January 2013 24
While hiking in big bend, always carry plenty of water, and know your physical limitations. Cell coverage is extremely limited in Big Bend, and even satellite phones do not work in some areas. Many hikers have died in Big Bend from dehydration, so always carry plenty of water with you!
The Rio Grande has many special places along it, but my favorite is Santa Elena Canyon, a slot cut into the red-brown rock; the cliffs are 1,500' high in some parts, and the Rio Grande has Class IV rapids
in this canyon. The trail down to the
canyon is only 1.7 miles round-trip,
and the canyon is absolutely beautiful.
assuming the Rio Grande is not flood-
ing, you can hike through the canyon
until the river meets the canyon walls.
The Hot Springs is another one of my
favorite spots in the park. After
short drive down a narrow gravel road,
a short trail leads past historic build-
ings, and along the base of a cliff with
ancient pictographs painted in red and
white, and petroglyphs inscribed into
the rock. At the turn of the century,
the hot springs were known to "cure anything", and a bathhouse and post office were built, and it became a meeting place, as was used as a healing center. The stone foundation of the bathhouse at the river's edge contains the 105 degree spring water bubbling up from the ground, and is a nice place to relax after a day of hiking.
Another lovely place in Big Bend is The
Chisos basin, nestled in the Chisos Mount-
ains a mile above sea level. There is a
lodge, restaurant, store, and campground
in the basin, with views of "The Window",
a picturesque pass between Amon Carter
and Vernon Bailey Peaks. a 5.5 mile hike
will take you down into the window.
The Geology of Big Bend is fascinating,
with many different types of volcanic
formations, and interesting rocks every-
where you go.
Santa Elena Canyon
NPS Photo
Historic Building at Hot Springs
NPS Photo