looking for Big Bend year end joinees

“I've posted a trip to Big Bend Nat'l Park. This will take place between Christmas and New Years. It will be a pack/float trip, so folks can come for one or the either portion or even both for a 8 day trip.

Who's interested?”

“How long would be just one leg of it? I will not have 8 days left by xmas, but I might be able to swing a long weekend.”

“Aren't you supposed to be heading off on a trip now, stikmon? Didn't it pan out? (if not, I'm sure you're happy to miss that snow!! lol)”

“Big Bend Nat'l Park sounds great.
I'm very interested and have been wanting to do this for a while. Let me know what days you will be hiking and I will put in for them. I have friends and family who have been and they all had great things to say.”

“hike Meet up friday night/saturday morning at an appointed area...Hike Sat half day, sunday, monday, tuesday. Wednesday pick up the canoes and hit the water for 3 days to finish up on friday afternoon. camp out friday night and depart on saturday morning.

Thats the plan, I will fill in details as I gather information...

Big Rob, nice to have ya aboard...if your not a bit derranged, you have no place on this trip...This trip is for psychopathic backpackers only...hehehe.

I have posted this trip on the trip page, so keep a lookout there.”

“Can you rent a Canoe in Big Bend or is it BYOC? How many miles a day are we looking at approximately? If you want derranged and psychopathic then I will give you derranged and psychopathic, I will bring my EX Wife.”

“please. and I don't have any more details right now...can't you read. sheesh...”

“and am hoping to make real.

Big Bend Christmas to New Years trip

December 25th thru Jan 4

Arrive in Big Bend evening of the Friday 26th.

Hike Saturday 27th thru Tuesday 30th. 3 1/2 – 4 days, Get back to cars.

The "Outer Mountain Loop" refers to the 30-mile circuit formed by combining the Pinnacles, Juniper Canyon, Dodson, Blue Creek, and Laguna Meadows Trails. Although you can start/end this trip in the Chisos Basin, Juniper Canyon, or the Homer Wilson Ranch, most hikers begin from the Basin and hike the trail in a clockwise direction. Sections of this trail are extremely steep and there is almost NO flat and level hiking. The loop takes you through a wide variety of habitats and scenery, from pinyon/juniper/oak woodlands of the Chisos, to stark and rugged desert in one of the most wild and remote corners of the United States.

Let's Talk About Safety Concerns along the Outer Mountain Loop:
Each year, park rangers are called to respond to multiple medical emergencies along this route. Most are the result of severe dehydration and heat stroke. Visitors have died here. This is a hike for experienced desert backpackers only, and would be a very poor choice for an "introductory" hike to Big Bend. Remember, this hike will always be there. Only after you have explored some of the other strenuous hikes in the park (South Rim, Marufo Vega, Smoky Creek, etc.) and feel the utmost confidence in your abilities, should you plan a trip across the Sierra Quemada (the burnt land) of the Outer Mountain Loop. It will take you a minimum of 3 full days of hiking to complete this entire loop. Side excursions to the top of Emory Peak and/or a visit to the South Rim will add a day. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight backpacking in Big Bend NP.

Cell phones will NOT work here. Always have a friend who knows your itinerary and will call park dispatch at 915-477-2231 if you are overdue.

Please do not attempt this hike during the summer months! From early May until early October, it may be physically impossible to carry enough water to safely hike this trail.

Regardless of what you may have heard from friends or read on other websites, water is ALWAYS a concern on this trail. Many hikers find that they are woefully unprepared for the severe heat, rugged hiking, and lack of water and shade along this route. The only locations for water (seasonal...do NOT depend on them) are in the Boot Spring/Canyon area, and where the Fresno Creek drainage crosses the Dodson. Other springs that are indicated on topo maps are very ephemeral and probably do NOT exist. Please do not plan on hiking this trail without first caching water at the Homer Wilson/Blue Creek Ranch. Store your water bottles off the trail in a location you will be able to relocate them. Do not store them in the historic ranch house.

Suggested Itinerary:
The following is a brief description of the most common itinerary used by Outer Mountain Loop hikers. It is our belief that this is the best direction and speed for attempting this route.

