Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park is located in west Texas. The park has 800,000 acres, or 1250 square miles. Its topography is Chihuahuan Desert, varying in elevation from 1800 feet at the Rio Grande River to 7800 feet at the summit of Emory Peak in the Chisos Mountains. The park’s southern border is 118 miles of the Rio Grande, the border between Texas and Mexico. It is one of the least visited national parks, averaging fewer than 500,000 visitors a year. The park contains a lodge for visitors, but it is small and constantly in demand. When visiting the park I have always stayed in a motel in the tiny hamlet of Study Butte, which is a few miles from the main entrance to the park.
Waiting for sunrise just past the entrance to the park, Study Butte in the distance on the far left.
Same time, same location, different view.
Another different view.
The ocatillo plant bids the moon good morning.
On an early morning hike on the Burro Mesa Pouroff Trail.
The pouroff, about sixty feet high. In a heavy rain the water pours down from the top, causing a torrent of water to rush down through the canyon through which we had just hiked.
The Chihuahuan Desert landscape.
More desert landscape.
We had a long hike up a mountain trail through a pine forest for this panoramic view.
Brush pants and snake boots are mandatory.
The colors can be astounding.
1250 square miles is a lot of park.
Beautiful rock formations resemble an ancient city from a distance.
Near the red rock formations is this abandoned ranch house.
Agave
Agave in old age.
The park is not all sand and cactus.
But even in a pine forest the desert shows up.
Geologists love the place.
As do photographers.
There must be some soil up there someplace.
Desert rainbow.
This unusual formation is aptly named “Mule Ears”.
As sunset nears, the sky lights up.
“The Slot” at sundown.
So peaceful and quiet out here.
Cactus at last light.
The Rio Grande
Very uncactus reeds grow near the river.
The Rio Grande is lovely at dusk.
The mountains of Mexico.
The Rio Grande has carved the spectacular Santa Elena Canyon.
The river exits the canyon.
Free of canyon walls, the Rio Grande heads toward sunlight.
Limestone and river in Santa Elena Canyon.
Deep in the canyon.
As deep as you can get without swimming.
East end of Santa Elena Canyon
Big Bend blackguard.