We were expecting to do two hikes on this day since we had receovered from the big South
Rim hike two days ago. We started off at the Chimneys Hike on the desert floor west of
the Chisos at sunrise. Doing so kept the Sun off of us for several hours and even then
the October weather made things very pleasant.
We saw one Rattle Snake cross our path during the hike. It cowered under a bush until it
was certain that we would not step on it. According to park rangers there have only been
4 snake bites in Big Bend in the last 20 years. So unless you go out of your way to mess
with them the odds of being bitten are very small.
On the drive back to the hotel for a rest we stopped by the Homer Wilson ranch. Homer
ran sheep in the shadow of the Chisos up until the mid 1940's when Big Bend became a park.
His ranch house, corral and other structures are being preseved by the park.
After a nice rest we tackled the Basin Loop trail, which loops around the Basin area near
the hotel. Unlike the South Rim hike, this one did not venture far from the basin floor.
The view of the trail starting out. Following the worn path was sometimes difficult. |
The Ocotillo plant has leaves all over its limbs. These are shed during droughts to preserve water in the stalks. |
We crossed a few dry creekbeds along the trail. Most of them were bordered by heavier vegetation on either side. |
Our goal. The Chimneys are the remnants of a dike, harder rock that formed in the crevace of softer rock that has since eroded. |
We walked around the Chimneys for some time as we found some interesting rock formations, like this window. |
Remember Santa Elena Canyon? We could see it from here though it was miles and miles away. |
Here's another look at the chimneys. |
Penny had a great time climbing over the rocks looking for the Indian glyphs we had heard about. |
She also stopped now and then for a picture. |
Sometimes she'd only stop after reaching the top. |
We did eventually find the glyphs. Local Indians chipped a layer of rock off this surface to expose a lighter rock below. |
Nearby, we found what appeared to be a shelter of some sort. We confirmed with rangers that it was genuine. |
Another view of the shelter. |
Some grinding stones found in the shelter. |
The Chimney that included the glyph and shelter. |
On the trip back this Rattle Snake crossed our path. According to park rangers, snake bites are very rare in the park. |
Now we're headed back to the trailhead. The Chisos Mountains are in the background. |
Looking back at the Chimneys. |
On the way back to the hotel we did stop at an overlook with lots of Sotol. Penny gives you an idea of how tall they can be. |
Here I am next to the same Sotol. |
And here's the view that we stopped for. |
Homer Wilson ran sheep in the shadow of the Chisos until the mid 1940's when Big Bend became a park. His home is being preserved. |
The inside of the house is rather Spartan. |
A closer view of Homer's house. |
While driving we found this real, live Road Runner along the road. |
He did not stick around for too long, just enough to get a few photos. |
Our second hike of the day was the relatively short Basin Loop. |
Emory Peak in the background. Note that the smudge on my camera lens is now aparent. |
The Window. We'll be hiking there tomorrow. |
Ward Mountain in the background, if I'm not mistaken. |
The Basin Loop was a fairly easy hike, though some of it looks scary. |
