Home » All » Texas » Big Bend National Park » Chisos Mountains Summer Rain

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain

The Plan

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain has been kind to the Chihuahuan desert in the Big Bend region of Texas. As of this writing, the Chisos Mountains have received 20% more rainfall this year than the average annual rainfall. This life giving bounty has resulted in an explosion of green. Water is abundant in the High Chisos Mountains and the desert flora and fauna have capitalized with an explosion of life. After many years of drought in the region, this is a welcome recovery. August was an exceptional month for rainfall. Ten inches of rain fell in this month alone. Having made two previous trips this year in June and July, I was compelled to journey once again to capture the results of this event.

Day 1

After making the long road trip on Labor day, the first impression of West Texas and the road into the park was wow! The desert was intensely green.

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
A Green Welcome
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
A sea of Green

On the way to Sotol Vista I enjoyed the quiet of the mostly empty park, devoid of visitors. I stopped along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and snapped a few pictures of Purple Sage – Cenizo. The purple blooms were evident everywhere. This opportunistic desert dweller was taking advantage of the water and blooming profusely.

Chisos Mountains Purple Sage
Purple Sage, Cenizo

Sotol Vista

The sunset at Sotol Vista was not spectacular as some I have captured in past, but it was peaceful and quiet. After sunset I enjoyed the slow quiet twilight drive back to the Basin and my camp. I popped up to the Basin Lodge and did a little Wi-Fi catch up, grabbed a burger at the lodge and headed back to get a good sleep after the long day.

Sotol Vista Sunset
Sotol Vista Sunset

My plan for the following day was a day hike to Cattail Falls to see how the Chisos Mountains summer rains impacted the flow. After that I was going to prep my gear for a three day, two night pack trip into the High Chisos. Sometime in the middle of the night I awoke to the sound of thunder and heavy rain on my shaking tent. The wind was strong, but the storm was brief and I stayed mostly dry.

Day 2

Cattail Falls Summer Hike
Cool and Cloudy Morning

There was water crossing the the road just before the parking area for Cattail Falls and I arrived alone at the trail head. Wildflowers blanketed the area with a splash of color along my path. After making the short hike above the Wilson homestead, I turned toward the pouroff and could see water cascading over the falls. As I got closer I could hear water in the stream bed about 400 yds from the falls.

Cattail Falls Summer flowers
Nature’s Blue – Commelina erecta L. (?) -White-mouth dayflower
Cattail Falls Summer Rain
Cattail Falls Trail

As I approached the narrow canyon, I could hear the sound of water, both from the falls and the wash below. It was clear that the Chisos Mountains Summer Rain had charged up Cattail Canyon.

Cattail Falls

Approach to Cattail Falls
Cattail Falls
Cattail Falls
Cattail Falls

I sat at the falls for quite some time enjoying the cool air and the sound of precious water. The wind pushed by the water was like air conditioning and after a time I got chilled and decided to move on. I headed back to Panther Junction and picked up a permit for 2 nights in the High Chisos. My plan was to leave the next morning and make the short hike to Laguna West 1 and spend the second night at SE 1 on the Rim. The permitting ranger was very forthcoming about the availability of water in Boot Canyon.

Rio Grande Village

After my permit was secured, I headed to Dugout Wells and then on to Rio Grande Village. I didn’t see much in the way of wildlife in RGV, but did manage to get a photo of the Common Black Hawk that nests there, but it was far away and not worthy of a post. Surprisingly there were a couple of sites occupied in RGV and a few campers at the hook-up sites.  I walked the nature trail to the pond, but it was bone dry. They must not be pumping any water to it?

The air was hazy and the Carmens were shrouded but still an impressive sight as always. I really need to get up there some day!

Sierra del Carmen
Sierra del Carmen

I headed back to the Basin and prepped food and water for the next morning and relaxed with dinner an an audiobook. My plan was to take only 3 quarts of water and replenish in the Chisos. I slid off into sleep, anxious to get an early start.

Day 3 – The Hike

When I awoke the next morning it was clear and cool. I hydrated, gulped 600 mg of Ibuprofen (knees), a couple of pop tarts and parked at the store near the trailhead. I was alone this morning and I took a slow approach to the hike. There was no hurry and I wanted to enjoy the hike. The Mexican Jays scolded me almost constantly on my journey and I arrived at the top of the Laguna Meadow trail and rested for awhile before making the final mile to Laguna West 1. I threw down my tarp, shed my boots and made a cup of coffee. It was 74 deg at 11:30 and I was going to rest awhile before attacking Upper cattail canyon. The plan was to check out the availability of water as far downstream as the dam.

