Big Bend NP Expedition Report 2/27/08-3/2/08

[flyingwil]

Ever wonder how tony gets such good shots?

LOL...
This is on the trail to the hot springs in BiBe

 

[tdesanto]

Thanks for the trip report.

I am heading to Big Bend in two days. I have never been there before, any advice?

How are the wildflowers looking this year?

Only saw 2 bluebonnets the whole time we were there. Not enough rainfall. Maybe a couple weeks later might help your chances.

Items to see:

1. Balanced Rock
2. Santa Elena Canyon
3. Boquillas Canyon
4. East side of Chisos Mountains (Juniper Canyon, Pine Canyon, Glenn Springs Roads are all good places)
5. Mariscal Mine
6. Chisos Basin

That should keep you busy for several days. Plan for hot days and cold nights--so bring both kinds of clothes.

You've got an awesome looking set up Tony. The AT really compliments the Montero. Congratulations

Thank you very much!

Right on Tony!!!!

Great trip report!!

Love the setup!!!!!

Can't wait to see it at this years ET!!!!!

Your coming right?

Right now, I am planning on attending ET again. Thanks for the compliments.

Ever wonder how tony gets such good shots?

Thank you for the compliment. That's a funny shot isn't it?

Nice write up!

Next time make sure and send me an e-mail in advance and maybe I can join you guys.... Wait, maybe that was the point, huh?

Dude, sorry about that. I certainly didn't mean to leave you off the list. Due to the trailer ETA being somewhat unknown I was unable to do a better job of planning. I wish I could have waited a few weeks longer to do a better job, but I just had to get that thing out there and try it.

 

[westexasrepublic]

ROFSheriffHL: Awsome! its pictures and adventure like this, that make me want to go to Big Bend....Im new to the "expidition" type thing, but not the the outdoors. Im actually planning several camping trips throughout all of central Texas and looking to end the summer with a finally at Big Bend sometime in September. Anyway Hi from San Angelo, Tx. Ill be around here more often to post my adventures and hopefully gather some knowledge.
Thanks, Ruben

 

[tdesanto]

ROFSheriffHL: Awsome! its pictures and adventure like this, that make me want to go to Big Bend....Im new to the "expidition" type thing, but not the the outdoors. Im actually planning several camping trips throughout all of central Texas and looking to end the summer with a finally at Big Bend sometime in September. Anyway Hi from San Angelo, Tx. Ill be around here more often to post my adventures and hopefully gather some knowledge.
Thanks, Ruben

Welcome to Expedition Portal. Glad to see another Texan join up.

Let me know if you have any questions about BBNP.

Good luck on your adventures throughout Central TX.

Cheers,

TD

 

[p1michaud]

Trailer break in...

Tony,
Super write up and pics of course. So how did the rig feel with the new addition?
Cheers,
P

 

[westexasrepublic]

well the main thing Ive been hearing is the cost of stuff out that way...Like gas and groceries...recommend a near by town to fill up and stock up before I enter the park, or what do you think?

Welcome to Expedition Portal. Glad to see another Texan join up.

Let me know if you have any questions about BBNP.

Good luck on your adventures throughout Central TX.

Cheers,

TD

 

[cbmontgo]

well the main thing Ive been hearing is the cost of stuff out that way...Like gas and groceries...recommend a near by town to fill up and stock up before I enter the park, or what do you think?

From what I remember, gas was about 20 to 30 cents/gallon higher in the park than what you'd pay in a city. I don't recall groceries being more expensive...

I think we filled up at Ft. Stockton last year and then again later that week near Terlingua. What a great place!

 

[tdesanto]

Tony,
Super write up and pics of course. So how did the rig feel with the new addition?
Cheers,
P

Well, I didn't notice it too much, except the really, really steep hill climb to get to the chisos basin. I had to drop all the way down to 1st and 2nd gears.

Also, dropped from about 16 mpg's to about 11 mpg's . That's a lot of dough to spend on gas for getting to and from such a remote area. I figure I spent around $5-600 on fuel alone.

The issue is probably due to the fact that I added larger tires to the Monty without a regear and the fact that it was mostly uphill all the way there. I couldn't keep it in 5th gear. Mostly ran the trip down there in 4th. Having the Scanguage II was painful.

Love the trailer though.

 

[tdesanto]

well the main thing Ive been hearing is the cost of stuff out that way...Like gas and groceries...recommend a near by town to fill up and stock up before I enter the park, or what do you think?

Sure, that's about right. I filled up in Ft. Stockton.

The other way to look at it is supporting the local businesses some too. I didn't mind paying the extra 20-30 cents/gallon (what is that about $5 extra per tank?) due to the fact that they paid the extra just to get it out there.

 

[Overland Hadley]

Only saw 2 bluebonnets the whole time we were there. Not enough rainfall. Maybe a couple weeks later might help your chances.

Items to see:

1. Balanced Rock
2. Santa Elena Canyon
3. Boquillas Canyon
4. East side of Chisos Mountains (Juniper Canyon, Pine Canyon, Glenn Springs Roads are all good places)
5. Mariscal Mine
6. Chisos Basin

That should keep you busy for several days. Plan for hot days and cold nights--so bring both kinds of clothes.

Thank you for the information.

We leave for Big Bend in ten minutes!

 

[tdesanto]

Thank you for the information.

We leave for Big Bend in ten minutes!

Man, I wish I were going with you. I wanna go back already.

 

[preacherman]

hey westexasrepublic, I am not that far from you. I am in Midland. As Tony said we where in Big Bend this past weekend. It was a great time. We need to connect sometime to go wheeling.

 

[Willman]

Also, dropped from about 16 mpg's to about 11 mpg's . That's a lot of dough to spend on gas for getting to and from such a remote area. I figure I spent around $5-600 on fuel alone.

:Wow1:

Holy crap Tony......Thats alot of coin..........

$5-$600 seems high........

...maybe you have a lead foot!!!!

:roost:

 

[p1michaud]

Trailer towing

:Wow1:

Holy crap Tony......Thats alot of coin..........

$5-$600 seems high........

...maybe you have a lead foot!!!!

:roost:

I was thinking that. It may be time for the rig to see some new gears!

Happy it worked well for you.

Cheers,
P

 

[preacherman]

Gas was 3.70 in the park and 3.50 at marathon, so that was part of it. The other was the gear issue he mentioned. Driving out he had a really bad headwind (20-25 mph) and with the big tires and 3,000lb trailer I think he said he got like 10-11mph. It was brutal. My Montero fully loaded avg 15 off road and 17 hwy (thats with a roof top tent) but the 3.70 a gal gas was painful.