Thursday, April 3, 2014

C = Canyon & Caldera Hikes at Big Bend

C

Three large canyons dot the southern border of Big Bend National Park along the Rio Grande river —the Santa Elena Canyon on the west end, Mariscal Canyon in the middle, and Boquillas Canyon on the east.  In the center of the park, surrounded by Chihuahuan desert, is an even more unique phenomenon--  the Chisos mountain range, contained fully within the park’s boundaries!  The Chisos form a 360-degree circle of 7000 to nearly 8000-foot peaks around an ancient volcanic caldera now known as the Chisos Basin.

After enduring one afternoon of mid-80 degree temperatures at our campsite, we were ready to get up to the Basin’s 5500 foot elevation to hike and cool off.  The drive up to these mountains was spectacular!  Hard to imagine that you’re still in the state of Texas—it looks much more like Arizona! 

IMG_9173IMG_9181

Most of the Basin’s hiking trails are around 12 miles and were far too long and difficult for the amount of daylight still left, so we chose to hike the short, moderate 1.6 mile Chisos Basin Loop trail which gave us some nice views of the 360-degree panorama of peaks.  These photos just don’t do justice to the experience of being completely surrounded by mountains in such a relatively small area.  This is a place you really must visit someday to see it for yourself!

IMG_4255IMG_4259IMG_4266IMG_9218IMG_0761

On another evening, we decided to try the 1.4 mile moderate Boquillas Canyon hike located along the Rio Grande river near our campground on the far east side of the park.  This trail first climbed up to an overlook of the river valley, and then descended down into the impressive Boquillas canyon.

We managed to catch the overlook at precisely the right time of day as the spring green trees along the riverbank were brightly illuminated for “golden hour”!

IMG_4032

Also a great time for Suzanne and I  to pose for some hiking portraits as well!

IMG_4028IMG_8895

There were some curious things along the trail, like these ancient mortar holes (believed to once be used to grind grains and spices)

IMG_4025

There were also a few spots along the trail where Mexican souvenirs were being sold on the honor system.  The park service warns people to not buy these (as they’re considered illegal contraband when sold this way—the more appropriate way to buy these items is to cross the border into the town of Boquillas and buy the souvenirs directly in Mexico).

We both wondered how and when the Mexican nationals ever came to collect any money left at these stands, or how they replenished their goods. Well, on our return hike back to the parking lot after sunset, we soon found out! 

A Mexican man and his horse were coming down the trail from one of these stands (clearly just having restocked goods and emptying emptying his cash jar).  We greeted him in Spanish and exchanged a few kind words.  He was obviously just a peaceful, young father trying to generate some extra income to support his family—surely, no harm in that!

IMG_4038

Boquillas Canyon, with its 1000-foot sheer rock walls was quite an impressive sight (we never did make it to Mariscal canyon, and I’ll save our visit to Santa Elena canyon for a separate post!).

Since sunlight was fading fast, I decided to sit along the shoreline, take some photos, and absorb the quiet solitude of the place.  Suzanne kept hiking further when she turned around to snap this photo of me along the river bank.

IMG_0487

Incredible to think that the shore just a few feet across from me was Mexico, and that this impressive canyon was shared equally by the US and Mexico!  Fortunately, Mexico has now made national parks on their side of the Rio Grande along the entire border with Big Bend so that these magnificent views can be preserved for many generations to come!

IMG_4057

 

image4

14 comments:

  1. Such gorgeous landscapes! I can get lost in them... Definitely goes on my bucket list!

    @TarkabarkaHolgy from
    Multicolored Diary - Tales of Colors
    MopDog - The crazy thing about Hungarians...

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love that spot above the river near Boquillas (8th photo) It’s been years now, back when travel across the border there was free enough that the people of Boquillas regularly came across the river in the evening to shop in the camp-store, but I used to go sit up there on that high point as the sun rose. In addition to tracking the light as it crept down the east-facing slopes, I would watch and listen to the children from the homes in the valley on the Mexican side as they walked the trail along the ridge in their colorful clothes on their way to school in Boquillas, the older ones making sure the younger ones kept up. One morning a gentleman from Boquillas was riding a donkey not much bigger than he was through the reeds along the riverbank on his way from town to the ranches in the valley, singing his heart out and calling up to the children the whole way. What a way to start the day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ah, the Mexico (and Mexican culture) that I love so much! What a wonderful experience that must have been! Today, the people of Boquillas have a very difficult time being 150 miles from the nearest Mexican city, and essentially cut off from coming to the US to buy food and goods. But even with all that adversity, they still remain friendly and welcoming. I wished we could have gone back to do the Boquillas hike at sunrise-- just too many other things to see in the park this visit though, so will need to go back!

      Delete
  3. I've never been to Big Bend, but my husband has ridden his motorcycle out there several times for the Terlingua Chili Cook-Off. He keeps telling me that I have to see it, and now I believe him. Thanks for the beautiful photos.
    Blessings,
    Linda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that Chili cook-off sure sounds fun! I've got some Terlingua pics coming up soon. Cute little town!

      Delete
  4. A truly gorgeous selection of images here for a beautiful part of the country. We have yet to visit Big Bend but after seeing this - yeah, I am pretty sure this has jumped up near the top of our 'must-visit' list.

    Just wanted to show you some support from a fellow participant in the A to Z Challenge, this is a really great post and looking forward to following you in the rest of the challenge!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Chris. Just you wait...the best Big Bend pics are still yet to come! I was literally blown away at its beauty and diversity.

      Delete
  5. Lynne, Your photos are stunning. Beautiful, crisp! Very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are the most wonderful tour guide complete with amazing photos. What a wonderful life you lead.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wonderful photography and descriptions that tempt me to visit. Thanks so much for sharing your travels!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lynne: These pics and this post brought back such wonderful memories of our visit to Big Bend last year. We walked that same trail and marveled at the mortar holes, and wondered the same questions about the little caches of souvenirs along the trail. Pretty remarkable that the honor system in such an isolated place seemed to actually work. Too bad there are these restrictions now, as we would loved to have waded across the Rio Grande into Mexico, as you once could. But this park is a really unique place and so exotically beautiful. We definitely plan to go back, as there is so much to see there, we need more time. So glad y'all had such a good week there!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Now that's the lfie!! Great adventure and photographs.

    ReplyDelete

Share Your Views!

Lynne's Camera Bag

Best RVing Stuff Under $50

Join Us On Facebook