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From canyon cliffs to abandon mines to Hot Springs, we saw a bit of everything today. We started off the day slow, enjoying the glory of the morning. By 11AM we took off down a beat-up dirt road toward our trailhead at Mariscal Canyon. The road was so rough that we looked for an alternative to our planned hike. Still anxious to explore, we unanimously pushed on to the canyon. It took about 90 minutes to complete the 30 mile drive, and our motion sickness almost ruined our lunch.

Upward and onward

Fueled up, we started off on what seemed like an easy trail, slowly meandering through a wash out turned into a calf burning, blood pumping, 1000 foot climb. Crossing cacti and loose rock, we finally caught a glance of the Rio Grande through the canyon. Encouraged, we pushed on to the top, but soon we had trouble deciphering where to end. After a quick backtrack, our travels halted at the canyon’s rim. Only pictures will suffice:

After photographing every single angle, we returned to the ‘Burb. Along the way, we agreed to cook dinner before cleansing 5 days of dirt and oil in the Hot Springs. We soon found out we weren’t the only ones with the same idea. But who could notice while feasting on Kevin’s famous backcountry cuisine? This night’s meal featured cheese sausage, salmon, and chicken with noodles and potatoes, washed down with a chocolate bar.

Call it what you want… I call it good

Thoroughly stuffed, we ignored Mama’s advice to wait 30 minutes and journeyed to the Springs. No sooner had we found our oasis than we were greeted by a ’spirited’ half dozen soon to be friends. The first to introduce himself was none other than a Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of ‘04 A-Company Crapper (a baritone player in the Aggie Band). Drew, an 11th time visitor to Big Bend, gave us the full history of the park and told us of a couple of secret places not on the park maps including Cattail Falls and some cave that leads to a canyon near a rockslide.

Orion’s belt

The details aren’t too important. What matters is that even though our journey had ended, there was so much more of Big Bend to explore on our next adventure.

They who go up must come down - our motto of the day.  We hiked less than 8 miles in nearly 5 hours, but we descended 500 feet, gained 1000 feet, and finished with a 2700 foot drop back to the Basin.  From Boot Springs, we caught the trail to Emory Peak - the highest point in the whole park at 7825 feet.  What a view!

Emory Peak

We had to cross slippery ice and rock scramble the last 25 yards to the peak before we could savor the panorama. With clear skies above, we sat silently meditating on God’s handiwork.  After numerous photographs and the presences of another hiker, we trekked back down the mountain and met the nicest couple from East Texas.  Texans are great!  We continued to meet all kinds of people including a group of previously lost t-sips.  Good laughs.

A West Texas sunset

We kept going down, down, down the mountain, but knees kept screaming ‘oww, oww, oww’.  Eventually, we found our great white stead, aka the Petticrew Suburban.  We ate, washed up, and drove to La Clocha #2, a drive up site along the Rio Grande.  There we kept joking the Mexicans were going to cross the border and raid our tents.  To finish the day, Jordan cooked up some hamburgers. What a great, great meal to finish an even better day.

Today we hiked 11+ miles from the Chisos Basin up Laguna Meadow across the Rim and returned via Boot Springs to our camp at Colima #3. It was a slow morning because of a very cold night that left frost on the rain fly. We didn’t hit the trail until 10 AM.

To start, we ascended 1600 feet, fully packed - some more than others. Sadly, Travis and Jordan didn’t have much previous hiking experience and ’slightly’ over-packed. At first, I was concerned, but nobody complained as we peeled off the 3.5 miles and over a 1/4 mile gain in elevation. It is such a joy to share the day with three selfless men.

Overlooking the Blue Ridge Fire in 1989

No sooner had we dropped our packs and returned to the trail when Jordan spotted a deer. Armed with a knife, he quietly stalked the deer from behind. Who won? I’d say it was a draw between the deer and the camera.

vs.

Hiking along the South Rim is glorious. It’s as if the Chisos Mountains were a crown fit for the King of Texas, and by the graces of his majesty, he allowed us to walk the edge of the of his crown so that we might gaze upon the beauty of his kingdom. And gazed we did. We celebrated by reading Scripture and singing a little.

The South Rim

Nobody crossed our path all day except one man, an obvious out-of-stater, without a smile to his name. I think our presence ruined his day. After parting ways, we had to slowly transverse 150 feet of iced trail before Boot Springs.

Who knew that a cactus and snow could be such good neighbors?

Once there, Jordan, the Lumberjack, hurled rocks at the frozen creek, shattering the thin sheets into tiny pieces. To end the day, we enjoyed a nice uphill back climb back to camp where dinner awaited.

Today Travis, Kevin, Jordan, and I drove 575 miles to to Big Bend National Park. We made excellent time despite the unanticipated 30 minute gas stop in Marathon. What can you do when the pump maxs out at 2 gallons per minute? It was only a minor setback during a quick 8 hour drive to the park.

After checking into the Ranger Station, we hurried to the Chisos Basin to setup camp before the sunset through the Window. Having quickly setup camp, we started the hike, but it turned quickly into a trail run because the sun was sinking below the horizon. Once we arrived, it was breathtaking. One wrong move and you’d fall off the edge.

We walked back in the twilight, warmed by from a good jog and good scenery. We couldn’t have had a better group of four. Everyone looks out for each other and no one complains. Back in camp, our warmth dissipated and the temperature dropped steadily through the night. Still, we tried to stay up gazing at stars. What a sight.

Psalm 8:3,4

When I consider Your heavens, the works of your fingers;
The moon and the stars, which you have set in place
What is man that you are mindful of him!
And the son of man that you should care for him?