Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Big Bend National Park

I've been to Big Bend three times now and hope to go again soon.  For Arkansans, this is one of the closer big National Parks.  Spring Break is a great time to visit since the big parks out west are still buried in snow and the Texas desert can be miserable in the summer.  

The first time I went, I went on a memorable backpacking trip with my dad around the Chisos to the Southwest Rim.  We spent the first night in Boot Canyon where there is a seasonal spring that is popular with the local mountain lions and then made our way to the rim the next day.  The sheer dropoff and bleak desert scenery below make for an incredible view.   

The park has many other interesting features including deep canyons, the Rio Grande, springs, old mines,  numerous species of cacti, and tinajas.  I have yet to see the famous javelinas but hope you get to!


South Rim, Big Bend, Chisos Range
South Rim

Bird, Big Bend National Park


Canyon, Big Bend National Park

Sunset, Big Bend National Park

Blooming Cacti, Big Bend National Park

South Rim View, Big Bend, Chisos Range
View From Rim

Boot Canyon Campground, Big Bend National Park Texas
Boot Canyon

South Rim, Big Bend, Chisos Range John Chamberlin Johnnie
View From Rim

Deer at Big Bend National Park


Stars at Big Bend, Dark Sky Superstar

Elephant Tusk, Big Bend National Park
Elephant Tusk

Ernst Tinaja, Big Bend National Park
Ernst Tinaja

Headlamp, long-term exposure art. Big Bend National Park fun
Fun With Headlamps and Long Exposures

Rio Grande

View from Emory Peak, Big Bend National Park, Texas
View from Emory Peak


 
View Big Bend in a larger map



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