DAY ONE: Chisos Basin - Boot Canyon - Juniper Canyon approx. 11 MILES If you haven't done so the day before, begin this trek by caching water (lots of it) near the Homer Wilson (Blue Creek) Ranch. This scenic overlook is located at mile 8.1 along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Hike down the trail and hide your water jugs in a location you will be able to relocate 2 days later. Ensure that your name and the date is written on the bottle. It can't be overemphasized that stashing this water WILL make the difference between a miserable and stressful experience and a fun backcountry excursion.After your water is stashed away, head to the Chisos Basin Trailhead to begin the hike itself. Backcountry permits are required for all overnight backpacking trips in the park and can be obtained at the Chisos Basin Visitor Center (or any other park visitor center) Click here for current hours of operation. From the Chisos Basin Trailhead (elevation 5,400') hike up the Pinnacles Trail and its many switchbacks for 3.5 miles to the Pinnacles Summit (elev. 7,000'). Continue on the Boot Canyon Trail as it makes a leisurely swing into beautiful Boot Canyon (you'll know you're close when you see "Boot Rock" on the horizon). After one mile you will arrive at Boot Spring (usually dry). Continuing along the canyon bottom you may come to some stagnant pools of water left by recent rains (if any). This will usually be one your best chance of finding water anywhere along the entire Outer Mountain Loop (besides your cache at Blue Creek). Another 0.3 miles and you'll arrive at the junction for the Juniper Canyon Trail. At this point you will soon leave the shade behind and descend steeply 3,000' for 6.2 miles to the desert below. After 2.6 miles you will arrive at Upper Juniper Spring (usually dry). Past the spring, the trail drops into desert grasslands, and there are many nice places to camp. Backpackers must camp at least 0.5 mile from the Juniper Canyon Roadside Campsite at the end of the Juniper Canyon Trail. Make camp and rest up, tomorrow will be a rough one.

DAY TWO: Juniper Canyon - Dodson Trail - Blue Creek Canyonapprox. 10-11 MILESToday you will be hiking the Dodson Trail. This will be the hottest and most exposed section of the entire trek. Don't let the relatively short distance fool you. Most people that have trouble on the Outer Mountain Loop run into problems on this section, due to lack of shade, shimmering heat radiating from the barren rocks, and the seemingly endless climbing and descending from drainage to drainage. You will be climbing (and descending) 2,000' along the way, but the views can be spectacular, and the solitude is always mesmerizing.
Follow the trail from the Juniper Canyon Roadside Campsite through Juniper Draw. After 3.6 miles you will reach the ruins of the Dodson Ranch and nearby Dodson Spring (usually dry). One mile further, the trail crosses the Fresno Creek drainage. Besides your stash at Blue Creek, this is the only location along the Dodson Trail where you may find water (don't count on it). This water must be treated before drinking. Please treat this water as "liquid gold" for desert wildlife...do not wash or contaminate their vital and ephemeral water source. After another half mile, you will encounter the junction with the Elephant Tusk Trail. If you have the time, a nice 1-mile side excursion here will lead you into the Fresno Drainage below Tortuga Mountain and the possibility of more water. From the Elephant Tusk junction, the Dodson Trail climbs for another 1.5 miles to a high pass and descends into the Smoky Creek Drainage. Look carefully for the rock cairns that mark the trail through Smoky Creek. Be sure to watch for the junction where the trail leaves the wash, or you may find yourself hiking down the Smoky Creek Trail. Only three miles further, you will arrive at the remains of the Homer Wilson (Blue Creek) Ranch and your precious stash of "liquid gold". The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is only .25 miles away from this point. After rehydrating, continue up Blue Creek Canyon for at least 1/2 mile and begin searching for a campsite (remember, you have to be at least 1/2 mile from a road, and out of sight of the road). You are now literally "over the hump" on your Outer Mountain Loop Adventure!

DAY THREE: Blue Creek Canyon - Laguna Meadows - Chisos Basin approx. 9 MILESThe last day of your Chisos circumnavigation begins with the ascent up Blue Creek Canyon. The Blue Creek trail climbs steadily 2,500' for 5.5 miles and returns you to the High Chisos woodlands. The beginning of the trail passes in and out of several sandy washes so watch for the rock cairns marking the way. After two miles you will enter the "red rocks" area. Heavily eroded pinnacles of pink volcanic tuff look like a miniature Bryce Canyon. Soon you will once again reach the shady pinyon-oak woodland. Enjoy the steep switchbacks and the beautiful views. The evidence of the human-caused 1989 Blue Creek Fire is visible throughout the upper reaches of the broad canyon. Three miles after the red rocks, you will come upon the two Blue Creek Chisos Backpack sites, and immediately after, the Laguna Meadows Trail and flat ground.

