Kayaking in Big Bend Ranch State Park

One of the perks we have working for the concessionaire here at Big Bend National Park is that they offer freebies.  Some of these are agreements with local companies that provide services in or near the National park including kayaking, jeep tours and hotel stays in Lajitas Tx.  The idea being that if we have a great experience with them, we'll be better able to discuss their services with our customers.

Lupe had been calling one of our favorite companies, Far Flung outfitters in Terlingua, for several months trying to find an open spot for the two of us on a kayaking trip.  Based on the time of year, half-day, full-day, and multi-day Rio Grande kayaking trips are available through Boquillas, Mariscal, Santa Elena Canyons in the National Park, from La Linda north of Big Bend into the park and in Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Far Flung's map showing their kayaking tours

This time of year, July, the trips are exclusively in the state park due to the low water level on the Rio Grande.  As a matter of fact, we found out from our guide that ALL the water in the Rio Grande in Texas right now is coming from Mexico's Rio Conchos.  And that no actual Rio Grande water will be flowing past dams north of El Paso due to 'large agribusinesses in Colorado sucking it all up.. don't buy from Walmart' until October or so.  So the Rio Grande river is actually dry from El Paso to the confluence with Rio Conchos, just North of Presidio.

Rio Grande Dams and Diversions by Kmusser
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=21959793

Our guide also thanked Mexico in his talk saying animals in Big Bend National Park are surviving the summers ONLY because of the good graces of Mexico and its Rio Conchos water, which Mexico could use, divert or dam if they chose.

Map of our kayak trip

Anyway, on to our kayaking trip!  We signed our Risk Agreement, had a brief safety talk, boarded the 17-person van and pulled away from Far Fung heading to the State Park. After picking up a family at Lajitas, we arrived at La Cuesta (meaning slope), which was our starting point, excited and ready to get wet.  The trip would take us through Madera Canyon, and we'd get out at the river access past the canyon, with two rapids along the way!

Our guide took some time explaining kayaking safety, proper paddling (use your shoulders), handling rapids and how to deal with getting pushed into the side of the river wall (lean into the wall), among other other things to keep in your head when on the water.  The information was important and relevant to the moment; for example, if you get thirsty on the river your already dehydrated.  Drinks lots of water and stop anywhere on the river for a potty break.

So off we went as each person was helped (if needed) into their kayak.. remembering to sit down in the kayak and don't attempt to stand in the kayak when getting in!

And from there it was a peaceful and pleasant trip down the Rio Grande.  Along the way, the guide would stop and discuss relevant topics including the impact of different river levels, the level markings on the canyon walls and the shape of the river bank and how these are all tied to the flow (or lack of it) of the river.

Midway, we stopped and were treated to light snacks, giving us all a chance to meet our fellow kayakers and guides.

And then we headed into Madera (Monilla) canyon.

Here's my video of the trip. We truly enjoyed the few hours on the Rio Grande Far Flung gave us.  It was a great trip.

Thanks, Far Flung!!

Here's our Google photo Album with all photos and videos from the trip.

Pine Canyon Hike 2018

Pine Canyon Trail is listed as a moderate hike in our favorite Big Bend Hiking Guide, the Falcon Guide to Hiking Big Bend. And even on a Summer day, like the day we hiked in July, if you start early enough you can still have a pleasant hike at Big Bend National Park.

Lupe on the trail

Pine Canyon trail is a high desert trail starting at about 2500 feet in elevation and ending at about 5400 feet (based on my phone).  On this trail, you're climbing up into the high desert mountains about 2.5 miles (the book says 2 miles but it's more) and it gets cooler as you go.

You get to the trailhead from the Panther Junction Visitors center by turning South towards Glen Springs Road, an improved off-road trail, turning right on Glen Springs Road and then right on Pine Canyon Road where you'll pass five Pine canyon campsites along the way.

After a roughly 7 mile off-road drive, you'll get to Pine Canyon trailhead which has its own parking lot.

Trail marker describing the hike

As the Guide describes, heading west towards the Chisos Mountains the trail follows an old dirt road, which is a continuation of Pine Canyon Road, into a densely wooded pine canyon.

Sotol agave grasslands

The uphill hike starts in sotol grasslands and after a mile enters the canyon.  As the elevation increases the plant life changes into a dense forest of Mexican pinyon pine, junipers and oaks.

After another mile, we found ourselves in a creek bed thinking that this was the end of the trail, however, continuing another 1/2 mile, we found ourselves at the base of the 200-foot pouroff, which becomes a waterfall after heavy rains.

pouroff

The hike was exhilarating and had an exciting ending at the beautiful pouroff.  The surrounding, tranquil space created there provided a place to sit and chillax after the hike.

If we can, we'll head back in just after a heavy rain to see the waterfall.

The hike out was equally beautiful as we passed Texas Madrone, Arizona pine and bigtooth maple as well as the always-present Harvard agave.

Since Microsoft recently upgraded their Photos app to make it super easy to create videos, I had to try it and made this short video of this hike.  Sorry for the silly animations, I had to try them.  Let me know what you think.   And - here's a link to our Google Photo Album for this hike.

Chow, Bert

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Alpine's downtown murals

On our visit to Alpine Texas to see the Museum and Theater of the Big Bend, we spent some time downtown exploring the Alpine murals created by Stylle Read and community volunteers.  Here are a few of those we saw.

Mural on a train car in the city park

who's that in the caboose? 

'Texas Ranch House Too' mural on N. 5th Street

collage of 3 photos of the Cowboy mural

Serenading 'Poco a Poquito' mural in the Food Truck Lot 

'Big Brewster' Greetings mural in the Food Truck Lot 

There were many more murals we didn't get to, but they can be found listed and mapped on the Alpine Murals Attractions page.