#Hike to Santa Elena Canyon

[humongouscasheaglebagel]

#santa elena canyon #soaptree yucca #big bend national park #chihuahuan desert #texas trans pecos #creosote #west texas #mountains #backpacking #hiking #photo by me

[travelacrosstheworld8975]

Plan Your Visit To Big Bend National Park

You will find camping, boating, fossils, hiking and backpacking, backcountry drives, and unbelievable night skies in Big Bend National Park. What more could you want in the ultimate outdoor adventure? It is time to plan your visit to Big Bend National P

You will find camping, boating, fossils, hiking and backpacking, backcountry drives, and unbelievable night skies in Big Bend National Park. What more could you want in the ultimate outdoor adventure? It is time to plan your visit to Big Bend National Park! What will you see on a backcountry drive in Big Bend National Park? There is the obvious. Big Bend National Park contains several distinct…

View On WordPress

#Adventure #Backcountry drive in Big Bend #Boquillas Canyon #Cacti in Big Bend National Park #Cactus of Big Bend #Camping in Big Bend #Cottonwood Campground #Hiking in Big Bend #Mule Ears Viewpoint #National Parks #Old Maverick Road #Santa Elena Canyon #Should you visit Big Bend National Park #Texas National Parks #Travel #Vacation #Visit Castalon #Visit Chisos Basin #Visit Texas #Visit US National Parks #When is the best time to visit Big Bend National Park

[lairn]

Thinking about national parks now and how I'd love to go to more of them. I'm going to list the ones I've visited and a thing or two I remember about each of them. Acadia: thunder hole and the rocky shores Badlands: the prairie hike and the way you can hike off trail, scooting down a very steep descent on my butt because it was better than falling headfirst Big Bend: hot springs, jays in the Chisos Mountains, Ross Maxwell Scenic drive and sunset near Santa Elena Canyon Bryce Canyon: the sun hitting the hoodoos late in the day Carlsbad Caverns: bats and the descent, learning about the ascent into Halloween Hall Gateway Arch: I didn't realize this was a national park?? It's surprisingly narrow but it was interesting seeing the mechanism to get to the top. Grand Canyon: on the north side black squirrels and a storm rolling in, on the south side the classic view Grand Teton: sunrise against the mountains, getting caught between a moose and a bear on a trail Smoky Mountains: the fall colors, the way the fog really is mysterious and thick and smoky Guadalupe Mountains: Smith Spring and the transition from scrub to forest Indiana Dunes: spending a day at the beach before it became a national park, the bog hike, taking a solo hike in the rain while my friends slept Mammoth Cave: the ice-cream cone formation, a playground at the motel (i was very young) White Sands: my deep desire to spot a lizard, the bright white of it all, admiration for people doing multi-mile hikes Yellowstone: my dad wearing socks on his ears because we did not expect winter weather in June, Moose Valley, my brother and i picking out the smallest hot springs and naming them after ourselves Yosemite: lots of big ravens, bridalveil fall viewed at a distance, sequoias Zion: bighorn sheep, peeking into the narrows, promising myself i'd come back with people who aren't afraid of heights and hike angel's landing

#national parks #np diary #<- maybe i'll remember that tag (unlikely) and add to this if I get to visit another park

[travelonourown]

Thu 4/4

Thu 4/4

Had an exciting start to the day! We got on the road to Big Bend NP but forgot to turn off our security system for Edith to enter our house this morning to clean. No cell coverage at 11am Texas time, so we searched frantically for a place in the boondocks with WiFi. Luckily we came upon the Jackass Country Store along the way, which had usable WiFi. By the time we turned off the house alarm, Edith had already set it off. We narrowly avoided a call to the San Ramon PD by calling the security service, but poor Edith was scared. Not a complete disaster but close! We bought some Lone Star beer and snacks to thank the store owner. Continuing on to the park, we passed by a cattle drive in progress, complete with cowboys on horseback! Entering Big Bend Park, we drove south on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to the Santa Elena Canyon trailhead, stopping several time to take photos (spectacular rock formations like Mule Ears, Sotol Vista, etc). Took a short but spectacular hike up the canyon and above the Rio Grande River, and saw some goats on the cliffs on the Mexican side of the River. After this we drove back north on the Scenic drive and then east to the cutoff for Chisos Basin Road. Drove to the dead end of this road past gorgeous rock formations, and into forested areas where bears and mountain lions roam (we didn’t see any). Edward got some caffeine for the long drive back to Alpine. Passing by some longhorn cattle (and 1 longhorn bull with extra long horns!), we arrived back at the Antelope Lodge as darkness fell. A very long but worthwhile day!

