Bronco Trip Meetup @ Big Bend National Park -- December 27th-30th, 2023

[Meraki Hammocks]

Does anyone want to meet up in Big Bend National Park to explore for a couple of days?

If you are new to the outdoors, or new to a slightly organized group driving experience, this would be perfect. No experience is required.

The basic plan is:
1) Use the Chisos Basin campground as basecamp.
2) Explore remote sections of Big Bend National Park.
3) Dine in the evenings at the Chisos Mountains Lodge.

Chisos Basin Campground
Several campsites have parking for two vehicles. Group campsites are also available. Fuel is available near the Panther Junction Visitors Center.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/basin_campground.htm

https://www.nps.gov/places/chisos-lodge.htm

Arrival: December 27th
Big Bend is remote. Arrival times will vary, so nothing is planned for this day. Walk around the campground and meet other Bronco owners as they arrive and get settled.

Trail Day 1: December 28th

• Meet in the parking area behind the Chisos Basin Lodge.
• Brief driver meeting.
• Head to Santa Elena Canyon. You will want to get out and take pictures.
• Drive the river road toward the hot springs. Some drivers may want to soak in the hot springs.
• Meet at the Chisos Mountain Lodge for dinner.
• See yellow trail on map.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/secyn.htm

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/river-road.htm

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/soakinthesprings.htm

Trail Day 2: December 29th

• Meet in the parking area behind the Chisos Basin Lodge.
• Brief driver meeting.
• Drive to the Grapevine Hills Trail for those who want a short hike to see the balanced rock.
• Drive to the Old Ore Road toward the Rio Grande Overlook and the Boquillas Canyon Overlook.
• Meet at the Chisos Mountain Lodge for dinner.
• See purple trails on map.

https://www.nps.gov/places/balanced-rock-trail.htm

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/old-ore-road.htm

https://www.nps.gov/places/rio-grande-overlook.htm

https://www.nps.gov/places/boquillas-overlook.htm

Departure: December 30th

Tips:

If this sounds like fun, be sure to secure your campsite at least 6 months in advance. As available sites reach capacity, the Park may open up addition camp sites closer to December 27th.

If you will be camping in your Bronco, be sure to leave something in the campsite that signals occupancy.

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[Meraki Hammocks]

It looks like June 27th will be the day to get your campsite reservation. Big Bend National Park is remote, yet the Chisos Basin campground fills up quickly. Hopefully we can fill it up with Broncos.

 

[Strizzo]

Sounds like a good trip, I will see if I can fit it on the calendar.

Do be aware that Old Ore Road is currently very rough and may be a longer day than expected, although there wasn't anything my stock lexus gx460 on 32s couldn't manage, just slow going.

 

[Meraki Hammocks]

Great! There are about a dozen people who have confirmed and another 100 who have expressed interest. See you there!

 

[Meraki Hammocks]

I am thrilled to see the interest that this post has generated.

For those of you who are going, you should plan to reserve your campsite this week. The Chisos Basin campground will fill up quickly.

For those of you who have expressed an interest, I hope that you will be able to make it.

In addition to the itinerary that has been posted, Daylon Walton has volunteered to lead a sportier trail drive combined with a hike. The Mariscal Mine hike will be accessed via the Black Gap Trail. Daylon has authored a free hiking guide for first time visitors to Big Bend National Park. This will be a good addition to the 2023 Bronco Drive @ Big Bend National Park.

The 2023 Bronco Drive @ Big Bend National Park will be a great opportunity to see remote sections of the Park with members of the Bronco community. Inexperienced drivers are encouraged to join in on the fun.

Most questions can be answered by reading the original post. Feel free to post new questions, or direct message me.

See you at Big Bend!

-Randall

 

[Chritaka]

Are GMRS radios req'd for the trip?

 

[Fordified1]

Is a Jeep allowed to join y’all who’s owner hasn’t received his Bronco yet? Lol. I would camp in Lajitas or Terlingua probably. What is the current count of those for sure making the trip?

 

[Meraki Hammocks]

Is a Jeep allowed to join y’all who’s owner hasn’t received his Bronco yet? Lol. I would camp in Lajitas or Terlingua probably. What is the current count of those for sure making the trip?

Yes, feel free to join us. We have all had to wait for our Broncos, so don't let that keep you from joining us. It will be a good time for you to meet other Bronco owners.

