Old Ore Road

[iCe]

I've got an '08 Chevy SWB Crew Cab pickup. Diesel (I mention that because The diesel engine / 6 speed tranny is a little heavier than the gas version). 4" lift, BFG All Terrain tires. Replacement bumper, no winch. Last month I entered the Old Ore Road from the Boquillas Canyon end but due to the lateness of the day (and the blurred vision from getting pounded by the road) I turned around and headed back to the Basin.

Questions:

(1) What is the Old Ore Road like from end to end?
(2) Is the first mile, from the Boquillas Canyon end, indicative of the entire length?
(3) Is it similar to Old Maverick Road or worse? OMR is actually pretty tame. I'm just looking for something to compare it to.
(4) Does anyone have GPS coords for the areas where I can actually see the old prostitutes or do they change locations a lot? 

[Al]

You should have no problem with your rig as described. Old Maverick Road is a superhighway compared to OOR.  There are some short rough stretches toward either end.  On the south there is a rough hill before Ernst. On the north end there is a stream bed or two that can be kind of interesting.  Most of it is easy driving if you watch your speed.

Al

[RichardM]

And as always, check with the folks at the Visitor Center for the latest conditions. Typically their initial response is very conservative, but if you can describe your vehicle, etc they'll often give you a more accurate description of actual conditions. However, if you come across as the typical tourist, you're likely to get the "4WD high ground clearance required" spiel.

[iCe]

Ok thanks. I've got a lot of ground clearance but at 7,400 pounds my truck ain't no Jeep (I miss my Jeep... that thing would go anywhere).

I can't help but wonder if the rangers ever actually travel any of the back roads or trails. I'm not dissing them. It's just that I've never really been given anything but an ultra-conservative answer. Maybe I look like a tourist  or maybe they have to be ultra-conservative because they don't really know? As far as the roads that I've driven on goes, I've never seen a ranger and dang few tourista's. Might be because it was in August? On the other hand, on my first trip, I met a ranger headed up Pinnacles with pack mules. He was going to service the camp sites. I'm sure that if they had their choice they would be out in the park and not behind a desk...

[Undertaker]

Rangers typically give the safe answer, still tell the rangers of your equipment and experience and also let them know you will be and how long you expect to  be there especially when few travelers are in the park, take plenty of water and be safe. make a trip plan, leave same with folks at home to notify park if you do not call them within a safe time frame. Take photos of your adventures for Homero and the rest of us. I am going crazy and need a road trip soon to the bend even if I have to blow out for a few days on my own. Always check in with rangers.

[iCe]

Rangers typically give the safe answer, still tell the rangers of your equipment and experience and also let them know you will be and how long you expect to  be there especially when few travelers are in the park, take plenty of water and be safe. make a trip plan, leave same with folks at home to notify park if you do not call them within a safe time frame. Take photos of your adventures for Homero and the rest of us. I am going crazy and need a road trip soon to the bend even if I have to blow out for a few days on my own. Always check in with rangers.

Ditto... Possibly next week...

I always check in with the rangers... better safe than ruining someone's trip to Big Bend with your rotting corpse I always say... well... not always... I think this was the first time... but I might start saying it... ya never know 

[RichardM]

better safe than ruining someone's trip to Big Bend with your rotting corpse I always say...

"Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms"

Remember, feeding the wildlife is prohibited. Best to die outside of the park, lest you get a posthumous citation.

[iCe]

better safe than ruining someone's trip to Big Bend with your rotting corpse I always say...

"Buzzards gotta eat, same as worms"

Remember, feeding the wildlife is prohibited. Best to die outside of the park, lest you get a posthumous citation.

 

[Sotol Vista]

I just completed the entire length of Old Ore Road all the way back in August, in my 2WD Chevy trailblazer with ZERO suspension mods or special tires.

Going from the south end to the north end is pretty mild from the start until about Ernst Tinaja. Except at the very beginning. After ET the road begins to get interesting in a lot of areas. but you will have NO problems in your rig.

James
 

[oldfatman]

I was told by a non-NPS worker that he moonlights on weekends driving the back roads for the park.  He said they try to get a representative  over all the roads once a week or as close to that as the weather will allow.

[Lorax]

Back country Rangers actually patrol the back country.  The changes / 'improvements" (how about the River Road of late) are to accommodate the Border Patrol.  The Visitor Centers have info on roads.  A tow off the Old Ore Road costs all the money.  It's nice to help visitors not get stuck in the back country.  The Back country roads are good most of the time but sharp rocks can cut two tires.  Both on the same side.  If you are prepared and informed you can have a lot of fun.

[Meesterjojo]

Back country Rangers actually patrol the back country. The changes / 'improvements" (how about the River Road of late) are to accommodate the Border Patrol. The Visitor Centers have info on roads. A tow off the Old Ore Road costs all the money. It's nice to help visitors not get stuck in the back country. The Back country roads are good most of the time but sharp rocks can cut two tires. Both on the same side. If you are prepared and informed you can have a lot of fun.

The River Road (We did the entire length last week) was cake-ish compared to Pine Canyon/Glenn Springs/Black Gap.

We used a Nissan Pathfinder with the shocks just tore all the heck and back, fully loaded. I'm not sure about Old ore Road, but it can't be worse than Black Gap or parts of Pine Canyon/Glenn Springs, and that said I'd be comfortable taking a 2WD down all the River Road. I've got some photos of the road from last week on a photobucket album now.

Here's the "bad" 1 foot drop off much hyped in the park:

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/meesterjojo/Big%20Bend/RREBigDropoff2.jpg