Big bend solo late February

[clrussell]

Not sure if this is the correct spot to post this, i couldn’t really find a trip planning section.

I’m planning to head to big bend in late February, more than likely going solo with my 7 year old. It’s his birthday trip and planning to stay 5-7 nights depending on feedback. Timing is late February.

I’m starting my research, and it looks like backcountry camping is first come first serve only reservable at the park office.

Is 5 nights enough to explore what needs to be seen at big bend?
Any hidden gems that aren’t known on the average google search?

Planning on running black gap trail, it doesn’t look to technical other than the one rock ledge area.

Planning to have my aux fuel tank installed by then, which will allow me to have 40+ gallons of fuel on board.

Hot spring along the rio is a planned stop, hoping it’s not packed with people.

Hoping to learn some camera settings to be able to capture some of the dark sky and land scape.

Oh and obviously I’ll be taking the 100 unless something drastic happens.

Pic for the thread.

 

[Bisho]

I recommend asking this in the club section - Texas LCA Austin chapter.

 

[Mike6158]

Not sure if this is the correct spot to post this, i couldn’t really find a trip planning section.

I’m planning to head to big bend in late February, more than likely going solo with my 7 year old. It’s his birthday trip and planning to stay 5-7 nights depending on feedback. Timing is late February.

I’m starting my research, and it looks like backcountry camping is first come first serve only reservable at the park office.

Is 5 nights enough to explore what needs to be seen at big bend?
Any hidden gems that aren’t known on the average google search?

Planning on running black gap trail, it doesn’t look to technical other than the one rock ledge area.

Planning to have my aux fuel tank installed by then, which will allow me to have 40+ gallons of fuel on board.

Hot spring along the rio is a planned stop, hoping it’s not packed with people.

Hoping to learn some camera settings to be able to capture some of the dark sky and land scape.

Oh and obviously I’ll be taking the 100 unless something drastic happens.

Pic for the thread.

View attachment 2855452

I've got a few zillion ideas. I've been making multiple trips per year to Big Bend for over a decade. Mostly for nightscapes and time lapse. It's not Utah The most technical road there is Black Gap and I had full size Toyota pickup follow me through. He got some desert pin striping, it's an interesting drive though.

I'm pretty sure I can point you to more things than you'll have time to see. Including gems. We'll have to talk offline for those.

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[clrussell]

I recommend asking this in the club section - Texas LCA Austin chapter.

Thank you. I wasn’t sure where to post. I’ll move there

 

[abuck99]

Don’t worry about fuel- there’s a gas station next to the ranger station.

There’s nothing technical in the National Park- some rough 2 track but hey you’re not going there to “wheel” right. The vistas and topography are unbelievable.

FYI- With the high number of illegal border crossings, we were told to break camp every day to avoid getting gear stolen. Especially if you’re staying in any of the camp sites near the river.

 

[G-Cat]

@wngrog has made 2 such trips

 

[wngrog]

5 nights is way plenty. Enjoy all the turnouts on River Road that dead end into the Rio. Food and fuel are in the park. I have quite a few writups. Search my name and Big Bend and read away

 

[clrussell]

5 nights is way plenty. Enjoy all the turnouts on River Road that dead end into the Rio. Food and fuel are in the park. I have quite a few writups. Search my name and Big Bend and read away

Thanks W. I’ll see if I can find them. I searched big bend on here with no great results although I’m sure it’s a well covered topic!

 

[clrussell]

Don’t worry about fuel- there’s a gas station next to the ranger station.

There’s nothing technical in the National Park- some rough 2 track but hey you’re not going there to “wheel” right. The vistas and topography are unbelievable.

FYI- With the high number of illegal border crossings, we were told to break camp every day to avoid getting gear stolen. Especially if you’re staying in any of the camp sites near the river.

Good to know on fuel, that explains why I wasn’t seeing much about fuel concerns in my search.

Correct, not going to wheel- going to enjoy.

I plan on moving daily, thanks for the info!

 

[wngrog]

Big Bend - Summer and Solo 2015

I don't post a lot over here but my tastes in wheeling and adventure are leaning toward overland travel more and more these days. Gone is my desire to travel the country searching the hardest rockcrawling trails. More, I want to see remote areas. Slow down, photograph, be isolated. I just...

expeditionportal.com

 

[wngrog]

Big Bend Ranch State Park MLK Weekend January 2017

Last year a group of us went to Big Bend National Park for MLK weekend and did a single day in the State Park Ranch. After getting a taste of the State Park we knew we had to get back and see more of this remote park that borders the north end of Big Bend National Park. Here is our trip report...

expeditionportal.com

 

[clrussell]

Big Bend Ranch State Park MLK Weekend January 2017

Last year a group of us went to Big Bend National Park for MLK weekend and did a single day in the State Park Ranch. After getting a taste of the State Park we knew we had to get back and see more of this remote park that borders the north end of Big Bend National Park. Here is our trip report...

expeditionportal.com

Thank you!

 

[Chuychanga]

5-6 days is perfect. You should spend a couple of those over in the State Park. It’s more isolated. Whether there or the NP, steer clear of the established campgrounds until you need a little civilization, store, restaurant, etc…. Actually avoid them then too and go to Terlingua for that stuff. The park campgrounds are mostly RV parking lots and tent cities.

Here’s a few pics of my last trip to BBRSP. The campsite was La Mota 1, north of tge Sauceda Visitor Center, deep up into the State Park. It's about 27 miles of dirt road to get to that area. The bottom pic was one of the Madera campsites on River Road, also in the State Park.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4501_0152aa.pdf

 

[clrussell]

5-6 days is perfect. You should spend a couple of those over in the State Park. It’s more isolated. Whether there or the NP, steer clear of the established campgrounds until you need a little civilization, store, restaurant, etc…. Actually avoid them then too and go to Terlingua for that stuff. The park campgrounds are mostly RV parking lots and tent cities.

Here’s a few pics of my last trip to BBRSP. The campsite was La Mota 1, north of tge Sauceda Visitor Center, deep up into the State Park. It's about 27 miles of dirt road to get to that area. The bottom pic was one of the Madera campsites on River Road, also in the State Park.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4501_0152aa.pdf

View attachment 2856143View attachment 2856144View attachment 2856146

Amazing pics. Thank you!