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Big Bend Chisos Basin

Base Camp. That little white tent in the middle of the photo is mine, set up at campsite #4 in the Chisos Basin campground, surrounded by mountains. The opening in the mountains beyond the campground is called the "Window". Check out the official Chisos Basin web site by clicking here Chisos is pronounced "Cheese-sos"
Here is a sequence of photos taken of the tent from different angles: Note bear box just behind shelter. While no bears appeared in camp (that I know of), there were regular visits by javelinas, or collared peccaries. More below on javelinas. That's Casa Grande in the background. Close up of "bear box". Every campsite, even the remote backpack sites, had a bear box. Everything that smells edible, including toothpaste, goes in there! A view inside the tent shows the portable table, lawn chair and edge of bed. Also note that the ground is too hard to drive in tent stakes, so the tent is secured with rope and double rocks at each corner. A view inside the tent shows the more of the queen size bed. Ah, the comforts of home! Too bad there was no shower for a week!
Why does a 62 year old from Ohio carry a 50 lb backpack from the base camp at 5410 ft to a backcountry campsite at 6100 ft visited by bear and cougar then hike the next day to the highest point in the park, 7825 ft, Emory peak, and return to complete the nine miler? Because it's there, of course! For photos of "The Hike" click here
Twilight view of the Chisos mountains. Twilight view showing the various shades of grey.
Before backpacking in the Chisos, it is highly recommended to learn what best to do in the event of a mountain lion or bear encounter. The Carmen white tail deer are rare, existing only here and in the Carmen mountains in nearby Mexico. Below a family of javelinas, or collared peccaries, crosses the road. Javelina are not related to pigs or boars as might be assumed, rather, they are related to hippos! While I didn't catch the whole family, I would estimate 12-15 individuals crossed the road, including youngsters.
Below are more scenes from inside the Chisos Basin: Richard, our volunteer naturalist, describes the alligator juniper, one of three juniper types in the Park. Chisos Basin visitor center, store, restaurant, and cabins Return to previous page