#travel #roadtrip #cross country #texas #big bend national park

[rosct]

Top 5 places to visit in Texas

Texas, the Lone Star State, is a vast and diverse land that stretches from deserts to coastal plains, offering a wealth of experiences for every type of traveler. From vibrant cities to natural wonders, here are the top 5 places to visit in Texas that showcase the state's unique charm and hospitality.

Austin: The Live Music Capital of the World

*Nestled in the heart of Texas, Austin is renowned for its eclectic music scene, vibrant culture, and outdoor recreational activities. Explore the trendy South Congress Avenue, witness the iconic bats at Congress Avenue Bridge, and immerse yourself in the live music that permeates the city, solidifying its status as the "Live Music Capital of the World." Don't miss the green oasis of Zilker Park and the historic State Capitol building.

San Antonio: The Alamo and River Walk

San Antonio is a city steeped in history and charm. Visit the iconic Alamo, a symbol of Texas' fight for independence, and stroll along the picturesque River Walk lined with shops, restaurants, and vibrant foliage. Enjoy a boat tour along the river, savor Tex-Mex cuisine at local eateries, and explore the historic La Villita district for a taste of the city's rich cultural heritage.

Houston: Space City and Cultural Hub

Houston, a sprawling metropolis, is not only home to NASA's Space Center Houston but also boasts a thriving cultural scene. Explore the Space Center to learn about space exploration, visit the renowned Museum District for art and science exhibits, and indulge in diverse culinary experiences in the city's eclectic neighborhoods. Houston's blend of innovation and culture makes it a must-visit destination.

Big Bend National Park: Nature's Grandeur

For nature enthusiasts, Big Bend National Park is a gem in West Texas. This expansive park, characterized by rugged mountains, vast canyons, and the meandering Rio Grande, offers hiking, stargazing, and river activities. Take in the breathtaking views from the Chisos Mountains, explore Santa Elena Canyon, and experience the unparalleled beauty of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Dallas: Arts, History, and Modernity

Dallas, a city that seamlessly blends history with modernity, offers a range of attractions for visitors. Discover the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, dedicated to the life and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. Immerse yourself in the arts at the Dallas Museum of Art, explore the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, and shop in the vibrant Bishop Arts District. Dallas is a dynamic city that caters to history buffs, art lovers, and urban explorers alike.

Texas unfolds as a captivating destination with a multitude of experiences waiting to be explored. Whether you seek vibrant city life, cultural richness, or the serenity of nature, the top 5 places mentioned here provide a glimpse into the diverse tapestry that makes Texas a standout travel destination.

Read More:

Top 10 Things to See and Do in Grand Canyon National Park

#Places #Travel #USA

[barron]

Big Bend Camping Trip – Day 3

“Santa Elena Canyon” Big Bend, 2023 Our last day at Big Bend was spent hiking the iconic Santa Elena Canyon. The canyon is always stunning, and this time there was someone in a canoe enjoying the Rio Grande. It looked so fun! “Santa Elena Canyon” Big Bend, 2023 “Sunburst” Big Bend, 2023 “Murky Waters” Big Bend, 2023 The canyon was a perfect way to end the trip to Big Bend. But there was one more…

View On WordPress

#Big Bend #camping #hiking #postaday #travel

[thorsenmark]

Looking Upstream in the Santa Elena Canyon (HDR, Big Bend National Park) by Mark Stevens Via Flickr: No matter how much I tried to meter this setting, I could never capture that large dynamic range with the far off canyon wall in the sunlight and nearby walls in shadows. So it was time to set up my tripod and capture five Tiff images and then convert to HDR with Aurora HDR. I later used NIK Viveza 2 and then CEP 4 for the final image.

#1500 feet high #Along Banks of Rio Grande #Aurora HDR #Big Bend National Park #Big Bend Ranges #Blue Skies #Capture NX2 Edited #Cañón de Santa Elena #Chihuahuan Desert #Cliff Walls #Color Efex Pro #Day 5 #Desert #Desert Landscape #Desert Mountain Landscape #Desert Plant Life #HDR #Hike to Santa Elena Canyon #Intermountain West #Landscape #Limestone Cliffs #Looking West #Looking into Mexico #Mesa de Anguilla #Mountains #Mountains in Distance #Mountains off in Distance #Mountainside #Nature #Nikon D800E

[ineedaanitapicture]

santa elena canyon

#santa elena canyon #hiking trail #rio grande river #big bend national park #mexico #united states #border #West Texas

[wolfsskull]

who wants to go on a hiking trip with me to big bend?

