Our next trip was to Big Bend, N.P. in Texas. We intended to do both hiking in the desert and canoeing the Rio Grande river. Except for the first day we had a great weather, not too warm and not cold either. We spent 3 days on the river, floating through Colorado canyon and the spectacles St. Elena canyon. We hiked in Chisos Mountains and in Sierra del Carmen.
Map of the park
Chico Mountains and the surrounding desert.
There was vegetation in the mountains, although very subtropical specious.
Also many blue jays.
The view from South Rim - the very south edge of Chico Mountains is spectacles. A big desert reaching far behind the border into Mexico is in front of you. Even the river itself can be seen, as it makes its "big bend" through the desert. The view below is in southeast direction. Mountains at the horizon are in Mexico.
Our first canoe trip was north of the national Park, in Colorado canyon.
Many small turtles are evidently thriving in the river.
The river, the desert and a road.
There are no picture documents of are success in the Colorado canyon, but I have to admit that we flipped over several times. The Colorado Canyon was a good half day trip to get acquainted with our canoe, the river and most importantly with our abilities. The next exciting two days trip was to Santa Elena Canyon, the deepest and most spectacles canyon in the park. Below is the lower end of the canyon.
It was an overnight trip and sleeping in desert below rocky cliffs was exciting.
One of the many views on cactuses we had during the trip. Also note the hawk.
We had an interesting story on the river before entering St. Elena canyon. From time to time, we saw wild horses on both sides of the river. Once we saw one that looked like lying in the water close to Mexican shore. When we got closer, we realized that he was stuck in the mud. The horse could move at all. There was nobody around at all and there was small chance that somebody would appear in next several hours. Therefore, we had to help him alone. We used ropes from our canoe and after thirty minutes of struggling with both the horse and the mud, we managed to pull the pour animal to safety. Fortunately, the horse did not looked harmed, he was only very week. Instead of saying thank you and waiting for me to take a picture, he left to hide from the sun. At the end we were about the same muddy as the horse.
Entrance of St. Elena canyon.
At some places the river seemed to be running steeply down the hill. But when we stopped paddling to keep the speed down, the canoe stopped.
The biggest danger for canoeists in the St. Elena canyon is "Rock Slide". It is a big labyrinth created by fallen rock from the canyon cliffs. When the water is high, it can become class IV rapid. This time the water was law and equipped with experiences from Colorado canyon we made it through without difficulties (unlike several rafters in front of us).
One more picture of the canyon. It is very narrow and very deep.
Also hawks and vultures are flying over the river (and the canoeists).
And finally, after two days the canyon ends and the vast desert is again ahead.
Just desert.
In the southeast part of the park we saw many cactuses in blossoms.
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Sierra del Carmen mountains at sunset.
And our last night camp in the mountains, among cactuses.
Created 1998 by Marek Brejl
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