SKY ISLANDS: Maderas de El Carmen, MEXICO !!!

[homerboy2u]

Thanks for putting all that work into posting all of those pictures  They were great! I have always wondered, while looking up from the desert floor of BiBe, what those Mountains looked like from the Mexico side. Just curious, what was the average temp. while you were on your trip?

 Hey Texan4life: To start, i like your nick, sounds honest and sincere.

Yes, when we went up there it was back on February/06 . The temperature ranged in the morning down to a 2°C (36°F) then in the middle of the day it went up to 18°C (65°F) but  at night: Brrrrr :!:  :!:  :!: ... -5°C (32°F). And the winds up in Sierra del Carmen was blowing all day , at a steady 50 MPH (80 KPH). We had GPSґs, wind meters, and digital thermometers with us.

 And thatґs just the Del Carmenґs . Iґm not even considering Maderas Del Carmen (The Sky Islands). we were at 2190 mts . Over in Maderas they are at 2700 mts above sea level (9000 ft.). We can only imagine....Brrrr :!:  :!:

[homerboy2u]

I don't know why i didn't upload this photo. This is exactly the route plotted after one of my friends downloaded it to Google mapping. There is a " Y " intersection along our trip, but thats where we took the detour to go to the Del Carmen, afterwards we went over to Jaboncillos and Boquillas villages to say hello to some friends of ours.

[Texan4life]

Its sounds like that was a great trip, thanks for all the info.

[Vince T]

Those pictures were fantastic...what a great way to start me day...thanks for sharing.

Vince

[Ray52]

back on February/06 . The temperature ranged in the morning down to a 2°C (36°F)

Homer, I spent my first night in the park in February in the camper shell on my truck.  I woke up around 4 AM to grab more blankets.  My digital read out said either 26 or 28 degrees F     I can't say for sure, but what's 2 degrees when you're freezing?  Fortunately as I was spending the next 2 days and nights on the trail, the new day and following week brought much more reasonable temperatures

[Al]

Where does one get in and out of Mexico?  Back in the old days we used to cross at Boquillas.

Al

[RichardM]

Where does one get in and out of Mexico?  Back in the old days we used to cross at Boquillas.

If you want to be legal, you'll have to head to Presidio or Del Rio.  See http://www.nps.gov/bibe/dailyreport/bordersituation.htm.

[Al]

It's a major deal just to get there now.  

It would be a bigger drive to get there than the del Carmen trip itself, or am I missing something?   :oops:

Al

[homerboy2u]

back on February/06 . The temperature ranged in the morning down to a 2°C (36°F)

Homer, I spent my first night in the park in February in the camper shell on my truck.  I woke up around 4 AM to grab more blankets.  My digital read out said either 26 or 28 degrees F     I can't say for sure, but what's 2 degrees when you're freezing?  Fortunately as I was spending the next 2 days and nights on the trail, the new day and following week brought much more reasonable temperatures

 Val....I'm sorry (force of habit) Ray: That is so true. when you hit 2C, i deg. less hits the same spot.

Vince & Texan....Anytime, wish you could have come with us to share the experience.

Al...pay attention to the infalilible Moderator: Unless coming in illegal. Would have to be Presidio , Del RIo or Piedras Negras: where I live.

[Al]

How long a drive is it?

Al

[SHANEA]

How long a drive is it?  Al

FOREVER

Write your US Congressman and Senator about opening up the border @ BIBE and at the La Linda bridge.  Nothing can be done at the state level, it's a national issue.  They need to put some checkpoint charlies up - heck we got the National Guard now out there, let them man the checkpoints.  

[Al]

it ain't going to happen.  I understand that if one is canoeing down the Rio Grande in Boquillas Canyon one can camp in the canyon on the Mexican side without threat of a $5,000 fine and having to abandon the canoe and somehow travel across the desert to a legal crossing to get back in the US of A.

Does anyone know if this is right?  One can only hope . . .

Al

[Desert Rat]

Outstanding pictures Homero.  Many thanks.

[homerboy2u]

Al: 8-10 Hours to get there. And you need a good 4x4 vehicle. Best chance of crossing over, is what Shane says: write your politicians in Washington.

DR: I knew you were going to like it.

[Windchime]

it ain't going to happen.  I understand that if one is canoeing down the Rio Grande in Boquillas Canyon one can camp in the canyon on the Mexican side without threat of a $5,000 fine and having to abandon the canoe and somehow travel across the desert to a legal crossing to get back in the US of A.

Does anyone know if this is right?  One can only hope . . .

Al

My understanding is that when you get your river permit, the park will also give you a Customs Declaration Sheet which you are to complete at the end of the trip and mail to the legal port of entry. While floating the canyon you are allowed to camp on the Mexican side and even explore the side canyons. The theory being that you are not going to climb up out of the canyon to explore into Mexico. This is an arrangement the park worked out with Customs shortly after the border closings. If you float with an outfitter, they will have you complete the Declaration at the end of the trip.