Category: Hikes

Big Bend Hikes: Long Chisos Basin Loop

My last hike before ending my season at Big Bend had to be one more walk in the Chisos Basin. Since I’m in training for a long walk in France, I chose to do the long loop around the top of the basin –… Continue Reading “Big Bend Hikes: Long Chisos Basin Loop”

Big Bend Hikes – Blue Creek Trail

If you’re looking for something a little different and less travelled, the Blue Creek Trail has a lot to offer. The trail starts in the Blue Creek wash near the Homer Wilson Ranch ruins and climbs up into the Chisos Mountains – from desert… Continue Reading “Big Bend Hikes – Blue Creek Trail”

Big Bend Flowers

Towards the end of January, we drove to a small parking area along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to hike down the wash that leads to Horseshoe Canyon. I was so surprised to find some plants in bloom!! The above rock nettle was cascading… Continue Reading “Big Bend Flowers”

Big Bend Hikes: Balanced Rock

It’s been a long time since I posted. My cell data speed took a beating last month when I was trying to watch some FIFA soccer matches! So, had to wait until it reset with the monthly turnover! 🙂 One of my favorite short… Continue Reading “Big Bend Hikes: Balanced Rock”

Big Bend Hikes: Pine Canyon Trail

Thanksgiving Day in Big Bend National Park started off crisp and clear, eventually warming up in time for a nice mid-day hike into Pine Canyon. The Pine Canyon Trail starts at the end of Pine Canyon Road and is reached via 6 miles of… Continue Reading “Big Bend Hikes: Pine Canyon Trail”

Big Bend Flora 11.9.22

Another beautiful red-flowered perennial blooming in the Chisos Mountains is the Ipomopsis aggregata. I found this little gem along the Lost Mine Trail – a popular 5-mile out and back trail near the Chisos Basin. It’s one of my favorite hikes in the park… Continue Reading “Big Bend Flora 11.9.22”

Big Bend Flora 11.2.2022

Hiking the upper part of the Lost Mine Trail in the Chisos Mountains last week, I came upon the showy, bright red, tubular flowers of Salvia regla or Mountain Sage. Often blooming in the spring and, again in the fall, the flowers are attractive… Continue Reading “Big Bend Flora 11.2.2022”

Crater Lake Finale

We embarked on our final day trip to Crater Lake this past week before leaving the Northern California area. For some reason, the dead tree trunks with their twisted roots and branches kept catching my eye along the trail! We hiked part of the… Continue Reading “Crater Lake Finale”

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway Part III Vol. 2

On our second day trip to Crater Lake a week later, the weather was considerably different. There was a heat advisory in effect and the sky was very hazy with lots of thunderstorms moving through the Cascades. Unfortunately, we did not get an early… Continue Reading “Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway Part III Vol. 2”

Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway Part III Vol. 1

The next leg of our journey exploring the entire Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway took us to the amazing Crater Lake National Park. We picked up the byway in Fort Klamath and traveled Route 62 to the turn off for Crater Lake. The byway circumnavigates… Continue Reading “Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway Part III Vol. 1”