Big Bend National Park

“I saw this over at SummitPost and thought that Big Bend would make for a great winter trip. Check it out.

http://www.summitpost.org/view_object.php?object_id=274409&confirm_post=4”

“I spent almost two weeks in Big Bend just a year ago. Camped out 11 of 13 nights in the park. Very different from all the hiking I have ever done. Good memories.”

“my wife and I have been to Big Bend five times over the years and hiked all the old trails there. We usually stayed in Rio Grande Village by the river then traveled up into Chisos Basin for the day and hiking...great for winter excursions....helluva long drive from Austin....about 11 hours..........”

“I have been down there 7 or 8 times. The only word I have ever found to describe it is "majestic".”

“Magical is the word I would use. I've been there several times, but the last 3 years have made a pilgrimage to the Rancherias Loop during the last few days of the year. It gets in your soul and draws you back.

It's great in the winter (had snow this year around Christmas in the high elevations, but that is unusual), but draws a crowd for Thanksgiving and Spring Break.”

“Also draws a crowd the first week in November during the World Chili Championship”

“Is that contest held in the park or in one of the surrounding cities?”

“It's held in Terlingua. The "behind the store competition" is held almost in the old Ghost Town. The Chili Appreciation Society International competition is held at Rancho CASI de la Chisos, which is between Terlingua and Lajitas.

Dont make the mistake of calling either one a "city" though, lol.”

“Both are held the first Saturday in November every year.”

“I is a great place. I worked there last winter. Great anytime in the winter, but finding a campsite can be hit or miss in March, depending on when Texas' school spring breaks fall. I'd check that before you plan a trip. Other than that month, the park is crowded only a bit around thanksgiving and christmas.

Enjoy the place and drink lots of water!”

“So go for a week in late October and hit the chili contests on the way out. Tht wouldn't be a bad trip. Maybe the Titanium Chefs could enter their chili?”

“You have to qualify for the International Championship.”

“I was there in November of last year. Down by the Rio Grande river the weather was fairly mild, but not the greatest tent weather. We ended up staying at the lodge. It was pretty chilly in the mountains. A beautiful place though. One of my favorites.”

“What sort of temperatures did you experience? Did it rain? What type of equipment were you using? Bags? Tent? Clothing?”

“I have only been there in November and March. Temps ran the extremes. One year it was 80 during the day and in the 20's at night.

I suggest a tent. The damn tarantulas and scorpions would keep me from using a tarp. A 20 degree bag is what I always used. As far as clothing, think layers. During the day I would be in shorts with a light base layer shirt. At night I would pile on the fleece. However I have been there when the temps were never below 50. I have seen rain there at times. The problem is it might rain 50 miles away and the creek beds will overflow without a cloud in sight. Be careful about spending too much time in the low spots. I have seen it snow as well. I have not seen more than an inch of snow or rain during an entire week.

One trick I learned when the nights were so cold was to pitch my tent a couple hours before dark then spread a black plastic garbage bag over it to gather some solar heat. It helped. Also, I learned to break camp at the crack of dawn and get as many miles in as I could before lunch. I usually spent a couple hours in the heat of the day in whatever shade I could find until it cooled off some then put in another 5 miles or so. Water is scarce, cache it well and conserve at all times.”

“I had planned on just car camping there.Also it was dusk when we got there. I didn't want to setup camp in the dark. It was 45 degrees and windy at the river. 15 -20 up in the mountains. I have been packing in the Chiasos mountains. A very beautiful place. There is a trail that runs along the edge of the mountain with a 1,000, maybe more, foot drop for about 5 miles. Beautiful. Very interesting plant life. On top is pine forest. Semi arid. Not alot of water on the top. I had to carry water. They also have trails that follow the Rio Grande. River rafting the gorges there is popular with 1,000 ft. Narrow ravines which the river passes through.”

“There is a trail that runs along the edge of the mountain with a 1,000, maybe more, foot drop for about 5 miles.

You just described the South Rim. The most spectacular place to see both a sunrise and/or sunset, that I have ever been.”

“I would say it is the most beautiful park of them all. The Chaisos have an eerie mystical sense about them. I still remember the smell of the pines from that trip.”

“It's really strange. From the mesa floor, the Chisos Mountains look barren. However once you get up there, they are covered in pinon and oak. It is very beautiful.”

“First time I went as I was driving through a bleak boring lifeless sandpit. And I was saying to myself. What did I come down here for. I don't think anyone realizes whats there. I sure didn't. I plan to go back in the near future during the wet season.”

“One year when I was down there, I decided to spend some time in that area outside of the park. I recommend Ft Davis and McDonald Observatory. If you get the chance to go over to Ojinagua (across from Presidio, TX), there is a neat place downtown called the Bikini Bar. I thought...cool...and headed for it like a bee to pollen. The closest thing to a bikini were all the pinup posters of Cheryl Tiegs and Farrah Fawcet from the 70's. Beer was cold and cheap though. It is the only place I have ever been to in Mexico where we got so rowdy, the bartender got up and locked the door muttering "no policia".”

“Hey, what's Big Bend NP like? Could you recommend it for a bicycle tour? I am looking into a one or two week trip for me and a friend. We're both not doing a lot of cyling, so I am trying to find a destination were there is a lot too see, but isn't too mountainous.”