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Big Bend Western Side



On the way to west end, Castolon Visiter Center and Santa Elena Caynon,
I stopped to hike in the Grapevine Hills, an area of laccoliths,
a type of intrusive igneous formation where magma moves into an
area beneath the ground causing the overlying rock layers to 
dome upward. After the magma becomes rock, it is exposed as the
less durable rock above erodes away. Here are the "Rabbit Ears".
 

Can you spot a little silver Honda Insight below?


There was a slight drizzle this morning...


More of the formation.


Here I am looking down on a ranch which was sold to the government
in 1944 for Big Bend National Park. It belonged to Homer Wilson.


The interior of the ranch had a fireplace and a ceiling made
of reeds and logs for ceiling joists.


Here are the remains of the sheep corral.

 
Sotol Vista just beyond the ranch provides a lovely view.
Sotol is a plant associated with the Chihuahuan desert.


Scene from Mule Ears Viewpoint


Wild turkey roam the Cottonwood campground at Catolon Visitor's Center.

 
... and so do several roadrunners!


This is the spectacular view of the Santa Elena Canyon where the
Rio Grande River cuts its way into Big Bend National Park
through 1500 foot granite mountains!


Following the trail at Santa Elena Canyon, one can hike
at least a half mile into the canyon. 
The trail does a number of switchbacks to gain height.


Here the river is deeper and moves faster than at the
eastern end of the park.


Fossils from the Cretaceous period are common here.


The trail flattens out with a great river view!


Another view of the river below towering cliffs. The only cell
phone call I got this week was from Maria and I was standing 
right on this trail!


The trail then goes down to the river. This is about as far
as I can get without a boat!

 
Views looking up on both sides of the canyon.

 
Leaving the canyon under a full moon for the 46 mile trip back to Chisos Basin!

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