Big Bend and West Texas suggestions?

rob_gendreau · 01-18-2014, 11:28 AM

Anyone got any tips on touring Big Bend (state and national parks) and the area around there? I might get as far as Austin or San Antonio, but not sure. Looks like some nice small state parks around the general area, but it's easy when sitting here at home to underestimate travel times.

Was thinking of going in late Feb or early March. Sort of a compromise time, since some areas will start getting hot, while could still get snow higher up. Would be going from the SF Bay Area. Mostly a road trip; never been in the area.

**BroncoHauler** · 01-18-2014, 12:20 PM

Found these:

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2067&hilit=bend+park+texas

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=2777&hilit=bend+park+texas

viewtopic.php?f=11&t=4266&hilit=bend+park+texas

rob_gendreau · 01-18-2014, 03:57 PM

Thanks...forgot to add "texas" to my search

Ford_6L_E350 · 01-18-2014, 04:41 PM

Rob, you will enjoy Big Bend. We camped down by the Rio Grande (don't leave anything out or the javelinas will enjoy it) and up in the mountains.

Don't miss nearby:

- The Guadalupe Mountains NP

- Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, also home of the Chaparrel cars collection. In Midland.

Mike

**rionapo** · 01-22-2014, 09:21 PM

We went there before Gulf War I, came out a few weeks later and learned it was started and over. That's how remote the place is.

No trip is complete without Marfa (James Dean and strange lights). Alpine has McDonald Observatory, worth a stop. The highway along the Rio Grande north of the state park is scenic. Check out back roads assuming they're still open. We drove some very remote routes, even for Big Bend, and found incredible geology with interesting things laying around on the ground. Also saw temps over 100 in early March, this after snow in the Chisos! Camp under the cottonwoods rather than in mesquite thickets. Don't know about visiting Midland; I spent several years in Odessa dreaming of mountains and only found oil jacks so the area has no attraction today. Terlingua for tourists, too. Pack lots of food. Watch Lone Star just for fun.

Had a cousin-in-law whose grandfather alternated county sheriff terms with a rival in Val Verde County, IIRC, south of Big Bend. His rival was a cattle smuggler when he wasn't sheriff; they traded occupations when the rival became sheriff. The good old days.

Don

Pschitt · 01-24-2014, 06:57 PM

If you go there, don't miss the Hamilton Pool, a small County Park west of Austin. This place is awesome.

Pedernales Falls state park, in the same area, is also nice with a great campground.

Then Enchanted Rock, north of Frederiksburg, worth it too...

When are you planing to come? I'm actually just in Big Bend NP area...

rob_gendreau · 01-25-2014, 09:50 AM

I'm not sure when I'd get out there. Trying to convince some friends to make the trip. It's a L O N G way from us. And it's kind of funny, but we're getting so sick of dry that now going north until we find water is starting to seem like a good idea.

West TX ever get past its drought?

Pschitt · 01-25-2014, 04:02 PM

It's actualy dry but surprisingly cold. I had 19 a couple of nights ago. I didn't expect to have such low temps here, But it changes fast and today, it was in seventies again.

**rionapo** · 01-25-2014, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rob_gendreau

I'm not sure when I'd get out there. Trying to convince some friends to make the trip. It's a L O N G way from us. And it's kind of funny, but we're getting so sick of dry that now going north until we find water is starting to seem like a good idea.

West TX ever get past its drought?

Persisting or growing per http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/. Had a client today who fled 10 degree temps in Lubbock w/wind and no moisture.

Don

Pschitt · 01-25-2014, 09:04 PM

Interesting, thanks for the link.