Big Bend National Park is located in Southern Texas, bordering Mexico. The national park covers 801,163 acres (larger than Rhode Island). For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande, Rio Bravo forms the boundary between Mexico and the US, and Big Bend National Park administers approximately 118 miles along that boundary. The park was named after the area, which is bounded by a large bend in the river.
It is worth noting that the area around BBNP is very remote without a lot of commercial properties, restaurants, or medical facilities. The closest hospital is in Alpine over an hour away. The locals say that the past time of choice is drinking.
The Hikes
Click the pictures for a better view and see more information about our experiences below.
The Window – We watched the sunset from a short Window View hike and then hiked the Window Trail the next day. There was a stream that ran along much of the trail that we had to criss-cross back and forth. The hike out was mostly downhill making the hike back mostly uphill which wore us out by the end.
Lost Mine Trail – We hiked the Lost Mine Trail twice. The first time, clouds rolled in before we reached the top so our visibility was severely limited. A lady we met hiking the second time had a Fitbit and said that the hike registered as 109 flights of stairs. OMG!!
The Lost Mine Bear – This is a two year old adolescent Mexican Black Bear. We also saw another bear who turned out to be a momma bear with two cubs. She looked up at Scott, grunted and pounded her paws on the ground. We got the heck out of there and decided you could use your imagination in lieu of the picture.
Santa Elena Canyon – Due to heavier than normal rain in the area this normally dry stream bed was thigh high on me. I took off my hiking shoes and socks and waded across to get to the Santa Elena Canon. Of course, Scott had to take a picture.
Mule Ears – An iconic rock formation at Big Bend. Not a very interesting hike.
Hot Springs Canyon – This is a natural hot spring that stays a consistent 105 degrees. Behind the springs is the mighty Rio Grande River. The day was so hot we chose to hang our feet in the much cooler Rio Grande side. The hike was a grueling 6 mile roundtrip in the afternoon heat with no shade anywhere along the trail. After the 20 minute soak in the springs the return trip was brutal.
CatTail Falls – This was a hike not found in any of the hiking books. It’s not on any of the hiking maps either. Locals told us how to find the trailhead. The Falls are below The Window where the water drains over the cliffs.
Sotol Vista Overlook at sunset was a beautiful view of the park. A final and stunning good-bye to Big Bend National Park.