roverrocks
Expedition Leader
That bison burger and fries look to die for. I can smell it. All your pictures are nice. I've got to get to Big Bend someday.
Family Road Trip to Big Bend
- Thread starter PetitFrereArmada
- Start date
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Thanks a lot. This is a really nice place. But they do say, there is nothing out here, just wilderness, driving trails and hiking trails.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today, we had a buffet breakfast at the hotel and it was really great. Left from there and headed to the trails. I did all the trails today;
1- Old Ore Road (The toughest and gave me most pin stripes. It was challenging)
2- River Road (The easiest. I believe even my Nissan Maxima can do this easy)
3- Glend Spring Road (The level of difficulty was a real mixture between the 2 above. Some really easy places and a few really challenging spots, but a lot fewer than Old Ore Rd)
4- Black Gap (I ventured on it and I was intimidated. I backed up and made a u turn, after burning tire trying to backup a hill so as not to completely go down a hill that I was not sure I could make it up. In my opinion, this is the hardest trail of all trails here at Big Bend)
1- Old Ore Road (The toughest and gave me most pin stripes. It was challenging)
2- River Road (The easiest. I believe even my Nissan Maxima can do this easy)
3- Glend Spring Road (The level of difficulty was a real mixture between the 2 above. Some really easy places and a few really challenging spots, but a lot fewer than Old Ore Rd)
4- Black Gap (I ventured on it and I was intimidated. I backed up and made a u turn, after burning tire trying to backup a hill so as not to completely go down a hill that I was not sure I could make it up. In my opinion, this is the hardest trail of all trails here at Big Bend)
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Old Ore Road. This was a really great drive, but quite challenging since my Armada is 2 wheel drive. I had to engage it a lot in what I refer as its own 4wd. By putting it in 1 and turning vdc off.
The only car we met on the trail. A 4x4 Yukon, pulling a uhaul trailer. We were glad we met them here fr there are too many tight spots that 2 vehicles cannot do this on the trail. So, if you find yourself in one of those places, I don't know how long it will take you guys to make way for each other.
The only car we met on the trail. A 4x4 Yukon, pulling a uhaul trailer. We were glad we met them here fr there are too many tight spots that 2 vehicles cannot do this on the trail. So, if you find yourself in one of those places, I don't know how long it will take you guys to make way for each other.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
River Road. Very easy drive. I believe so easy, my Nissan Maxima can do this.
Glen Springs. Easier than Ole Road, but definitely challenging at some spots. But my 4x2 Armada did the job. So, this si doable in a 2 wheel drive vehicle with good clearance.
Glen Springs. Easier than Ole Road, but definitely challenging at some spots. But my 4x2 Armada did the job. So, this si doable in a 2 wheel drive vehicle with good clearance.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Black Gap
This hill alongside the other pics that follow were enough to discourage me from venturing this trail. I backed up while halfway down this hill. I had to burn rubber to get back uphill. But made it ok. And made a u turn.
This hill alongside the other pics that follow were enough to discourage me from venturing this trail. I backed up while halfway down this hill. I had to burn rubber to get back uphill. But made it ok. And made a u turn.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
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SmoothLC
Explorer
And that's the way some of us like it! Gotta get out there some day like roverrocks wrote.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
Today, we went to do Old Maverick Road, but it was closed due to flooding. So there were some pretty bad spots that they deemed would get a lot of vehicles stuck. So, they closed it down.
We did the Ross Maxwell Scenic drive and it was great. Greatly recommend.
We did the Ross Maxwell Scenic drive and it was great. Greatly recommend.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
You are definitely correct. I can't believe how much fun we have had so far on this trip. We plan to come again when I can get 4 days off work again.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
At the end of the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive is the Santa Elena Canyon Trail. A must do. We had to cross the river and climb the rocks. The river was a little high and it was just above our knees. This hike was great. And when you get to the top and get on the other side, you can see 2 huge boulders that fell. The sight is just one of a kind. We met a couple of people there. Some did not know how to get across and we had to give them directions by shouting from the top of the mountains, telling them to take off their tennis shoes and cross the river which is knee high. We got a total of 8 people in 3 separate groups across like this. And they were grateful because it was really confusing them seeing us up the mountains, but no apparent path on how we got there.