Upper Cattail Canyon

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Coffee break at Laguna West 1
Cattail Canyon Summer Hike
Upper Cattail Canyon
Cattail Canyon Summer Hike
Tough going
Cattail Canyon Summer Hike
Cattail Canyon Dam
Upper Cattail Canyon
Cattail Canyon Summer Hike
Looking Downstream
Cattail Canyon Summer Hike
From below the Dam

 Reluctantly, I headed back to Laguna West 1 to get some food and a rest. I ran across this casualty on the way back. I smelled him before I saw him. There were no obvious signs of trauma, so I don’t know the cause?

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Rattlesnake Casualty

I arrived back at Laguna West 1 after a 2.5 mile roundtrip. It was a cool 77 deg at 16:10. It felt hotter from the exertion of the bushwhack down Cattail canyon. I was hungry and I fired up the Jet-Boil and tried a different Mountain House. The Chicken fried rice was pretty good, but the egg was a little spongy. Freeze dried eggs just don’t do it for me. It’s the texture. I also prefer the “Pro-Pak”, but couldn’t find any on short notice. This pack says 2 1/2 servings – about 700 calories. That might be 2 1/2 servings for a kid, but I had no problem wolfing it down and some fruit as well.

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Cool Mountain Afternoon
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Dinner Tonight

Wild Orchids

Dichromanthus cinnabarinus (Scarlet lady's tresses)
Dichromanthus cinnabarinus (Scarlet lady’s tresses)
Chisos Mountain Summer Rain
Dichromanthus cinnabarinus (Scarlet lady’s tresses)

Day 4 – Colima Trail to Boot Spring

It had been a long day and I slid into my bag early. I drifted off under a bright moon and slept a deep sleep in the cool night air. I awoke early, before sunrise and the sky was ablaze with stars, satellites and meteors once the moon had set. Watching until the horizon brightened in the east, signalling me that it was time to crawl out of my bag. It was a clear, pleasant 62 degrees. After doing my morning water, pop-tarts and Ibuprofen, I packed up and hit the trail. Today’s plan was to cross the Colima Trail to Boot Spring. I was sure that the Chisos Mountains Summer Rain had recharged all of Boot Canyon and I needed to replenish my water supply. I was down to 1 quart and I did not filter any from Cattail Canyon.

It wasn’t long before I reached the high point on the Colima Trail and started the downhill to Boot Canyon. I think the Colima Trail is the nicest in the Chisos after the Boot Canyon Trail. The Lower section was buzzing with Hummingbirds. I saw Rufous, and Broad-tailed hummers in large numbers. A few Lucifer’s were also present.

Boot Spring awakens from the summer rains

When I arrived at Boot Spring, I shed my pack and dropped down into the canyon bottom to check out the spring. There was water coming over the pouroff and the spring was pushing water out of the pipe.

Boot Spring

I returned to the picnic table for a rest and lunch and enjoyed the activity that is common around the spring. Hummers were everywhere. A Blue-throated Hummer, the largest hummer in the US, came in to check me out. He sounded like a Huey…Acorn Woodpeckers, Band-tailed Pigeons, Colima Warblers and lots of Titmice also visited me during my stay. You gotta love Boot Canyon! It was a cool 70 degrees at 10:00 and I sat for awhile before moving on.

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
A cool morning
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Boot Canyon Pools

The South Rim

After climbing a wet and muddy ascent to the South Rim, I dumped my pack, texted a picture to Mikala, and she was sad not to be with me. School first! I sat on the Rim with a hazy view of the Quemadas and took a few pictures. The Chisos Mountains Summer Rains had done their magic. As a result It was VERY green in the Quemadas.

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Verdant Hills
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Hazy to the Southeast
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
SE1 Camp
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Mileage and Weather Check

I shucked my boots and took a little power nap before heading back the 2 minute walk back to the Rim. I shot a series of hazy photos and watched groups of Red-tailed Hawks, Ravens and Vultures whirl in the thermals. Additionally a few small showers popped up in the desert to the east and the clouds were building all day.

Storms and Sunsets

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Desert Shower
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Did I say Green?

I headed back to camp for another Mountain House dinner and lazed til about 18:00 before headed back to the Rim. My site was visited by scolding jays and many hummingbirds while I rested after dinner.

Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Dinnertime

The South Rim

The clouds began to build around this time and I was captivated by the dynamic mountain weather. Look for yourself. Chisos Mountains Summer Rain in action.

Chisos Mountains Summer rain
Afternoon clouds
Chisos Mountains Summer rain
Rain in the near Future
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Small Shower
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Cow Heaven Mountain getting hammered
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
After the thunderstorm
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Oh so sublime!
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Even Better
Chisos Mountains Sunset
High Country Sunset
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Sunset
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Sunset
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Pastels
Chisos Mountains Sunset
More Pastel
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Is this real?