#astral project to the santa elena canyon overlook. i'll meet you there at midnight #we'll hike around the park for a few units of human time and then go up to visit terlingua and marfa #i need to be in the desert #wolfpersonal

[mywalkabout40]

Santa Elena Canyon

With my earlier champagne buzz still floating around in my head, I come to the parking lot trailhead for Santa Elena. It is eerily quiet this morning. The Rio Grande is slowly flowing into the entrance of the canyon, waiting like a Giant’s open mouth to swallow all those that dare walk in….  The high granite walls are impressivein size as I make my way along the trail and into the shadows. There…

View On WordPress

#a day in the life #Big Bend #hiking #outdoor adventures #photography #Santa Elena Canyon #solo #solotravel #Texas

[goaldengoats]

PART 1

calm sunsets

accidentally going to Mexico

sunrises in bed

hiking the window trail, grapevine road to balanced rock and Santa Elena canyon

Walking through the rio grande

Laying on a highway in the middle of the night

Erin throwing me off a mountain

Warmth and wind

Sun flares and exploding beers

Pure silence

A dinosaur and a lizard

Star trails

VIEWS

FRIENDS

❤️

BiBe

Big Bend National park- thanks for the memories

@er1nruns @elkay723 ❤️

#adventure #big bend national park

[humongouscasheaglebagel]

#big bend national park #santa elena canyon #rio grande river #texas trans pecos #chihuahuan desert #cliff face #blind prickly pear #candellia #mountains #hiking #photo by me #boulders

[travelswithripley]

Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.

#santa elena canyon #canyon #big bend #big bend national park #national park #national park system #texas #hiking #nature #landscape #nature photography #landscape photography #original photographer #original photographers #original photography #photographers of tumblr #photographers on tumblr

[go-maribelvelez]

Third hike, Santa Elena Canyon Trail. Easy (thanks God) 1.7 miles round trip hike. The hike combined crossing Terlingua creek, muddy feet, ascends, descends, and for some a nice walk or swim in the river. I wish I had brought my kayak to paddle in the Santa Elena Canyon. #santaelenacanyon #bigbendnationalpark (at Santa Elena Canyon, Big Bend) https://www.instagram.com/p/CIEmFmMhJ4Rka3sbTEtqm0eSSiosjkjSTeJRw80/?igshid=93wlrx5scb7q

#santaelenacanyon #bigbendnationalpark

[grateful4grace]

On the Road Again...

We have been in Texas now for 10 years! Can you believe that? We decided it was time to get our butts out to West Texas where we have heard so much about. Everyone said that we wouldn’t believe that we were still in TX; it’s like you’re in another country and it was so true. It was unlike anywhere we had ever been. The landscape, the wildlife, and the vegetation were breathtaking. I am already ready to go back and explore some more but we will need to wait until the crazy summer heat passes and go in late Fall or early Spring.

On the first day, we drove 7 hrs to our airbnb in Alpine, TX which was the closest town to Big Bend National Park, (even though it was an additional 2.5 hr drive to the park.) We listened to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane on audiobook on the way and we HIGHLY recommend for all ages. It’s a beautiful story. We all loved it.

The first day we drove about 30 mins north from Alpine to Davis Mountains State Park, where we drove to the top of a mountain and explored and hiked. Driving up/down the mountains, Olive kept calling the switchback roads, “aisles” and said “here we go up another aisle.” Davis Mountains:

The kids spent about an hour using the rocks as building toys. Graham made a gumball machine.

the “perfect slingshot” Jonah found which he brought home to make one with a rubberband

If there is a tree, they will climb it. Actually, it doesn’t even need to be a tree--they’ll climb anything.

Next we decided to go to Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute which was near the state park. In Alpine the weather was beautiful--mid 70s and sunny but on our 15 min drive into the mountains to get to the research institute to hike it started hailing more than we’ve ever seen. 

