A fantastic clear morning with a great sunrise greeted us on our sixth day in Bid Bend. Starting the day with blueberry pancakes made the morning even better. As was sun was rising to the east the full moon was seting to the west, the kind of view that we spend time in the out back wishing for.
Moon set
We broke camp at about 9:00 am and headed west on the River Road West. This section of road is considered to be the more difficult section of the River Road. Other than a little loose sand we encountered no difficulty, however high clearance is require and 4wd recommended.
Group Photo Time
The drive west followed the Rio Grande with a view of the massive Sierra Ponce escarpment to the south. We made it to the ranger station at Castolon by 10:30 and made a short stop to visit the store and report a herd of trespass cattle the we saw on the drive out to the ranger.
Display at Castolon
Leaving Castolon and heading west one can’t miss the massive Santa Elena Canyon cutting its way through the escarpment. There is a trail that heads into the mouth of the canyon making for a short hike.
Santa Elena Canyon
At the trail head we Parked in some shade to keep the FJ and Triss cool. The trail crosses a large wash and then climbs up the righthand canyon wall. The trail provides a spectacular view of the river flowing out of the canyon. The trail then descends back to the bank of the Rio Grande in the interior of the canyon. This is a spectacular place with the high canyon walls looming overhead.
Cerro Castellan
Back at the car it was time to head out of the park. We took Old Maverik Road, another maintained dirt track, to the west entrance of Big Bend.
Leaving the park we made a stop at Terlingua for fuel and then headed west along State Highway 170. The scenery along this highway was spectacular with great views of the Rio Grande and the canyons that is passes through. The road climbs and descends through side canyons that flowing out of Big Bend Ranch State Park.
At our lunch break in Terlingua a fellow traveler told us of a hot spring called Chinati. We decided to make this our destination for the night. The hot spring is way off the beaten path west of Presedio Texas. We arrived at the springs a little before dark tired and ready a a long soak.