Anytime! I do the exact same I like to know what I'm getting into. I think I watched like 20 different Schnebly Hill Trail videos before I went in Arizona.
I just might take you up on that!
Thank youWhat a journey! Thanks for sharing
May I ask you what lens you used to take those pictures? Just perfect.
LOL yeah totally miscalculated. I experienced first hand "Texas is BIG!" lolol.You did Black Gap at night? LOL! Nuts man. SOOO jealous because BBNP is my absolute favorite place in Texas and is the FIRST place I'm taking my 2D Badlands when she finally shows up.
Everything's bigger in Texas, ain't it? LOL! I bet that River Road trip took you at least 3-4 hours.
I wrote a "First Time Visitors / Hiking Guide" to BBNP if anyone's interested - just hit me up!
Our shortest route to our campsite was through the Jeep badge of honor trail "Black Gap Road". By now it was getting dark so we completed the trail at night. While I love night rides, I would have preferred to run the trail during the day to take in the views.
First time I went, I stopped at the first Ranger station and asked how to get up to the Chisos section.
Wow very good perspective of what’s really going on on our boarders. Well done , the sheriff was a great teller . This needs to be put on national tv .
I've done almost everything in BBNP, and Christmas Mountain is still on the "to-do" list. Def taking the Bronco up there when I *eventually* get her. Nice pic!
Thanks for sharing. Love insider tips!Big Bend was awesome when I went. If anyone goes please also make the trip up Christmas Mountain outside of the park at Terlingua Ranch Lodge. You have to call and make an appointment since it's one way up and down. They'll give you a key to the gate when when your time comes! Here are some pics from the summit. (Warning: Non-Bronco pic. Not my fault that Ford has yet to build my day 1 res).
Anytime! A former co-worker who has some land out there told me about and I'm glad he did.
I'm interested
Just missed you. I was there the week before.Last minute my buddy and I decided to head to Big Bend and White Sands National Park over our New Year holiday break. Most of the country was in either a snow or rain storm, so I found the one corner where we could find some good weather and enjoy a bit of off-road adventuring. He hopped in his 4Runner and we met in Palm Springs CA.
The drive from LA took 2 days. Our first stop, White Sands National Park in New Mexico. Not a far detour on our way to Big Bend.
Reservations at Big Bend were scarce and for our second night we didn't have a place to stay. Most hotels in the nearby town of Alpine and Marfa were booked but we managed to find a place(not a nice place). We also managed to secure campsite for our second night in the park once we arrived and spoke to the rangers. Basics like Propane was in short supply in town.
Once we arrived at Big Bend National Park, we headed off-road on the Old Maverick Trail to Santa Elena Canyon. This was a fantastic introduction to the park.
From there we headed down river road west, taking our time to enjoy the sights. I totally miscalculated how long the trail would take and how big this park actually is. Our campsite was on the far northern end of the park at the Grapevine Spring, so we had quite a bit more driving to do.
There are private ranches in the park and spotted cows grazing.
Our shortest route to our campsite was through the Jeep badge of honor trail "Black Gap Road". By now it was getting dark so we completed the trail at night. While I love night rides, I would have preferred to run the trail during the day to take in the views.
We stopped along the trail and made coffee. Much needed to get to our campsite and setup.
Our campsite was a frigid 26 degrees at night. No campfires allowed in the park so this is how we managed. Don't judge my choice in beer. lol
The following morning we ran the Old Ore Road trail which was fantastic. I was taken back by how lush this desert is, many springs bring the landscape to life with color. The trail took us about 6 hours with plenty of breaks to enjoy our environment.
We then used the paved roads to head to our southern campsite at Cottonwood for New Years Eve. I was expecting the other campers to be in a party spirit, but it was fairly subdued with the highlight being fireworks set off across the border by the local Mexicans at midnight. I really enjoyed that
The following morning we packed up and took the scenic paved road to exit the park. At one of the vistas we met the only other 2 door bronco I saw at the park. Plenty of 4 doors out and about but just us two with two doors.
We then took the 170 Scenic Farm Road for a drive near the Rio Grande next to Big Band Ranch.
Even though I was a bit tired of desert landscapes having recently visited Joshua Tree, Anza Borrego and Johnson Valley, this park is a whole different ball game. The river and the springs turn the landscape into a desert jungle. The colors, variety, and scope is a sight to behold.
