Big Bend July 16-18

[wngrog]

5 am came quick and I was out the door and inside Mingo's Burrito's loading up on Chorizo Egg and Cheese tacos.

I wanted to be in Marathon for sunrise but all of the distractions along the way had me just north when the sky exploded.

About the time I saw a sign for 97 miles to Big Bend I started seeing deer everywhere.

After seeing quite a few nice whitetail I rounded the corner to a monster 6x6 elk. This guy did not stick around for pictures though. Unreal. I have never seen one this big outside a National Park.

Sunrise came in the perfect spot.

I just topped off in Marathon and took a walk into the Gage Hotel.

Looks like the @sleeoffroad bull bar protected me from this Bobwhite

I'm off. See yall in the park.

 

[ntsaint]

That sunrise pic is a great shot.

 

[cbmontgo]

Loving the real time updates. Good stuff.

 

[wngrog]

I made good time into the park. They views and open space is unreal. I passed 2 vehicles and both were border patrol. I saw some Javalina but they were too quick for me.

I am starting on Old Ore Rd

26 miles. Temps were at 66* at sunrise. At 9 am it is 83 and breezy.

 

[pmccraney]

Great shots, Nolen!

Having serious regrets about not making this one... I think I may sell a kidney so I can get a jump on the v8 swap for the 60.

 

[BMThiker]

Is River Rd West open? It was washed out when we were there and they wouldn't let anyone travel it.

The Tinajas I posted earlier are along Ore.

 

[MEMCruiser]

Will somebody please Photoshop L Chapo in the background of a Grogan picture

 

[wct49]

Will somebody please Photoshop L Chapo in the background of a Grogan picture

@BMThiker

 

[BMThiker]

Will somebody please Photoshop L Chapo in the background of a Grogan picture

 

[BMThiker]

@wct49 Done!

 

[ntsaint]

Nolen spotted him chasing the bull...agreed to let him tag along for the rest of the run.

 

[wngrog]

You guys.......

So, Ore Road. Awesome. Not hard but fun. Lots of different sights along the way as the terrain changes.

It is shocking that people lived and ranched here in the early 1800s

The trail was 90% easy.

This was the only shade I found all day that I could drive the truck under. If you want shade here. Buy an awning.

Like bad gravel roads. There were some switchbacks and a few small ledges but it was 4High the entire 27 miles. I think I hit 30 mph a few times. The shocks are simply amazing.

 

[wngrog]

The hike up to this Tinajas was crazy hot but 100% worth it

Sunscreen. Floppy hat. Camelback. All a must here.

Water is scarce here. They have had great rain this year so there is water where water normally is not in July.

By this time the temps were in the low 90's. After the hike my windows went up and stayed up the rest of the day.

This took about 3 hours with time to fly the drone (illegal in NPs), air down to 20 psi and do the 1.5 mile hike

At the end I took a left and headed to Boquillias/Cottonwood area

 

[wngrog]

After 9/11 the shut down the illegal crossing at Boquillias. Red and I crossed in a Jon boat in 1990 and rode a burro to town.

Today. They now have a new crossing. No telling what this cost us as taxpayers.

If you come. Bring your passport. Same boat ride but checkpoints both sides.

Doesn't do any good. These guys were set up at the Overlook and at Hot Springs. It's the honor system.

Hot Springs. Structures are still standing and the water is still pumping out at about ambient temperature when I hiked in.

104*

Border security LOL

 

[wngrog]

So at this point I decide how I want to tackle the rest of the trails without missing any or repeating too much since I'm limited in time.

I start off on 10 miles of River Road. Take Glenn Spring Rd north to the spring then dive down Black Ore Rd and out the way I came. All of the River Road section was fast and most of the GS was

Black Ore Rd upped the game a bit. Went from 1-2 to 2-3 level.

Did I mention that it had just gotten silly hot? The 100 hummed along cool as a cucumber. The therm was on 75 and it blew cold air all day. I did my best not to stall it out too much and to drive as fast as the trail allowed to keep air flowing.

 

[HFDPNL]

Great pictures!

I ran across this thread this morning and got really jealous....this would have been a good weekend for me to make it down there.

Are you camping, or staying somewhere with AC?

I'm trying to talk some friends into making the trip later in the month, but they are skeptical of the heat....the pool at Lajitas is probably nice...

 

[wngrog]

So Black Gap is the best trail so far. Of course my trail book has no details just says it exists.

Good enough for me.

Got a little sideways

I put it in low for this but no locker. The truck was hot hot. No reason to work it harder.

Spectacular views of Elephant Tusk from Black Gap

 

[wngrog]

Great pictures!

I ran across this thread this morning and got really jealous....this would have been a good weekend for me to make it down there.

Are you camping, or staying somewhere with AC?

I'm trying to talk some friends into making the trip later in the month, but they are skeptical of the heat....the pool at Lajitas is probably nice...

The only place it is possible to camp is Chisos Basin. I'm waiting until sunset to set up camp. It is going to drop 30 degrees in 2 hours.

I'm sitting in the bar drinking margaritas and looking at this hot blond

 

[SHUSH]

Great pics. I need a 100, 4 days off and a Midget tour guide.

 

[wngrog]

So the jewel of the day was Mariscal Mine ruins.

After Black Gap I circled back to River Rd headed east.

I will do the west section tomorrow but more in that later.

It was 115* and I had to hike again. I put a fresh coat of SPF 2000 on, hat, hikers and a full camelback that was sitting in the ARB.

The key is shade. I knew if I could get to the Mercury infested buildings I could get a shade. I seriously should have brought an umbrella. There is no humidity and a breeze so shade is good.