As the light dimmed, I made my way back to my camp. The serenity I felt was difficult to describe as I crawled into my bag a drifted off to sleep under a bright moon with the sound of a? Common Poorwill echoing through the forest.

The Last Morning of my Chisos Mountains Summer Rain hike

Chisos Mountains Sunrise
Last Morning
Chisos Mountains Summer Rain
Carmen Sunrise
Chisos Mountains Sunrise
Elephant Tusk Awakens
Boot Canyon Chisos Mountains
Boot Canyon Pool
Pinnacle Pass Chisos Mountains
Pinnacle Pass
Pinnacle Pass Chisos Mountains
Emory Peak from Pinnacle Pass

After a short rest I headed down the steep section of the Pinnacles trail towards the Basin. That section is hard on my knees, so I took it slow and enjoyed the scenery, the cool air and the sounds of birds calling in the trees. Before I knew it, I was passing the park water tank and slipping in behind the cottages and to my truck, parked near the Basin store.

Back to The Chisos Basin

Finaly I shucked my pack, did a mileage check and bought a bottle of Topo Chico and a bag of ice.

GPS Mileage
Final Mileage Check

After the High Chisos Mountain Hike

After a hike I always fulfill needs in a specific order. 1) Cold drink, 2) Shower, 3) Cheeseburger. There was no change in this routine. Firstly I headed to Study Butte and pushed 16 quarters into the shower and had 16 minutes of bliss! After that I grabbed a bag of salty chips at the store, caught a little fuel and headed back to the Basin for # 3 on my list. Later I caught up on some Wi-Fi and headed back to camp to prep for a next morning departure. The afternoon was a bit warm and I thought my chances for catching any more photos had ended. However Big Bend never fails to surprise and amaze me.

A Desert Thunderstorm adds to the Chisos Mountains summer rain total.

The clouds started to build over Casa Grande and a violent thunderstorm ensued. I captured these photos before I ran for cover.

Chisos Basin Summer Rain
Ward Mountain Storm
Chisos Basin Summer Rain
Angry Clouds over Casa Grande
Campground Canyon Storm
Chisos Thunderstorm

In this video there is a lightning strike at 24 seconds that causes a sound anomaly in my camera.

After that I ran for cover and the downpour ensued. Then we had heavy rain, marble sized hail (very little) and strong winds. The rain continued for 30 minutes or so and the skies remained cloudy for the next couple of hours. When the rain quit, I saw a single Least Sandpiper land on the road next to my campsite. This is a uncommon bird in Big Bend and is really only found by the river during migration and winter. I think this one must have been pushed to ground by this storm. Not a good day to fly! Finally with all of the rain finished I slipped into my tent for a good sleep in preparation for the long way home.

The Long Way Home

I woke early and packed out by 06:30. As I headed north toward Marathon the sky became increasingly interesting. I did see a Prairie falcon in the Marathon Basin, but he did not cooperate for a photo. Good to see them there anyway.  I pulled over between Marathon and Sanderson for a parting shot of Big Bend Country Magic.

Stormy morning skies Marathon, Texas
Hwy 90 clouds
Stormy morning skies Marathon, Texas
East of Marathon

Except for the drive home, my Chisos Mountains Summer Rain trip was over, but not forgotten. I trust you enjoyed your read. Leave comments if you feel so inclined.

Final Thoughts

For those interested in these things:

Gas was $1.95 in Fort Stockton

$2.67 in Marathon

$2.60 in RGV

$2.40 in Study Butte

$1.89 in Uvalde

Total Mileage Hiked – 16.30 mi.

Minimum Elevation 5345′

Maximum Elevation 7302′

Total elevation change 6616′

Elevation profile
Elevation profile
Google Earth View
Google Earth View

5 thoughts on “Chisos Mountains Summer Rain”

  1. Great blog! Thanks! Just visited the park and am already planning my return. As I have identified September as the month I want to be there ( for all the reasons you articulated) your photos and descriptions are particularly helpful. Thanks again!

    Danio

    1. Thanks for visiting the blog. Summer is a great time to visit the High Chisos and the Park in general

  2. Well done and well-reported! Couldn’t have been more timely, and just what I needed. I’ve been hiking and doing occasional research in Big Bend for 20+ years and I’m planning a two-week, 125-mile cross-park unsupported hike this winter to commemorate my 60th year. Water is everything in Big Bend, of course, and I found your post while researching recent rainfall trends in the area. As you can well imagine, it put a big smile on my face. Looks like this one will be slightly easier than I thought.

    1. Glad you got some info! That’s an ambitious hike, I wish I was a bit younger. I’d like to do a long one. My longest was the OML and some other 30ish mile loops through the Sierra Quemadas. Just hope the rain keeps coming until the end of October. Would love to see a trip report of your hike.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Scroll to Top