Day 1!! Friday morning I hit the road with my parents in their still-new-to-them RV. Our destination? Big Bend National Park. I have been through many parts of the park before but neither one of my parents had ever been. Due to circumstances my mom and I were the sole drivers on this mission but it turned out great for everyone. This was my mom's 55th birthday weekend and we were all eager for a memorable trip.
Several hundred miles later we're climbing up into the Chisos Basin after I poorly described what type of technical grades and turns my mom was up for. She traversed those mountains flawlessly. I caught a little video of the experience and I love the delight in my mom's face as we make the final descent to the campgrounds.
Several hundred miles later we're climbing up into the Chisos Basin after I poorly described what type of technical grades and turns my mom was up for. She traversed those mountains flawlessly. I caught a little video of the experience and I love the delight in my mom's face as we make the final descent to the campgrounds.
We found a decent campsite with a shade shelter and enough space to park the RV on a level plane. Dad and I only managed to complain about the overhead powerlines. Travelling in an RV was a new experience for me.
Evening was approaching and I had plans to shoot the sunset through the Window which I had never seen before. I wasn't sure how much hiking my parents would be able to enjoy with me but the camp host appropriately talked them down from joining me on this late hike that would total a little over 5 miles. The host also suggested the trail that spurs from the Window trail to gain a vantage of the entire valley below.
Evening was approaching and I had plans to shoot the sunset through the Window which I had never seen before. I wasn't sure how much hiking my parents would be able to enjoy with me but the camp host appropriately talked them down from joining me on this late hike that would total a little over 5 miles. The host also suggested the trail that spurs from the Window trail to gain a vantage of the entire valley below.
The Window is basically a funnel of the basin's watershed. It's an unusual trail because you start at the top and work your way down. It's about 650 ft in elevation change to the edge of the Window. The trail starts in the open valley but quickly begins to narrow as it becomes a more defined stream channel.
I kept an eye out for large predators, the trail started to dip into the dry stream bed and under large trees. Perfect for a hungry mountain lion to wait for a drive-through meal. Suddenly the canyon gets very narrow and almost complete changes directions. After that, the rock gets very smooth and some stairs are added for easier hiking. After another corner or so you're there. The window. It just sort of appears. It's shiny and polished rock from what must be both thousands of travelers and ages of natural weathering. It's really quite an impressive slot and I'm surprised there aren't more obstructions. The large turn in the canyon may act as a strainer that keeps the lower section from getting jammed. I was quite impressed with the view, I had expectations that it might be overrated but I was overjoyed by the beauty. And I had the place to myself!
I knew the view at the window would be considerably narrow so it wouldn't make for the best sunset vistas. I continued on my plan to check out the adjacent trail that the camp host recommended. I backtracked up the trail to find the spur trailhead. The trail climbed up and above the canyon right away and gave me nice views up and down the canyon. I turned around one moment to look up the canyon and the Moon popped out!! It was a nice surprise and very beautiful. It sure wouldn't be the last I'd see of the moon on this trip.
I loved the wacky Dr. Seuss-esque ocotillo plant and had more with great views than I knew what to do with. It was really hard to narrow down all of the shots I took.
Many many pictures later the Sun finally faded away and I knew I had to make it back to camp before it got too late. I had a two-way radio but couldn't reach my dad so far down the canyon. I didn't want him to worry and I didn't want to get mauled. So I booked it (I literally ran up the trail for a fair chunk. And as my mom would later criticize, running is not the wisest thing to do if you're trying to avoid mountain lions. Oh well, I would have given a mountain lion a run for their money! Just kidding. I would be terrified if I saw one.
Great way to start an adventure and I was so glad to get in this nice hike on the first day. As night fell the moon overpowered the sky and nearly washed out all the stars. Headlamps weren't necessary. I was really hoping for my mom to see the great dark skies of West Texas but there was none of that. Not on this night.