A fine November day in 2006 , found me on the edge of the South Rim Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. Rising to nearly 8,000 ft., the Chisos Mountains are a cooler and wetter island surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert. The view from the South Rim Chisos Mountains extends well into Mexico on clear days with the silver ribbon of the Rio Grande visible to the south. Hiking into the Chisos is even pleasantly comfortable in the middle of summer. It is an escape from the temperatures of the foothills and the desert, almost a mile below. The higher elevations are home to many species of plants that are not normally found this far south. Pinyon, oak, quaking aspen, douglas fir, drooping juniper, and ponderosa pine are some. Bear, mountain lion and rare birds frequent this region. Day hikes are possible, being about 13 miles round trip, but the to truly experience the Chisos, nothing compares to a sunset and sunrise from the South Rim. This was not the first time on the South Rim for me, but as always, it was an amazing sight.
