Big Bend: Big Country, Big Surprises ----- 2. What to Explore

There are simply too many choices. It is a beautiful park to visit, and all of the hikes are enjoyable. Visitors definitely need to allow several days for the park itself, since the best parts of it are spread out way from each other.

There are 5 visitor centers within Big Bend. Panther Junction is the park headhunters, while Chiscos Basin is the centered to most well known scenery, trails, also the one and only lodge within the park.

I did some homework before the trip, however modified a bit quickly upon studying the park map provided by the entrance station: I pick top visit spots from the map similar like ordering food from a restaurant menu: if they show pictures that’s always a chef special/recommend, I’d better not miss those signatures.

Here is a list I minimize down as Must-Goes, or I'll-hate-if-I-missed. There are numbers of other trials we've done and absolutely feel joyful and unforgettable. So please stay flexible, and go for your heart when you explore within and far. 

1. Window View. The easiest and shortest, is the only level, paved, accessible trail. It’s only 0.3 mile (all as round trip distance within this article), Rocks frame a stunning overlook providing an epic view of the signature desert landscape. It’s the best place in the Basin to catch a sunset through the window.

2. The Window is a moderate 5.6 miles trail right nest to Window View. It will take you 4+ hours, descends to the top of the Window pour-off. It is deceptive, so relatively easy on the way you going toward the trail end, but more difficult on the way back.

3. Lost Mine is a moderate 4.8 miles trail. It has excellent mountain and desert views. If you want to hike only one mountain trail, this will be the one I like to recommend. It may be one of the most rewarding day hikes, elevation gain of 1,100ft, comes with tremendous views along the trail and especially at the peak: abruptly levels out at the ridge with superb views of Juniper Canyon, Pine Canyon, the South Rim, and the Sierra del Carmen in Mexico. You will get a feeling like “I just climbed a mountain” at the peak as well as the end. Only thing to be careful is the horrible parking. Parking lots are so limited, and if you lucky enough to get a curbside space, a red parking ticket posted on window will defeat your happiness after you conquer a mountain. Park by the Visitor Center could be the only choice, but that will add you an extra one mile hiking along the road. There are bears on this trail, and I was foot away facing a snake over 2 feet long. So, please stay on the trail and be careful. I don’t hike when it’s dark, not only on this trail, on any one.

4. For canyons, I personally love Santa Elena the best. It is to the southwest corner of the park, it does take some time to get there but Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive makes the long drive quite enjoyable. Beautiful views along 

the way, multiple opportunities for stopping hiking or take photo.  Once you arrive there, walk along the Terlingua Creek and follow the wooden mats to crossing: we were lucky, that day was not muddy as some people complained. Once across, a gentle descent to the river bed where the desert gives way to a soft, lush landscape on a powdery little trail. And Ta-dah! Just magical! You are walking winds through the canyon’s incredibly huge 1,500 foot walls, along a big river by side. I absolute feeling dwarfed and humbled in a significant sheer scale of nature. This trail is easy, only 1.6 miles. Santa Elena is also a must for kayakers. You need to get permit from the park but overnight and multi-night backcountry camping trips are popular with kayakers here.

                            

5. Another canyon trail I enjoy most, is the 1.4 miles Boquillas Canyon. It located to the south east of the park. Begins with a short climb, then descends via a sandy path to the Rio Grande and Mexico on the other side of the river. Ends near a huge sand dune “slide”. Fun to children young and old.

6. Close by to the Boquillas Canyon, is the historic Hot Springs. Don’t miss the rock art left behind by human occupation from thousands of year ago, on the limestone cliffs along the river floodplain on the way to the hot springs. It was a former resort developed on early 1900, You can enjoy the 105F hot spring water year round on an old house foundation, right next to Rio Grande. It is very special experience since hot spring is warm while river water is cold. Two natural water bodies next to each other. There is no changing room nor shower. So plan ahead if you want to enjoy.

7. There is always a kind of Balance Rock in almost every National Park. Big Bend hides it’s own along a 7.7 miles gravel and dirt Grapevine Hill Road. The trail is about 2.2 miles. It begins an easy walk that follows a sandy wash through the desert, then to have to climb up a rocky scramble for several hundred yards, which is not easy. It’s very easy to reach the valley’s rocky dead end. Pay extra attention to the signs, and stay on the proper path.

To be continued... tomorrow.