For those of you who are fairly certain you'll be coming out to Big Bend for this trip, please send me a PM with the following info, which I'll keep track of off-line & use for planning group runs.
-Estimated arrival & departure dates
-Dates and/or # days you are interested in joining group runs
-Accommodation plans (i.e., camping with us at Rancho Topanga, lodging in town, etc)
-Your contact info, if applicable
I'll be leaving Houston on 12/26 & I'll leave Big Bend to return home 1/3 or 1/4. You can come for however long you want. I won't be leading group runs every day but everyone is welcome to join on whatever I do on non-trail days...rock collecting, hiking, exploring, day trip into Mexico, drinks on 'The Porch', etc.
I'll lead group runs on at least 3 of these days: 12/27, 12/28, 12/29 & 12/30. On any days I don't, I will provide you with ideas for where you can go on your own if you want, or with the group...or you're welcome to join us on any non-offroading activities.
On Wed. 12/31, my friend and I will be doing some rock collecting, possibly a field trip/hike. That usually takes half the day at least, maybe more if we go to a 2nd location.
Below are some of the off-roading day runs I'm definitely planning on for this trip; plus at least one night wheeling run somewhere in here:
1. River Road & Black Gap Road in Big Bend National Park (BBNP) - full day of dirt under the wheels
2. Christmas Mountain, near Terlingua - best views of the area in my opinion, this is about a 5 hour start to finish from Terlingua; if we do it early in the day we can also explore some of the county roads on our way back to Terlingua - the ones we went on last year had water crossings and a fun hill climb, and some great photo ops
3. Cerro de las Burras Loop in Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP) - probably an AM trip, including some light hiking to explore the caves that we didn't have time to check out last time; the drive to get there goes along the other part of River Road, this part is paved but the views are great - you'll want to stop and take some pics from at least one of the overlooks; we may have time to fit something else in later in the day.
Three recommendations I have for y'all for a free day are all in BBNP:
1. Santa Elena Canyon
2. Chisos Basin
3. Hot Springs
ACCOMMODATIONS
The place we are camping is fairly new & really nice! Rancho Topanga We stayed here the last two years & it's a perfect spot for base camp! It's halfway between entrances to both parks, about 10 minutes from town/supplies/food/gas/laundromat, yet remote enough for peace & quietness & darkness. They have tent camping (we have a group area reserved) and there are spots for trailers/RVs - but no hookups. They do have roomy bath houses with clean, lighted restrooms & hot-water showers/changing areas, plus a few outdoor large sinks. The ranch has a few other offerings - including farm fresh eggs . Each camping area also has shared running water & large trash cans.
FEES TO BE PREPARED FOR (as of 12/2013)
Big Bend National Park: Vehicle Pass = $20 per vehicle, covers all occupants and is good for 7 days; Backcountry Camping = $10 permit required
Big Bend Ranch State Park: Day Pass = $5 per person (12 & under free); Backcountry camping = $8/night
Camping at Rancho Topanga: $10 per person (Valley Camping)
Album with some photos from prior trips: here
Suggested activities while you're in Big Bend (either for this trip or future Big Bend trips):
See post #2 for the detailed itinerary & meeting times/locations.
In the meantime, for your reading pleasure :lol: , here are links to threads for last year's trip & general Big Bend info:
Texas Big Bend Area December-2013 - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
*****Texas Big Bend Packing List, Prep & Links for Off-Road Trips - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum*****
-Estimated arrival & departure dates
-Dates and/or # days you are interested in joining group runs
-Accommodation plans (i.e., camping with us at Rancho Topanga, lodging in town, etc)
-Your contact info, if applicable
I'll be leaving Houston on 12/26 & I'll leave Big Bend to return home 1/3 or 1/4. You can come for however long you want. I won't be leading group runs every day but everyone is welcome to join on whatever I do on non-trail days...rock collecting, hiking, exploring, day trip into Mexico, drinks on 'The Porch', etc.
I'll lead group runs on at least 3 of these days: 12/27, 12/28, 12/29 & 12/30. On any days I don't, I will provide you with ideas for where you can go on your own if you want, or with the group...or you're welcome to join us on any non-offroading activities.
On Wed. 12/31, my friend and I will be doing some rock collecting, possibly a field trip/hike. That usually takes half the day at least, maybe more if we go to a 2nd location.
Below are some of the off-roading day runs I'm definitely planning on for this trip; plus at least one night wheeling run somewhere in here:
1. River Road & Black Gap Road in Big Bend National Park (BBNP) - full day of dirt under the wheels
2. Christmas Mountain, near Terlingua - best views of the area in my opinion, this is about a 5 hour start to finish from Terlingua; if we do it early in the day we can also explore some of the county roads on our way back to Terlingua - the ones we went on last year had water crossings and a fun hill climb, and some great photo ops
3. Cerro de las Burras Loop in Big Bend Ranch State Park (BBRSP) - probably an AM trip, including some light hiking to explore the caves that we didn't have time to check out last time; the drive to get there goes along the other part of River Road, this part is paved but the views are great - you'll want to stop and take some pics from at least one of the overlooks; we may have time to fit something else in later in the day.
Three recommendations I have for y'all for a free day are all in BBNP:
1. Santa Elena Canyon
2. Chisos Basin
3. Hot Springs
ACCOMMODATIONS
The place we are camping is fairly new & really nice! Rancho Topanga We stayed here the last two years & it's a perfect spot for base camp! It's halfway between entrances to both parks, about 10 minutes from town/supplies/food/gas/laundromat, yet remote enough for peace & quietness & darkness. They have tent camping (we have a group area reserved) and there are spots for trailers/RVs - but no hookups. They do have roomy bath houses with clean, lighted restrooms & hot-water showers/changing areas, plus a few outdoor large sinks. The ranch has a few other offerings - including farm fresh eggs . Each camping area also has shared running water & large trash cans.
FEES TO BE PREPARED FOR (as of 12/2013)
Big Bend National Park: Vehicle Pass = $20 per vehicle, covers all occupants and is good for 7 days; Backcountry Camping = $10 permit required
Big Bend Ranch State Park: Day Pass = $5 per person (12 & under free); Backcountry camping = $8/night
Camping at Rancho Topanga: $10 per person (Valley Camping)
Album with some photos from prior trips: here
Suggested activities while you're in Big Bend (either for this trip or future Big Bend trips):
- Canyoneering at Ernst Tiñaja, BBNP
- La Kiva-----Currently being renovated, may not be open in time: Drinks @ La Kiva (dinner is good too & they often have live music), Terlingua
- Dinner @ Starlight, Terlingua
- Hang out on The Porch (usually involves having a beer & conversing with the locals), Terlingua
- Hot Spring soak alongside Rio Grande, BBNP
- Off-roading, numerous locations
- Rock & mineral collecting, various spots but not in the parks
- Stargazing in Big Bend is breathtaking!!!
- Hunting (seasonal), Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
- Public Historic Sites, many locations in the Big Bend area
- Hallie Stillwell Museum at Stillwell Ranch (look up her story online)
- River tours
- Hiking
- Horseback rides
- ATVs
- Daytrip to Mexico via recently reopened border crossing at Boquillas del Carmen, BBNP - travel documents required
See post #2 for the detailed itinerary & meeting times/locations.
In the meantime, for your reading pleasure :lol: , here are links to threads for last year's trip & general Big Bend info:
Texas Big Bend Area December-2013 - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum
*****Texas Big Bend Packing List, Prep & Links for Off-Road Trips - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum*****