Big Bend Summer 2009 Day 5 started as an easy morning with breakfast of S&E tacos. We planned to drive down to the West Entrance Rd. near the Maverick Rd. Entrance Station and hike in toward Tinaja Spring. We planned to follow the dike which comes close to the road, to a point as far North as the rapidly rising temperatures would allow. The beginning elevation of the hike was about 2920′ and we knew it was going to be a hot hike.
The dike is visible from the road if you are looking for it and about 1/4 mile of easy walking through scattered ocotillo and creosote put us on the exposed top of the volcanic dike. We followed the top of the dike until it dropped into a wash that bisected the dike about 1/2 mile from the road.
At this point we backtracked to find a way into this wash and then climbed down some brightly colored clay hills.
We worked our way around to the split in the dike and rested in the shade of the volcanic wall.
We explored around the area for a short while, but it was getting hot quick and we wanted to head into SB for a shower, ride through Terlingua, and drive the Camino Real toward Presidio for an eventual lunch along the Frontera.
We didn’t get to see as much of this area as I would have liked, but an extended exploration was better suited for a cooler season hike. Rough Run is on my list for the cool season as this is a starkly beautiful area especially in the early morning and late afternoon light.
-Full sized pano of the area
A quick $2.00 shower and we off through Terlingua. It was hot and quiet hardly a soul stirring in the midday heat.
We headed west up the Camino Real and stopped along the way for photos until we reached Presidio.
We had a pretty decent meal at the El Patio Restaurant on the main drag in Presidio before heading back to the park.
The recent rains made a few low water crossings a bit muddy.
Still trying to figure out what this is crossing the river, but I sure one of you will be able to tell me.
El Contrabando
We ended back in the Basin and caught a ranger presentation in the Ampitheater- Big Bend during the last Ice Age – very informative.
Moon rising behind Casa Grande
With Big Bend Summer 2009 Day 5 coming to an end. we made plans to day hike to Boot Spring in the morning.