The Laguna Meadows Trail winds around the western flanks of Emory Peak and offers nice views of the highest point in Big Bend National Park. After one mile, you will arrive at the Laguna Meadows Trail Summit. The Chisos Basin will lie below you and even the rooftops of the Chisos Basin Lodge will be visible. Sit and enjoy the view for a while as you realize your trip is almost over. Only 3.5 miles of gradual descent now lie between you and a cold one at the Basin Lodge Restaurant.
Congratulations! You have just completed your journey through a very wild corner of the United States. Chances are you met very few other people, if any. There are not many places left in the lower 48 where you can experience such a physical challenge on your own, unhindered by modern technology and noise. Park staff are committed to maintaining this area in its primitive state for future generations to enjoy as you have. We hope that your Big Bend visit exceeded your expectations in every way!


Float Wednesday 31st thru Friday January 2

Rio Grande Village – Heath Canyon (La Linda) (Boquillas Canyon) 33 miles

Rio Grande Float Trip Outfitters
and Equipment Rentals (area code 915)
Big Bend River Tours, Terlingua.....371-3033 or 800-545-4240
Desert Sports, Terlingua.....371-2727 or 888-989-6900
Far Flung Adventures, Study Butte.....432-371-2489 or 800-359-4138
Rio Grande Adventures, Study Butte.....371-2567 or 800-343-1640
Texas River Expeditions, Study Butte.....371-2633 or 800-839-7238

Depart Big Bend Saturday Morning January 3, 2004.

Well, there it is, I will get books and maps and other info. I will arrive on thursday nite Dec 24th or friday morn Dec 25th, I will then cache a couple of gallons of water in the above mentioned places. Anyone wanting to get there Friday nite...cool, I will be camping out at the start of the hike at the Chisos Basin Campground. I will post links to the NPS site and their maps when I arrive home.

get on the list, cause I'll keep individual emails cookin...email me at marclherring@hotmail.com

If I don't recognize your name or email or appropriate subject, then I won't open the email. Sorry, never can be too safe.”

“Stikmon, I have hiked that circuit before and that schedule is aggressive. The first day is entirely uphill. If you are going to go up to the south rim, you are talking an ascent to about 7800 feet. Crossing the "flats" to Homer Wilson Ranch sounds a lot easier than it is. The area is cut out by gullies anywhere from 3 to 10 feet deep that you constantly have to cross. This is compounded by the fact the trail is not well marked and you have to look for the points where the trail leaves the gulley.

I think making the circuit is more of a four day hike if you want to take any time at all to enjoy the desert.

IMHO, having been in the Big Bend 11 of the past 13 years.”

“ok, that sounds reasonable...I will restudy the trails that are on the NPs website, I'm also going to order the necessary books and topo maps, so that I can study the routes. Also, I am going to contact the park and some outfitters to find out info on my selected water route.

Give me a call, so I can pick your brain”

“Sounds like a tremendous trip! Missing Christmas with my family is not an option, though. Maybe some other time. I had never really thought about Big Bend before.”

“Stikmon, you can get answers to questions here . Jan, at Big Bend River Tours is a great person to work with.”

“How safe is it floating on the river what with so many "aliens" trying to get into the U.S. these days? In one Arizona park, a national park service ranger was shot trying to deal with Mexicans who are either trying to get into the U.S. or trying to smuggle drugs in.

Just wondering.”

“lizs, I have never encountered any problems there. The Rio Grande is about 15 feet across and less than 3 feet deep in some places. The "aliens" come across at will. The spookiest part is watching the drug runners out on the flats at night.”

“we can ask for free samples...

Thanks Chili, I'm gonna start to put this thing together. I've always wanted to go there, and now I have the skills, gear, strength and time to do it right. So I really want to plan it well.

The bummer is that I can't bring Khatru. Its a long time to be away from him. But thems the rules...

Hi Lizs...”

“The REI in Houston has several Books on Big Bend. If you need me to pick up some info or help in any other way let me know. My Email is 11wayne@quik.com”

“I;ll be contacting the park office itself...I like to support the parks and pick their brains when planning trips...they were invaluable to be in my Death Valley planning. I can't wait 8 more days and then off to my greatest backpack trip ever...5.5 days in Death Valley backpackin...stellar!!!”

“I would love to go to Big Bend if I could swing it...

I haven't ever done a trip in the desert though...if I am in excellent physical condition before this trip do you think I will be ok?”

