An End of 2007 Trip to BBRSP

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Day 4 (Dec. 29th) 5.5 miles
My plan today was to find the cached water and hike east to the Rincon campsite in Fresno Canyon.  My original thought on this route was to follow Arroyo Segundo, which begins near Javalin, and walk the arroyo all the way to Rincon Mountain.  Several days earlier Ruben and Tony told me that Arroyo Segundo gets treacherous about ѕ of the way down at Mexicano Falls.  I was told it would be necessary to exit the drainage at the falls.  A trail leads from the falls southeast to the Mexicano Falls Trailhead.  From there I could hit another trail and hike north to Rincon. 

The previous 3 days’ travel had worn my ass out.  The prospect of bushwhacking through a big ditch did not sound appealing to me.  So, I came up with another route, which involved simply walking the jeep road that runs mostly east and somewhat parallel to Arroyo Segundo.  My thoughts were that this more leisurely route would enable me to better soak in this land which is new to me without having to be constantly in route finding mode.  But first, I had to find the water.

Old ranch house and water pump at the Javalin Pens

I was so confident that I would be able to find the water in the daylight.  So confident that I used the rest of my water to brew up a big mug of joe.  It was a glorious morning.  The chill from the previous night was quickly giving way to warmth.  The coffee sipp'n was awesome.  I just sat there basking and feeling at ease as I cheerfully toasted bagels, drank my coffee, and soaked in the scenery.

Another view from Javalin

Before I'd left Sauceda Ranch several days earlier, Tony had armed me with the coordinates of all the backcountry campsites.  This information had come in useful the day before in helping me locate the Guale 2 site.  Just plug-in the coordinates to the old GPS and let it point you in the right direction...easy.  I'm pretty sure if I still possessed the list of coordinates, finding the Javalin site would have been a snap.  Unfortunately, I no longer possessed that list.  It must have blown away while I was eating lunch at Guale 2 the previous day.


I swear to God that I must have walked every square foot around Javalin looking for the campsite.  The only map I had depicting its location was the park's map of roads, trails and campsites.  This map seemed to indicate that the site was at the most a quarter mile from the Javalin pens.  After two hours searching, I never found it.

For about half a second defeat had set in - that sensation felt in the lower parts of your stomach, which is a combination of embarrassment and nausea.  Fortunately, the feeling lasted about half a second before being replaced by the emotion that came with the thought of a) a shower, b) a good meal, and c) the 7 beers I had stowed in the truck.  I outta here...back to Sauceda.

Before long I was whistling zippity doo dah out my ass as I skipped down the road.  My pack was light, the day was beautiful, birds were singing, and small desert animals joined me in a conga line as we danced and laughed gloriously back to Sauceda.  It was truly a sight to behold.

Look familiar?




Papalote Llano



As I walked up to Sauceda Ranch, I saw the first human beings I'd seen in 4 days.  They were headed out on horseback.  Wait...I know that guy leading the group...that's Ruben!  No!  No SAR!  No need to go looking for me, I'm back!

I let out a loud whistle (obviously I'm not dehydrated) and got the attention of the group, but not Ruben.  They all just waved and looked at me like I was kind of pathetic and maybe a little crazy.  OK...I guess that's not an SAR team.

Well, this about wraps up the backpacking portion of my trip.  Needless to say, I then bee lined for the showers, obtained a camp spot for the night, ate a descent meal, built a fire and drank my beer.

NEXT...I will beguile you all with pictures I took while car camping.  I might even bore you with some of the details.

[jr ranger]

Day 4 (Dec. 29th) 5.5 miles
Before long I was whistling zippity doo dah out my ass as I skipped down the road.  My pack was light, the day was beautiful, birds were singing, and small desert animals joined me in a conga line as we danced and laughed gloriously back to Sauceda.  It was truly a sight to behold.

Extremely entertaining! This one will surely get some votes in the chat awards. 

[randell]

I know the feeling of seeing Sauceda after a long journey!  Great read!

[Ay Chihuahua!]

Here are some shots I took while car camping.


Black-throated Sparrow


Longhorn


Longhorns


Hawk?


La Mota


La Mota Again


Sunrise from Pila Montoya 3 Campsite


The Rock Man in Upper Frisco Canyon


I call this one Big Bend Surfers for Jesus


Practicing Composition

[Ay Chihuahua!]

I didn't know you were planning to go that far down Tapado Canyon. Guale 2 was out of the way. I think I'd have stopped at Rancherias Springs, but that's not fair to say since I'm familiar with the area. At least you were on the most obvious section of trail after it got dark.

  I really did think that the route to the Rancherias Loop Trail was closer to Guale 2.  Oh well...live and learn.

IFWIW I bought a Petzl Tikka XP last summer for climbing Mt. Rainier in the dark. It's the brightest lightweight LED headlamp I've seen. They've been on sale for ~ $40.

 
I've always been a Princeton Tec guy...not sure why. 

Here's the little giant I spoke of. 
Princeton Tec Apex LED Headlamp

Here's the one that crapped out on me.
Princeton Tec Solo Headlamp

Here's one of the ultralite jobs I have two of.  Neither one works.
Princeton Tec Aurora Headlamp

So, why am I a Princeton Tec guy?   

[toejam]

A very entertaining report!

I hiked the north section of the Rancerias Loop on the 29th. You may have seen the footprints of the couple I met who doubled back to Panther Canyon - that guy had some big old-school waffle stompers. I did find a folded piece of paper with the campsite coordinates laying on the trail near Rancherias Springs. I gave it to my friend who plans to come back in his truck, since I don't have a GPS.

So how tough do you think it would be to hike into Tapado Canyon the way you came and hike upstream to the jeep road near Oso Peak? Was it easy to find Las Burrras from in the canyon?

[jeffblaylock]

Spectacular sunrise! Was that on the last morning you were out there? Amazing how the Big Bend area sometimes saves the best for last.

[Vince T]

Great report.
Loved your pictures...Rock Man is freaky but just the kind of thing I hope to find when I am out there again.
Vince

[xseption]

Love the photos of rock man and the glorious sunrise!

~ edd

[Vince T]

If you squint, you can see Rock Man in the sunrise shot too.
 

[jim2]

great trip report ! what a cliff hanger. cool photos. jim2

[Ay Chihuahua!]

A very entertaining report!

I hiked the north section of the Rancerias Loop on the 29th. You may have seen the footprints of the couple I met who doubled back to Panther Canyon - that guy had some big old-school waffle stompers. I did find a folded piece of paper with the campsite coordinates laying on the trail near Rancherias Springs. I gave it to my friend who plans to come back in his truck, since I don't have a GPS.

So how tough do you think it would be to hike into Tapado Canyon the way you came and hike upstream to the jeep road near Oso Peak? Was it easy to find Las Burrras from in the canyon?

toejam,

My appologies...I read this a few days ago and then forgot to reply. 

To answer your question:

It sounds like you're proposing doing a section of the hike I did, only in reverse.  If that's the case, then I don't think there should be any problem.  My only suggestion would be that you don't go the way I went. 

I'm going to send you a PM.