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PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
From there, we went to Castolon Historic Area. Great place to stop at. Do not miss it.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
From there we were about too head to cross the border to Mexico (Boquillas Crossing). We were going to use the River Road trail. But the lady BEGGED us not to do it. We were surprised since we had driven some of it yesterday. Well, starting from this end is tougher and 4wd is required, though I still wanted to brave it if not that the road was blocked because they deemed conditions to be very bad and impassable. The drive is about 56 miles to do the whole of the River Trail and from what we found out, it takes about 8 hours to 12 hours to complete. I would like to know how long it took someone who has done the whole 56 miles in one stretch. I plan to do it if I ever come back to Big Bend. And I plan to come back the next time I can make time.
I did a little bit of this trail and it is indeed challenging, but my Armada did good. But since it was closed and we did not want to do the whole trail and it taking us more than 6 hours or the 8 hours to 12 hours they talked about, we decided to stay on the real highway and made the 56 miles journey in an hour 20 mins. Using the highway, not offroading.
I did a little bit of this trail and it is indeed challenging, but my Armada did good. But since it was closed and we did not want to do the whole trail and it taking us more than 6 hours or the 8 hours to 12 hours they talked about, we decided to stay on the real highway and made the 56 miles journey in an hour 20 mins. Using the highway, not offroading.
PetitFrereArmada
Explorer
We got to Boquillas Crossing, the crossing into Mexico. This was a real adventure and a first for us. You should do this, if ever in the area. Make sure you take cash only, as they love, want and need our money. This place is so poor. I felt sorry every time I talked to any of them. Those people there live a really tough life. They have solar panels, but the whole town sleeps outside at night. I mean, this is no joke. They put their bed and mattresses out and sleep outside because they say it is cooler to be outside than in the house.
More information about crossing the Boquillas Crossing
http://discoverboquillas.wordpress.com/boquillas-border-crossing-faqs/
US port of entry at Boquillas Crossing. We had to go through this office to get to the Mexican side. Going to Mexico, they don't have to check our documents. They just gave us tips or told us what to expect over there and asked us to be back before 6pm or we wuld be stuck in Mexico until the next day. Take this seriously.
We get to Mexico by getting on the row boat owned by Mexicans to do this 2 minute row in the boat. It costs $5 for a round trip for each person. This river is probably waist deep to cross over, but this is their source of income for the locals there. S, we boarded.
Victor collects the money. And as you guys are crossing, you hear him singing. When you meet him, he asks for tips for the songs and asks if you have any songs you would like him to sing for you.
We got 3 tickets. And they asked us not to lose it and show it on our way out.
After paying and getting your tickets, they ask you if you want to ride in a car or on a donkey or a horse, for the 1 mile journey to the immigration office where you check in and then free to go shopping, drinking and eating.
You can tell we choosed the car. And yes, this is how we traveled.
And this is how dirty the bed of the truck is.
More information about crossing the Boquillas Crossing
http://discoverboquillas.wordpress.com/boquillas-border-crossing-faqs/
US port of entry at Boquillas Crossing. We had to go through this office to get to the Mexican side. Going to Mexico, they don't have to check our documents. They just gave us tips or told us what to expect over there and asked us to be back before 6pm or we wuld be stuck in Mexico until the next day. Take this seriously.
We get to Mexico by getting on the row boat owned by Mexicans to do this 2 minute row in the boat. It costs $5 for a round trip for each person. This river is probably waist deep to cross over, but this is their source of income for the locals there. S, we boarded.
Victor collects the money. And as you guys are crossing, you hear him singing. When you meet him, he asks for tips for the songs and asks if you have any songs you would like him to sing for you.
We got 3 tickets. And they asked us not to lose it and show it on our way out.
After paying and getting your tickets, they ask you if you want to ride in a car or on a donkey or a horse, for the 1 mile journey to the immigration office where you check in and then free to go shopping, drinking and eating.
You can tell we choosed the car. And yes, this is how we traveled.
And this is how dirty the bed of the truck is.
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