“No. You see, there's this big bend on the trail, and it's very treacherous. Of those who have hiked it, few have lived to tell the tale.”

“hmmmm....

Ok, Thanks Mr. Smartie Pants (said with a deep British accent)”

“I have been there a number of years adventurist. The hardest part for me is getting acclimated to the altitude on the south rim...7800 feet. The desert "floor" is at about 3000. So those of us from flat land hell 500 feet altitude tend to pay for it the first couple of days.

In the desert, you learn to get up early, pack quick and hike before the heat sets in. I usually hike in the morning then spend a couple hours in the middle of the day in whatever shade I can find or create and then hike in the evenings before sunset.

During the time of year this trip is planned, the temps can vary greatly. Generally fairly warm during the day and pretty cold at night.

The good thing is that we won't be more than 7 or 8 miles from a road if something were to happen.

Mesa Anguilar is the most rugged and remote area in the park and I have only hiked it when I was with someone who hiked the desert far more often than I do.”

“I am hoping to go when YOU go chili.”

“Is Kevlar a breathable hiking material? I hear you might need that on the border these days. NG Adventure had a very good article a few months back on the Organ Pipe murder. Backpacker has an article this month that is so-so.”

“this sounds like a very fun hike and float you have planned and i think i definitely want to be included if you will have me. i have experience hiking in the desert and believe i could be instrumental in securing free drug samples from the runners. and, as i dont personally engage in recreational drug use, you could have my share.”

“Hey stikmon, did you get my email on 3/31? If not, I'm wondering if you ever sale sticks. I think one would make an excellent gift. dayhiker@tidefans.com”

“ This is why stikmon wants to go to the Big Bend. So he can drag his canoe down the Rio Grande.”

“Too funny! Actually, I thought it was because he wanted to get into a stare-down with a big kitty.”

“Perfect!!! LOL”

“why do they show a photo of a dry river bed. If they were gonna show the Rio Bend River, they shouldn't show a dry bed...thats not very funny. I wanna see the river, not some dry bed...I already know what that looks like.

If there's no water...no biggy...I'll hike the week away...jsut leave the bunnie at home...actually. I might just go somewhere else, so that I can bring Khatru.”

“you can bring Khatru to the Big Bend,,,his attempt to hump a coyote should be interesting...


the jail is in Alpine, we can pick you up on the way back....

;-)”

“big meeenie.”

“I hate it when the RIO BEND River runs dry.

Yup another birthday and ya can't associate proper geographical names with their real life counterparts.

heheheeee”

“lol,,,nice lizs, I missed that.”

“both of ya...ya can only make fun of me, if ya are goin on this trip...if not...phhhhttttt~~~~”

“this trip is on, I just don't know in what form.”

“watchu doin labor day stikky?

lower buffalo anyone?”

“strat, that is a possibility”

“i'm still mulling it over myself chili, but it's a definate maybe on this end. have to coordinate "the herd" , you know...”

“yep, same here”

“can my herd graze in your pasture for a couple of weeks?”

“nope, I have all that the range can support.”

“going to do a 3 day on the Points...I have a good friend flying in from Philly and picking him up in Memphis on Thurs night, fri after work we are heading out to the pOints and gonna hit the water on Sat morn...you all are invited. It ain't a far trip for any of you, considering I drive 5.5 hours to the Buffalo to be with you all...so get off the stick and come float a new river. One with water and current. Chilli...its alot closer to the Points than to the Buffalo...you all should come out.”

“I will have the kids that weekend, but I won't rule it out.”

“Dave and Polly will have thier 2 grand daughters and I will have Khatru...and then there;s me..."He who walks with Fire"...fun will be had by all...

Don't say no...just do it, and bring loads of awsome food.”

“here's a link to her site.

link

Jan is the person that I chatted with. She informed me that there will more than likely be water in the river at that time of the year.

I only need to decide on a route for the backpacking portion of this trip. She suggested something to me, I will research it and talk with Chilli.

Stay tuned...more to come...”

“stikmon, Jan is a true Big Bend Charm


Whatever else we do, we need to at least go up to the South Rim

I would suggest an overnighter up there, then back to the basin and transport over to the Grapevine hills for a day or two”

“If ya'll don't mind a visitor from the "other side" I think I can make this little trip.”

“Keep me in the loop on this...I may try to do this, and see my grandmother all in one trip”

“go and add yourself to the attendees list on the trips page, this way, you will get the semi-regular emails that I will be sending out.”

“Thinking about!


8)”