preacherman
Explorer
This week I decided work sucks...ok I decided that a long time ago, I just had a reminder this week. So any who, I moved to West Texas 10 months ago and have not yet been to Big Bend since I moved here. (I used to go all the time in High school) So I took off Thursday and jumped down with the jeep for a quick weekend solo trip. I needed some quite time to clear my head.
I left Thursday morning and to my surprise it only took me 3 hours to get to BB from Midland. After checking in, dropping the top on the jeep, and looking over different options, I decided to take the river road over to the Mariscal mine and camp at the Fresno campsite (one of the more secluded sites I could find). I got there before dark and set up camp. I love the desert at night but this camp was QUITE! I realized just how “backcountry” I was. I could see over 20 miles in every direction and I could not find one sign of civilization. In the morning I got up early and watched the sun rise over the Serra Del Carmen just over the river. Around noon I went over to the mine to poke around and meet the first people I had seen since 10am the previous day. I talked with them for a while and decide to go to my next site just to the base of the Chisos Mts in Pine Canyon. I drove up the Black Gap road and stopped several time to take pictures and poke around.
The black gap road is really interesting. I have done harder trails but not by myself in such a remote location. I only saw two other 4x4’s all day. The majority of the trail is easy and tame but there are a few spots that make you think. I really would not want to be pulling a trailer by myself on this road. After the black gap I jumped over to the Glenn Spring road and then over to pine canyon road and my campsite at pine canyon. I spent my 2nd night at pine canyon just at the base of the Chisos.
After going to bed early I was shook awake at 5am by a violent one time wind gust. After looking outside I noticed something so I got dressed and went out of my tent. Above me was the most spectacular night time display of stars I have ever seen. The moon was gone and it was just me and 10 million stars. I set outside and watched the stars until sunrise at 7am. In two hours I counted almost 20 shooting stars and countless constellations. It was just what I needed to clear my head.
While backcountry solo trips are not for everyone, if you are prepared and comfortable with your skills, then I highly recommend one to clear the cobwebs so to say.
I will post pictures later to night. I gotta run.
I left Thursday morning and to my surprise it only took me 3 hours to get to BB from Midland. After checking in, dropping the top on the jeep, and looking over different options, I decided to take the river road over to the Mariscal mine and camp at the Fresno campsite (one of the more secluded sites I could find). I got there before dark and set up camp. I love the desert at night but this camp was QUITE! I realized just how “backcountry” I was. I could see over 20 miles in every direction and I could not find one sign of civilization. In the morning I got up early and watched the sun rise over the Serra Del Carmen just over the river. Around noon I went over to the mine to poke around and meet the first people I had seen since 10am the previous day. I talked with them for a while and decide to go to my next site just to the base of the Chisos Mts in Pine Canyon. I drove up the Black Gap road and stopped several time to take pictures and poke around.
The black gap road is really interesting. I have done harder trails but not by myself in such a remote location. I only saw two other 4x4’s all day. The majority of the trail is easy and tame but there are a few spots that make you think. I really would not want to be pulling a trailer by myself on this road. After the black gap I jumped over to the Glenn Spring road and then over to pine canyon road and my campsite at pine canyon. I spent my 2nd night at pine canyon just at the base of the Chisos.
After going to bed early I was shook awake at 5am by a violent one time wind gust. After looking outside I noticed something so I got dressed and went out of my tent. Above me was the most spectacular night time display of stars I have ever seen. The moon was gone and it was just me and 10 million stars. I set outside and watched the stars until sunrise at 7am. In two hours I counted almost 20 shooting stars and countless constellations. It was just what I needed to clear my head.
While backcountry solo trips are not for everyone, if you are prepared and comfortable with your skills, then I highly recommend one to clear the cobwebs so to say.
I will post pictures later to night. I gotta run.