Rainy days in Big Bend

[EdB]

I just got back home this morning from a week in Big Bend (and a day at Carlsbad after that). Apparently I bring the rain, because it rained on me every single day I was there. But that's a good thing, they definitely needed it. I don't have time to do a full report right now and I don't have my photos on my computer yet but I can tell you it was a good trip. I did my first trip to the South Rim (2 nights) and saw lots of rain and clouds and fog, along with awesome views. Spent lots of time relaxing afterwards and avoiding the desert heat by staying up in the mountains. I wanted to do a solo kayak up Santa Elena for a day, but with all the rain the river was up too much so I opted to skip that. I heard some people got trapped over there on Wednesday night I think - not sure if they got stuck in the canyon itself or just couldn't drive out because the road was flooded (probably the latter since there was standing water on it that afternoon and more rain on the way). I'll get my photos uploaded and a real trip report done some time this week hopefully.

Oh yeah, and I saw a mountain lion on the South Rim and 4 bears (3 cubs and momma bear) on my way out of the campground on Saturday. No pics of the lion and only a spectacularly craptastic bear photo, but it was cool nonetheless.

[bdhawk133]

You can't tease us like that!!!! Get to postin'!

[mule ears]

We're dyin' here.  Don't take too long to get that report written, especially the part about the lion.  Amazing!

[SA Bill]

Where, exactly, was the ML...asks the person planning a solo, no tent, over night S Rim trip in October??   

Pictures!!!  Please! 
   Bill

[RichardM]

Where, exactly, was the ML...asks the person planning a solo, no tent, over night S Rim trip in October??  

Doesn't matter. Panthers have quite a large range. That same panther probably covers all of the High Chisos as well as occasional forays down into the Basin. Just try not to look or smell like panther food and keep your camera handy at all times.

[SA Bill]

So I shouldn't use my steak scented deodorant when I'm up on the S Rim?   
  Bill

[RichardM]

So I shouldn't use my steak scented deodorant when I'm up on the S Rim?  

Just make sure it's not venison scented.

[SA Bill]

Javelina musk?
  Bill

[EdB]

Mountain lion was near SW4, like maybe 100 feet away. No pics even though I had my camera in hand and ready to fire. I saw it for all of a second, not nearly enough time to focus and shoot. I'm at work now, I'll try to get something written in the next day or two.

[EdB]

Now for the real trip report:

My only 2 trips to Big Bend were Dec. 05 and February 06, both in the middle of a pretty significant drought. I wanted to go down in summer and hopefully see some rain in the desert, and just in general experience the park in a different season. Definitely succeeded on both counts. 

I flew into El Paso on the 28th (Saturday), picked up my rental and was on the road by 11am. Nothing exciting about the drive except I saw a herd (flock?) of these south of Kent on 118. I’m thinking they’re aoudads but I’m not sure.




I ran into a little rain around Fort Davis, and there were severe weather warnings for north of Marathon. The area around Persimmon Gap looked like it was going to get hammered but I’m not sure if it rained in that part of the park or not.




Made a quick stop at PJ to buy a book to read at night (Lizards on the Mantle, Burros at the Door – interesting read, btw) and then headed up to the Basin to get a campsite. I decided on #52 in the no-generator zone. Lots of clouds rolling in, so I rushed to set up the tent before the rain hit and made it just in time. Score 1 for my first storm in the Bend. After eating in the Lodge and waiting out the storm, I drove around a little and then went to bed. With all the clouds there was no sunset through the Window but I did see this earlier:

[EdB]

I woke up the next morning to lots of fog. While at PJ getting my backcountry permits, the sky opened up and washed everything off again. I wanted some ideas on where to hike that day that would keep me dry. The ranger called around - it had rained at Castolon earlier and another storm was on its way, while RGV was dry but cloudy. I didn’t really feel like going down there, so I headed to Cattail Falls and hoped the road was in good shape (and it was). Unfortunately the falls were only trickling but it was still a nice hike. Tons of millipedes on the roads everywhere – I guess they come out after it rains in the summer.

Couple miles before Ross Maxwell:


These guys were everywhere:


Dragonfly at Cattail:



After that I just wandered around a bit, had a little picnic at Dugout Wells then set up camp at Government Springs. The Chisos were almost totally obscured by clouds so after dinner at the Lodge I went back to GS1 for a nice little sunset.






Next morning I got up, had a big ol’ breakfast and packed up for 2 nights on the South Rim.

To be continued....

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Sounds like you had a nice time.  Must have been a little surreal with all that rain.  I would love to see a gully washer out there.

BTW...I think you are correct about the aoudads.  I saw some at BBRSP that were book'n at a high rate of speeed right up a mountain.

[RichardM]

Cool report so far. The easiest way to tell the difference between an aoudad and a bighorn is the horns. Aoudads have scimitar shaped horns whereas the bighorns have horns that curve all the way around (for lack of a better description). Aoudads also usually have the shaggy manes visible in your pic.
Note: I'm certainly no expert on aoudads or bighorns. Most of my knowledge on the subject comes from park rangers and the internet.

[homerboy2u]

Another way to distinguish the Aoudad from a Big horn sheep is, when you get try to get up close for a shot...the Aoudad will actually pose for you,with all it's smells and all...and the Bighorn will go for your forehead....

[Ay Chihuahua!]

I also hear that if you are able to inspect the droppings of the two animals, the big horn is saltier.