Big Bend Expedition Report - February 2007

[tdesanto]

I have been meaning to post up some pics of the BBNP trip that some buddies and I took in late March/early April.

We had a great trip this year. We took my 1985 FJ60, a 1985 CJ-7, and a 1975 FJ40. I also brought along my Canadian M101 trailer that I have restored and fitted with a Mombasa rooftop tent. Gear storage in the bottom and tent on top. It works like a dream on trips like this.

We started on the River Road and camped at Loop Camp 1 on the Rio. We also spent some time in Grapevine Hills, Terlingua, and Santa Elena Canyon. We really took our time this year on River Road and took some good pics and drank plenty of beer (and some water too). Anyway, here are some pics from the trip...

Sweet setup with the FJ60 and M101+Tent. We need to see a truck thread with more pictures of the build.

 

[cbmontgo]

Sweet setup with the FJ60 and M101+Tent. We need to see a truck thread with more pictures of the build.

Thanks! I am going to so some posting up as soon as I get this ARB/OME setup completed. I am hoping this will occur in the next two weeks or less.

The M101 was really a blast to "restore". These are very light and very capable trailers (this is the 1/4-ton Canadian model, not the 3/4-ton U.S. model M101).

 

[The BN Guy]

Hey I recognize a couple of those locations! Sounds like you had a good trip. Guess at some point we need to start talking about 2008.

 

[cbmontgo]

Here are a few more...

 

[The BN Guy]

I sure recognize Mule Ears! Saw it from both sides.

 

[cbmontgo]

Yeah, we saw the "ears" from all over the park. Very cool.

I have been in Steamboat Springs, CO this week and noticed a mountain pass called "Rabbit Ears Pass" that looks very similar. I was wheelin' this morning right by there. It reminded me of BBNP.

 

[flyingwil]

How was it trying to find a camping spot with the trailer? Some spots would be difficult like Robber Roost. It was a bit of a challenge with the Eez-Awn on my truck and 3 vehicles...

Note Tony's door in the Picture... and the Xterra was just to the right of the red chair.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

The Montero is an excellent vehicle. If I were rich, I'd have one of those too. I am suprised more people don't wheel them. Tony do a write up on that beast!

 

[tdesanto]

The Montero is an excellent vehicle. If I were rich, I'd have one of those too. I am suprised more people don't wheel them. Tony do a write up on that beast!

This is all I have at the moment: http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4782

Thanks!

TD

 

[texas taco]

Ready for a another trip?

Are you guys going to to going to Big Bend this fall or winter? I wanted to go last trip but could not.

 

[expoxj]

I'm going to be taking a similar trip this november over thanksgiving. I will spending about 5 days in the park. Any recomendations on what to see and what to bring? Better yet is anybody going to be in the park on the 19th through the 25th?

 

[RoundOut]

I'm going to be taking a similar trip this november over thanksgiving. I will spending about 5 days in the park. Any recomendations on what to see and what to bring? Better yet is anybody going to be in the park on the 19th through the 25th?

Looks like we're headed to Tulsa, but I'd sure love to join you.

Check out the road report before you head out any day. There has been an unseasonably large amount of rainfall this year, so it should still be pretty green.

Do you like to hike or just wheel? That determines what you should try to see.

 

[tdesanto]

I'm going to be taking a similar trip this november over thanksgiving. I will spending about 5 days in the park. Any recomendations on what to see and what to bring? Better yet is anybody going to be in the park on the 19th through the 25th?

I wish I could join you. I'm thinking about doing a trip in January or Februrary '08 and trying to make it an ExPo outing again.

You'll need warm clothes and a good sleeping bag. At the higher elevations in can get in the single digits at night. Even at the lower elevations (2K ft.) it can get in the teens after dark. No campfires allowed. Should be nice and warm during the day though.

1. Santa Elena Canyon
2. Grapevine Hills trail and balancing rock

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5405&d=1169767438
3. Boquillas Canyon trail
4. The window at the trail head of the Chisos mountains. Hikes into the Chisos are great too if you're up for it and have the time.
5. You should definitely stay at one of the campsites on either Pine Canyon road or Juniper Canyon Road. The sunrise against the Chisos is priceless. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5401&d=1169767347
6. River Road is nice too. There are some campsites right on the Rio Grande. Views from there to the Chisos are nice, but usually don't get the sunrise/sunset glow for photographs.
7. Plan one night along the Sierra del Carmen in the East. Also a beautiful part of the park. I believe the road is called Old Ore Rd; although, it's not labeled on the park map that's on the website.
8. Ernst Tinaja http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5403&d=1169767394
9. Finally, the campsite right by Nugent Mountain isn't difficult to get to (so no challenges or technical driving which might be boring for some); however, the sunrise against Nugent Mountain is also great for photographs. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=5404&d=1169767412

 

[The BN Guy]

Ima raring to go Tony! Just gotta find a different trailer to pull Stormy on. That or take off an extra day or so.

 

[expoxj]

Thanks guys I really apreciate the info. I will be wheeling the river road and hopefully black gap and old ore. I'll make sure be packing warm and checking the road conditions before I go.