January 29-February 6, 2018

This National Park definitely makes my top 5 list! I really loved it and three days in the Park was just barely enough time to see everything.

On our first day we headed to the western-most point in the Park, Santa Elena Canyon Overlook.  On the way we passed the old Sam Nail Ranch and took a short hike to ruins from the house and windmill. The scenery was so beautiful, including Mule Ears View point (I think it looks more like Batman).

Next we went to the Cottonwood Visitor Center where we explored some of the old buildings and machinery in the area.

 

At Santa Elena Canyon Overlook we took a walk down to the Rio Grande River and saw Mexico on the other side.  I climbed these steep steps up to the top of the ridge and then hiked down to the river’s edge. The towering canyon walls on either side of the river were beautiful. I also saw my first roadrunner up close. So cute.

  

On our second trip into the Park we went to the eastern-most spot, Rio Grande Village.  On our way we stopped by Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry where you can legally travel back and forth to Mexico, as long as you have a passport of course. The customs officer let we walk out on the back porch but not down to the river.

We went on to the Rio Grande visitor center and campground where they have the only full hook-up campground in the park. It’s really just a parking lot and I am so glad that we didn’t stay there. We stretched our legs a bit and then went on to Boquillas Canyon Overlook at the eastern edge of the Park. We ate our picnic lunch and then I took a short hike to the Rio Grande. It was a steep climb to beautiful views of the river. Just on the other side was Mexcio and there were two men there with a canoe and a donkey who would come and get you and take you into this nearby Mexican village if you asked them to. I was happy to stay on the American side!

 

On the way back we decided to take a 2 mile dirt road detour to check out Hot Springs. I’m so glad we did because it was a really cool spot. The main feature was a natural hot spring next to the river. The water was 100 degrees and I would have gone in if I had my swimsuit! There was an old hotel and store there too that had been abandoned in the 40’s as well as some ancient pictures on the stone. The drive was a bit bouncy but well worth it!

   

On our third visit to the park we went to Chisos Basin which is in the center of the park. It’s high up in the mountain with tall pines and a very different landscape than the rest of the park. There is a visitors center, hotel and lodge but the main reason I wanted to go was to hike the 5-mile Window trail. I couldn’t talk Richard into going with me and I am sure glad I went anyway because it was a beautiful and fun hike. Unfortunately it was down hill all the way out to the Window and then uphill all the way back. The last 1 and 1/2 miles back were pretty steep up hill and I was glad to go and have lunch in the lodge with Richard when I got back. There were two park rangers at the Window who took my picture. I especially loved all of the steps carved out of the stone.

It was sad to leave Big Bend National Park but we sure had a great time there! It’s a bit off of the beaten path but well worth the effort.