2015-02-18 Big Bend National Park - Day 1

Our day started in Marathon with frozen water hoses and no heat.  We were able to get out and on the road by 9AM.  The drive to Terlingua took us through the middle of Big Bend National Park.  Beautiful scenery.  After getting settled in Terlingua we drove back into the park through Chisos Basin.  We hiked the Lost Mine trail but never made it to the mine – all up hill. After seeing a snake and running into another hiker who went all the way to the end and never saw the mine, we decided to turn back.  It was still a 2 mile hike. From there we drove down to Castolon to hike another 2 miles in the Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande.  Had to dip our hands in the water just to say we did.

 Chisos Basin

 Chisos Basin

 Lost Mine hike - at 1 mile marker

 Lost Mine hike - on the top of a ridge - this is where we turned back.

 Along the way to Castolon

 Santa Elena Canyon along the Rio Grande (end of the path)

 Back at the opening of the Santa Elena Canyon

 The white mounds are volcanic ash

 In the foreground at the base of the mountain is a wall (or fin) following most of the base - called Fiery Fins due to their red hue.

Sunset back in Terlingua