My brother will be joining us in his Rubicon to take pics and video of the Bronco Drive. So, you will not be the only Jeep on the trail.

As of now, there are close to 50 Bronco owners who have booked campsites/lodging for this Bronco Drive.

I hope to see you in Big Bend!

 

[userdude]

Yes, feel free to join us. We have all had to wait for our Broncos, so don't let that keep you from joining us. It will be a good time for you to meet other Bronco owners.

My brother will be joining us in his Rubicon to take pics and video of the Bronco Drive. So, you will not be the only Jeep on the trail.

As of now, there are close to 50 Bronco owners who have booked campsites/lodging for this Bronco Drive.

I hope to see you in Big Bend!

50! Wow, that's nice. I wish I could make it, but I can't take any more time off for a few months. Too much off roading already!

Had no idea there was a thread, just the Central Texas Club posting. When that never got any replies from you, I had thought you'd decided not to do the trip. I don't know if you've looked at that lately. @Draughon has been active on that posting.

 

[userdude]

Are GMRS radios req'd for the trip?

I would definitely go out there with two GMRS radios that you can plug in and charge in your vehicle.

 

[Meraki Hammocks]

50! Wow, that's nice. I wish I could make it, but I can't take any more time off for a few months. Too much off roading already!

Had no idea there was a thread, just the Central Texas Club posting. When that never got any replies from you, I had thought you'd decided not to do the trip. I don't know if you've looked at that lately. @Draughon has been active on that posting.

Thanks for letting me know. I'll see if I can find it. I post updates here, Bronco Nation, and my Facebook page Meraki Hammocks.

Too bad you can't make this one. There were 4 of us last year. When I decide on next year's location, I will post it on my Facebook page.

 

[Fordified1]

Thanks for letting me know. I'll see if I can find it. I post updates here, Bronco Nation, and my Facebook page Meraki Hammocks.

Too bad you can't make this one. There were 4 of us last year. When I decide on next year's location, I will post it on my Facebook page.

Where did y’all go last year?

 

[Meraki Hammocks]

BBNP. Slight variance of the same trails.

 

[focaloca95]

Does anyone want to meet up in Big Bend National Park to explore for a couple of days?

If you are new to the outdoors, or new to a slightly organized group driving experience, this would be perfect. No experience is required.

The basic plan is:
1) Use the Chisos Basin campground as basecamp.
2) Explore remote sections of Big Bend National Park.
3) Dine in the evenings at the Chisos Mountains Lodge.

Chisos Basin Campground
Several campsites have parking for two vehicles. Group campsites are also available. Fuel is available near the Panther Junction Visitors Center.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/basin_campground.htm

https://www.nps.gov/places/chisos-lodge.htm

Arrival: December 27th
Big Bend is remote. Arrival times will vary, so nothing is planned for this day. Walk around the campground and meet other Bronco owners as they arrive and get settled.

Trail Day 1: December 28th

• Meet in the parking area behind the Chisos Basin Lodge.
• Brief driver meeting.
• Head to Santa Elena Canyon. You will want to get out and take pictures.
• Drive the river road toward the hot springs. Some drivers may want to soak in the hot springs.
• Meet at the Chisos Mountain Lodge for dinner.
• See yellow trail on map.

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/secyn.htm

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/river-road.htm

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/soakinthesprings.htm

Trail Day 2: December 29th

• Meet in the parking area behind the Chisos Basin Lodge.
• Brief driver meeting.
• Drive to the Grapevine Hills Trail for those who want a short hike to see the balanced rock.
• Drive to the Old Ore Road toward the Rio Grande Overlook and the Boquillas Canyon Overlook.
• Meet at the Chisos Mountain Lodge for dinner.
• See purple trails on map.

https://www.nps.gov/places/balanced-rock-trail.htm

https://www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisit/old-ore-road.htm

https://www.nps.gov/places/rio-grande-overlook.htm

https://www.nps.gov/places/boquillas-overlook.htm

Departure: December 30th

Tips:

If this sounds like fun, be sure to secure your campsite at least 6 months in advance. As available sites reach capacity, the Park may open up addition camp sites closer to December 27th.

If you will be camping in your Bronco, be sure to leave something in the campsite that signals occupancy.

What time should we be at the parking lot meetup area each day?

 

[Meraki Hammocks]

What time should we be at the parking lot meetup area each day?

Thanks for your question. I think that you should plan to be parked in the Chisos Basis Lodge parking area by 7:30am.

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