Blitz Big Bend Road Trip-Labor Day 2009

[venchka]

Posted in a Parallel Universe on Al Gore's Internet.

What help can you give me for this hair brained idea?

I have been putting off going to Big Bend since forever. I always went north to the Rockies. Mapquest is telling me that Big Bend N.P. is only 575 miles and 10 hours driving time from my office. I'm looking at the calendar and either July 4 or Labor Day long weekends look good. I could leave after work on Thursday and arrive back at work on Tueaday.

I know that's summer. I know the Chisos Basin is high enough to kinda sorta maybe moderate the heat. I will be self-contained. I will be prepared to hike to the first backcountry campsite I find empty. I want to know what the crowds, if any, are like then. Is the place deserted in the summer? Even on long holiday weekends?

Blitz Big Bend Road Trip:

Plan A:

Depart after work (latest 7pm) on Thursday July 2.
Arrive Big Bend in time for sunrise photo opportunities.
Depart Big Bend Monday July 6 after sunset photo opportunities.
Arrive Houston Tuesday July 7 in time for work.

Plan B:

Depart after work Thursday Sept. 3.
Same as above.
Return Houston Tuesday Sept. 8.

Give it to straight. Go? No go?

Thanks!

Wayne

[Matt Magruder]

Ive been out there in July before Wayne.
If you can deal with Houston in July. You can easily deal with BB in July.
Its not bad, just be prepared to sweat alot and smell like shit.

I have yet to go out there during a time period in which is WASN'T gorgeous and photogenic.

[venchka]

Thanks Matt. Was it crowded in July? I know that is probably a stupid question.

[venchka]

CORRECTION: The trip would have to take place over the Labor Day weekend.

What should I expect Labor Day weekend in Big Bend?

[Nathan Potter]

July is not busy at all due to the furnace like heat (up to 125 F in the shade along the river). Labor day is busier but due to the persistent heat (can be 115 F in the shade) people are not out and about so much. Oct. Nov. and Mar. Apr. are reasonable.

My last August trip resulted in so much sweat that my bellows and other gear was a mess due to dust collecting in the sweat and grinding into the equipment.

One of the great places in the country for photography though.

Nate Potter, Austin TX.

[venchka]

Nate,

You make it sound very uninviting. Small sweat proof cameras might be appropriate.

[Nathan Potter]

venchka, I seem to have hit the area during particularly windy times so the dust was a real nuisance together with the heat. Especially in the vicinity of the entrance to the two canyons (Santa Elena and Boquillas) where the wind direction shifts and dust devils raise havoc at times. But LF is nevertheless mandatory, especially 8X10.

BTW I used to take a boat manned by Mexicans across the river just upstream from Boquillas Canyon to a little Mexican village where I could sit and sip beer as my dad did in the seventies. Haven't tried this recently so I suppose such an escapade is now frowned upon by immigration. There is some very interesting photography to be had in the village if you can get there. Frame the village with the great escarpment of the Sierra Del Carmen in the background if you can find the right angle and late lighting.
You can almost plan this shot on Google Earth if you can manipulate to the location.

Nate Potter, Austin TX.

[Bruce Schultz]

Anything fun will be outlawed by the government. So went the river crossing to Boquillas and Santa Elena villages. It was one of my favorite things to do in Big Bend, but no more. My last trip there in December was a bummer because we couldn't cross over. I knew that going there, but I still didn't want to accept it.

[bigdog]

What help can you give me for this hair brained idea?

None ...

[Brian Vuillemenot]

If you go during the summer, stay up in the Chisos Basin where the temperatures are cooler. There may be some great monsoon clouds that time of year which makes for excellent atmospherics. The Chisos Basin campground has great scenic views and is close to many trails leading into the mountains. You could easily spend the better part of a week just exploring and photographing up there. A good idea would be to take day trips from there down to the river (Santa Elena and/or Boquias Canyon) and desert areas. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to take the rowboat into Santa Elena or Boquias del Carmen because of the border crackdown. If you can, float the river through the canyon- it's quite the experience. Here's a couple shots from my last trip there back in '05.