Along the Black Gap Road
Our 5th day started with another cool morning. We had a simple breakfast of oatmeal with raisins, nuts and topped with honey. With our gear loaded and the tent stowed we started out on the trail at 9:00 am.
For today we headed south on the River Road East. After 8 miles we came to our first option; head south on River Road, or take the Glen Springs road east to Glen Springs and Black Gap road. We chose to head east on the Glen Springs road for 7 miles to Glen Springs and the start of the more technical Black Gap road.
The View from Loop Camp
We stopped at Glen Springs to check out the site of the old wax factory. All that remains is a few foundations and piles of stones. When Big Bend was created the park service demolished a many of the historic structures to return the desert to its original state. With today’s philosophy of historic preservation this destruction never would have happened.
Climbing the Black Gap
From Glen Springs we headed south on Black Gap road. The ranger we asked about road conditions warned us off this road which, for us, was an invitation to take the challenge. Black gap is known as the most technical road in the Big Bend back country. The route winds around the west side of Talley Mountains through a number of small valleys. There is one section where the road climbs up through a cut known as Black Gap. This is the most difficult section where there is a 3 foot sloped ledge leading onto a concrete lined section. Our Toyota FJ Cruiser had no problem climbing this ledge with the trailer in tow. Once up this section the road opened up and after a few miles rejoined the river road. Black Gap road is about 8.2 miles long.
LJ Behind the Wheel
We headed back east about 2.7 miles to check out the old Mariscal Mine site where mercury was mined and refined. The site has been left intact with the original works still standing. The mine site is accessed with a short hike.
Mariscal Mine
Leaving Mariscal we headed back west on the River Road. With the road passing through open desert country it gave LJ a chance to get behind the wheel a practice her back country driving skills. After 12 miles on the River Road we reach our turn south to the Loop Camp. Loop Camp is 3.5 miles off the River Road right on the banks of the Rio Grand. The camp was the most isolated of our whole trip and a great place to experience the lunar eclipse.
Loop Camp
Reaching camp in the early afternoon allowed plenty of time to relax and enjoy the wonderful desert scenery.
Additional Photos