June 15, 2010--Our first morning in the park. We decided to attempt a trip down the Window Trail, an approximately 5 mile trip promising rewarding views. However, at the
trailhead we were greeted with a sign stating the following:
I tried. I reluctantly went down the trail for 25 minutes taking caution with each step. Then finally gave up and quickly returned to the top (in just 10 minutes). The message seen above became my battle cry for the rest of the week. While on the trail for the short distance, I did capture these shots of The Window.
It was perfectly clear that we would not be hiking any significant trails marked with such signs, so we made plan B. A trip down the east side of the park to Rio
Grande Village, including all of the stops along the way.
Fortunately, we took a path without even knowing anything about what lied at the end. It turned out to be one of our favorite adventures. Again, when we arrived we were greeted with a posting, this one stated "thefts from unattended vehicles occur frequently at this site". So we took our belongings, and went on...We were in the Hot Springs historic district. This area was developed in the 20s-30s as a place for visitors to sample the waters of the Hot Spring. There was a post office/store, motel, and home. This view is along the trail to the hot spring.
Most of the pool was very silty and muddy, as the Rio
Grande. When the water is high in the river, it covers the hot spring pool. However, the area closest to the spring was clear. The water was very warm. This vantage point is standing in the far corner of the pool right on the Rio
Grande river. Shortly upstream is the junction of the
Tornillo Creek with the Rio
Grande. It was on this adventure that I realized why this is the off-season in Big Bend...it was SO VERY hot. I nearly got sick and possibly exhibited some of the signs of heat exhaustion or other condition. Throughout the trip I drank a 24 pack of water or more by myself (in 4 days)! I just couldn't get my thirst
quenched.
We continued through a tunnel on to the Rio Grande Village for a picnic in the shade of the lush oasis along the river. Then to Boquillas Canyon. Unfortunately, it was too late in the afternoon and I was too overwhelmed from the heat for us to truly appreciate this canyon or explore any of its trails. We did not make it back to this location.
I tried. I reluctantly went down the trail for 25 minutes taking caution with each step. Then finally gave up and quickly returned to the top (in just 10 minutes). The message seen above became my battle cry for the rest of the week. While on the trail for the short distance, I did capture these shots of The Window.
It was perfectly clear that we would not be hiking any significant trails marked with such signs, so we made plan B. A trip down the east side of the park to Rio Grande Village, including all of the stops along the way.
Fortunately, we took a path without even knowing anything about what lied at the end. It turned out to be one of our favorite adventures. Again, when we arrived we were greeted with a posting, this one stated "thefts from unattended vehicles occur frequently at this site". So we took our belongings, and went on...We were in the Hot Springs historic district. This area was developed in the 20s-30s as a place for visitors to sample the waters of the Hot Spring. There was a post office/store, motel, and home. This view is along the trail to the hot spring.
Most of the pool was very silty and muddy, as the Rio Grande. When the water is high in the river, it covers the hot spring pool. However, the area closest to the spring was clear. The water was very warm. This vantage point is standing in the far corner of the pool right on the Rio Grande river. Shortly upstream is the junction of the Tornillo Creek with the Rio Grande. It was on this adventure that I realized why this is the off-season in Big Bend...it was SO VERY hot. I nearly got sick and possibly exhibited some of the signs of heat exhaustion or other condition. Throughout the trip I drank a 24 pack of water or more by myself (in 4 days)! I just couldn't get my thirst quenched.
We continued through a tunnel on to the Rio Grande Village for a picnic in the shade of the lush oasis along the river. Then to Boquillas Canyon. Unfortunately, it was too late in the afternoon and I was too overwhelmed from the heat for us to truly appreciate this canyon or explore any of its trails. We did not make it back to this location.
