Big Bend National Park - Spring Break Run w/pics

[Rockets2000]

Got back Saturday after a pretty much TOTALLY EPIC AND FREAKING AWESOME time in the desert and mountains of southwestern Texas. My 41 year old frankencruiser performed absolutely flawlessly except for two minor issues - a lost body mount block that was replaced with a hunk of 2x4 and a ratchet strap, and a blown brake light fuse. I am in awe of the fact that this vehicle has been able to take everything I have thrown at it in the last week and a half, then make the trip home (10 hrs at 3000rpm) without incident. Here are a couple of teaser pics....many more to come!

Camp at Chisos Basin



From left - Bruce, Zack, Jason (stock tacoma), and Curt


Jawbone at Ernst Tinaja


Ruins across the river at Solis camp


Bruce at the Black Gap


Santa Elena Canyon

 

[ssichler]

Great pics. Looks like a interesting place to visit.

 

[Rockets2000]

More pics
Evolving sunset at the Window

Stealth tent at Chisos Basin

The trucks

The crew

Ernst Tinaja

Mariscal Mine

The Rio Grande as seen from Johnson Ranch camp

Sunlight and shadows at Santa Elena Canyon

Chillin at Terlingua

Prude Ranch in Ft. Davis

 

[Rockets2000]

The camps

Chisos Basin camp

Telephone Canyon camp off Old Ore Road

Solis camp not far from the river

Johnson Ranch camp on the river. It was an old air base back in the 1920's.

Chisos Mining Company Motel in Terlingua as already posted

Rincon camp in Big Bend Ranch State Park was somewhere down this river bed. We never actually found it...

Winding down at Prude Ranch in Ft. Davis

 

[SIZZLE]

Looks like a great trip. Got to add Big Bend to my to-do list. Cool pics, thanks for sharing.

 

[Rockets2000]

A few more of my faves

My 13 year old drove about 10 miles on Old Ore Road. It's mostly a rocky desert 2-track but there are some cool sights to see.




The Mariscal Mine is pretty cool too






The trail down to the Rio Grande. There were several spots where you could see that something/one had been bedding down in the tall reeds.


The Chisos Mountains from Johnson Ranch

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All,

Thanks for sharing with us your trip pics Rockets2000!

Regards,

Alan

 

[Michael Hanson]

Nice pictures, any problems while camping with unwanted guests? Mike

 

[Rockets2000]

Nice pictures, any problems while camping with unwanted guests? Mike

Not at all. We didn't see much wildlife unfortunately, although the Chisos Basin has bears and mountian lions (panthers). There are warning signs all over the place and bear boxes at the campsites. Once you get into the desert, snakes and vermin are the only threats. Common sense and watching your step will keep you out of trouble.

As for unwanted guests from across the river, we had no problems. Didn't even see a single person with a knapsack slung over their shoulder. Border Patrol is active in the park and regularly prowls the roads. An officer drove up to our first campsite in the desert and offered to buy my Cruiser. We met him at two other locations and passed him on the road once. Really cool guy. I asked if he was following us for any paticular reason and he said he was waiting for parts to drop off the Cruiser so my price would go down.

 

[fzr400guy]

My 13 year old drove about 10 miles on Old Ore Road. It's mostly a rocky desert 2-track but there are some cool sights to see.
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The Mariscal Mine is pretty cool too
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What size wheels and tires are you running?

 

[Michael Hanson]

That's reassuring ,been wanting to go to Big Bend but was not sure it was safe. I'm sure lack of wildlife is do in part to the drought. Mike

 

[Rockets2000]

What size wheels and tires are you running?

I'm running 33x12.5 on 15x10 rims.

 

[Rockets2000]

Looks like a great trip. Got to add Big Bend to my to-do list. Cool pics, thanks for sharing.

My pleasure!

I noticed your avatar. I had a t-shirt made like that in Daytona Beach back in 1980. Custom airbrush job. It was awsome.