous than any of the official trails in the Chisos.

Check out the Hike Casa Grande! and Casa Grande? topics for details.  
« Last Edit: June 06, 2008, 02:07:23 pm by RichardM » Logged
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homerboy2u
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« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2008, 02:08:47 pm »
Yeah, and see if you can find some maps, maybe a gps unit, eyeglasses,pieces of a denim short, hiking pole,probably a backpack as well...and some other stuff... it has an owner: Jeff Blaylock.
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bdann
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« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2008, 02:31:24 pm »
It's a great hike, Casa Grande is such an iconic symbol of Big Bend...great feeling to know you've been to the top....especially when you're enjoying a cold beverage in the Basin after the hike. 

Here's a section of the "trail"


...more


...more


the arch...


my brother up top....


me making my way up the scree slope...
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bdann
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« Reply #5 on: June 06, 2008, 02:32:43 pm »
and the definitive Casa Grande thread: http://www.bigbendchat.com/portal/forum/el-salon/hike-casa-grande-t853.0.html

(started by none other than THE Casa Grande...)
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SHANEA
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« Reply #6 on: June 06, 2008, 02:37:31 pm »
Nothing too it.  Ask our resident expert WL2 who seems to end up climbing it every time he is there.   icon_lol  He swears that "that is the last time", but alas, he gets roped into it again and again.  It is a spectacular hike.  Just watch out for the false summit...
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Peach
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« Reply #7 on: June 06, 2008, 02:40:43 pm »
Thanks for the information...she's a tough little girl and has hiked a lot with me, but think maybe I should think on this one. eusa_think
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“We either add to the darkness of indifference…or we light a candle to see by.” ~ Madeleine L’Engle

Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. Proverbs 17:1
dkerr24
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« Reply #8 on: June 06, 2008, 02:50:30 pm »
My kids are grown up now, but not sure if I'd take them up there at 8 years.  That scree slope sure looks like basically a controlled fall coming back down.  Would a 8 year old know what to do if she started slipping on the rocks?

Looks to me like one would want to carry an ice axe for that section of trail... that way you could stop yourself when you started sliding...
« Last Edit: June 06, 2008, 02:57:36 pm by dkerr24 » Logged
SHANEA
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« Reply #9 on: June 06, 2008, 03:04:22 pm »
Quote from: dkerr24 on June 06, 2008, 02:50:30 pm
My kids are grown up now, but not sure if I'd take them up there at 8 years.  That scree slope sure looks like basically a controlled fall coming back down.  Would a 8 year old know what to do if she started slipping on the rocks?

Looks to me like one would want to carry an ice axe for that section of trail... that way you could stop yourself when you started sliding...

Ah, just do it the Blaylock way.   icon_lol

Seriously, it's not that bad if you take your time and are not being chased by a lion, tiger, or bear.  Just don't take Goldilocks along and you will be fine...   rolling  she tends to attract them bears.    I'm afraid, more people would get hurt trying to use an ice ace than accomplishing anything... 
Just scooch down on your posterior...
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« Reply #10 on: June 06, 2008, 03:14:33 pm »
It's not a particularly difficult hike/climb to the top.  Yall could make it up there.  The views from the top are quite impressive.  Just be careful on the scree slopes and you will do fine. 

Plan for it to take up most of your day though. 
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bdann
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« Reply #11 on: June 06, 2008, 03:15:50 pm »
Quote from: dkerr24 on June 06, 2008, 02:50:30 pm
My kids are grown up now, but not sure if I'd take them up there at 8 years.  That scree slope sure looks like basically a controlled fall coming back down.  Would a 8 year old know what to do if she started slipping on the rocks?

Looks to me like one would want to carry an ice axe for that section of trail... that way you could stop yourself when you started sliding...

all you need to arrest yourself in case of a fall is your butt, though I presume Blaylock might have something to add to this...
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« Reply #12 on: June 06, 2008, 03:16:25 pm »
Quote from: SHANEA on June 06, 2008, 03:04:22 pm
Quote from: dkerr24 on June 06, 2008, 02:50:30 pm
My kids are grown up now, but not sure if I'd take them up there at 8 years.  That scree slope sure looks like basically a controlled fall coming back down.  Would a 8 year old know what to do if she started slipping on the rocks?

Looks to me like one would want to carry an ice axe for that section of trail... that way you could stop yourself when you started sliding...

Ah, just do it the Blaylock way.   icon_lol

Seriously, it's not that bad if you take your time and are not being chased by a lion, tiger, or bear.  Just don't take Goldilocks along and you will be fine...   rolling  she tends to attract them bears.    I'm afraid, more people would get hurt trying to use an ice ace than accomplishing anything... 
Just scooch down on your posterior...

An ice ax probably wouldn't help much with scree.  Kinda hard to punch it through to the dirt below.  My Dad at age 66 chose Shane's method.  Generally speaking, the smaller the person, the less likely they are to set off an avalanche (no offense, Jeff). icon_smile
...one of these days I've got to dig up the originals and re-scan them...

* bigbend5.jpg (47.48 KB, 311x325 - viewed 41 times.)
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badknees
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« Reply #13 on: June 06, 2008, 03:58:58 pm »
My daughter, Little GoodKnees did a Casa Grande climb at 10 years old. It all depends on the little one. I can say she recovered quicker after the climb than I did!

Go for it.


Here is a picture of Little GoodKnees on top after the climb

* _DSC5447.jpg (653.29 KB, 800x532 - viewed 69 times.)
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badknees
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SHANEA
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« Reply #14 on: June 06, 2008, 04:05:50 pm »
Not a hike you'd want to have to coax a kiddo down and I don't think Randell would want to haul his up or down on his back..

Guess What!, Casa Grande isn't going anywhere.  When in doubt, do something else.  Unfortunately, there really isn't much to do and see in Big Bend.  Every time I go out there, it just seems like there is nothing new and exciting to do.   icon_wink
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