The roads were slippery like it was a snow storm in the middle of winter. We finally made it to the center for shelter from the hail storm and from a crazy downpour which would flood the hiking trails. It was quite the sight. We were grateful to not have been out with the kids on the trails in the middle of the hail storm since there is so very little protection from the elements in the desert. After we waited out the storm, we headed back into Alpine, where we hiked a small, local trail what was deemed an “easy, kid-friendly hike” on alltrails but ended up being very steep. It was beautiful and we were able to see a nice view of Alpine.

We managed to make it 95% of the way back to our car with no accidents, despite the trail being lined with cactus on either side. Graham tripped and landed hands first on a Prickly Pear Cactus. Once we picked out about 20 fine spines from his hands, he was fine. We had a few other encounters with cactus and kids during the trip but once the spines are removed, the pain is gone thankfully.

That night our good friends from Dallas joined us. They and their 4 kids parked their RV outside our house for a couple nights. We were so excited to be able to take a day trip together the next day to Big Bend. We drove 2 hrs to the park entrance 

and drove another 30 mins south to Santa Elena Canyon which is on the Rio Grande River.  

After finally making it to the canyon, getting 7 kids out of the car and walking to the river, OUT. OF. NOWHERE big, fat raindrops came and then...hail! Like, welt-leaving hail. Our family found protection under a tree. 

The hail storm only lasted for 15 minutes and then we were able to continue on with our hike. The Santa Elena Trail gave us beautiful views of the canyon and the river. 

After our hike, we made our way back down to the river to cool off and explore. Mexico is on the other side of the Rio Grande River. We were allowed to swim but not across to the other side! Here you can see the Texas/Mexico boarder:

butterfly caught in mud

fresh mountain lion tracks!

Here’s an odd digging bee that Olive almost lands on

Headed back to the car.

From the Rio Grande and canyon, we stop at the lower burro mesa pour off trail, which was my favorite and most kid-friendly. Highly recommend. 

Here Grambo is again building and creating, what he does best.

The 2 hr drive back to Alpine from Big Bend was gorgeous.

We saw storms form in the distant mountains and watched as we drove to them. We drove through hail, once again. If you’re not counting, that’s the 3rd hail storm in 2 days. And then we saw it--a double rainbow!

This is what 2 hikes and 5 hours in a car in 1 day look like with kids. In case you’d like to join on our next roadtrip, we have an extra seat in our van...

The last night we were in West Texas, we all stayed up late and took the kids to an odd town called Marfa to see the “Marfa Lights” which is a completely dark viewing center to see stars like you’ve never seen them before--think outdoor/real planetarium. There’s claims to thousands of people seeing UFO sightings there but we only saw beautiful stars. 

We had such a great and tiring trip! I’m ready to go back already. Who’s with me? 

#strohvacation #3amigos #daddy&olive #mommy&olive #grahamvideo #westtexas #davismountains #bigbend

[quest2thewest]

Thanks Ronda

We made it! Tin Valley Retro Rentals. You can only get there via coordinates. No cell service, no hot water, no paved roads, no street lights. Ronda, the host, gave us the most specific directions, details and fun tidbits about the location. We got there no problem with about an hour of daylight so we could set up our first real campsite NOT in the dark. No problems there! There were so many cute animals (fur babies, as Ronda called them), 3 dogs, a burro (like a donkey) named Samson, who only liked junk food and sooo many cute tiny black cats. We made our first fire and first camp stove meal (pasta) and slept in our tent for the first time.

The next day we wake up at sunrise and head into Big Bend National Park. We had heard mixed opinions about going here but as of now both Andy and I agree that it was AMAZING. There were so many gorgeous landscapes. We saw the desert, mountains and rivers all in one day, in one park. The flora and fauna was beautiful- so many unique colors. A lot more green than we expected. We hiked the 5.2 miles Window View Trail- hard and hot but well worth it. The took the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive south all the way down to the Rio Grande and the Santa Elena Canyon. I was at a loss for words. I know we have a lot of beautiful sights and national parks ahead of us, but we were really blown away. We took a short 1.7 mile hike up into the Canyon and it kept getting more and more beautiful. So many photos, I couldn’t stop!!! The sun was starting to set so we took the Old Maverick Road to the park exit- this was the bumpiest dirt road my poor car has ever been on. 10mph the whole way, 4 wheel drive cards only. My car needs a spa day.....

Once we finally got into an area with cell service, we drove to El Cosmico in Marfa, TX, a hippie-dippy village with RVs, yurts and tipis for rent. This time we opted for the open campgrounds. Took advantage of the communal outdoor kitchen and the free coffee. A good stop for the night. Next stop: Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico!