Let's go to Big Bend!

Planning thread, you know why you're here.

---Update---

6/28/2017: Due to medical appointments and participation some community activities we will have to choose October as our trip date.

October 5th - 14th is the date we have tentatively set for the trip.

Hopefully this gives people plenty of time to plan, decide if they want to go, and schedule time off. More to come soon.

-----Original Post-----

Katie and I (and possibly Ford, we aren't sure yet) are planning on making this trip sometime this year. Considering the heat, we'll likely shoot for October / November. The problem is, as you all likely know, late Nov - Dec are pretty hectic and hard to schedule, so earlier in Oct is better, even if it's hotter.

Our travel time will be probably Thursday / Friday - Sunday of the next week, it's a 2 day drive there, and 2 day drive back, so consider that. It might be do-able in one day, but it's about 750 miles from where I live, and I've done about 600 mile days before, and they sucked.

Also, I know we are a wheeling-centric group, and we will certainly explore some, and do the roads there (Black Gap, etc), but we'll also be there to camp, hike and take pictures. This is not a wheeling-specific trip.

Finally, there may be times when the group splits to do different activities.

This is a trip Katie and I are planning, but haven't set anything down yet. Many of you are already doing trips this year and might not want to overbook yourselves. No offense taken if you bow out. For everyone else, throw out some ideas.

 

Been wanting to go here for a long time.

 

@ChadsPride

 

Is this open to other Texas folks? My GF and i have been planning for a trip to BB and wanted to join others.

 

Sure, I'll update the thread to describe the plan in a moment.

 

in

 

My GF will like that this is not a completely wheeling oriented trip. This will be our first trip and so doing a variety of things is cool by us. Are you thinking BBNP or BBRSP or both?

 

Also up for debate, maybe stay at both if we have time or at least explore both some.

 

I may or may not be in for this depending on what my future employment possibilities are.

 

Quite understandable.

 

Darn. Going wheeling at the end of the month, so my vacation time is tied up there.

Guess I'm left going around Christmas time again.

 

I think I can make the second half of this trip work and possibly meet up on the trail with y'all if that's cool... taking a ton of time off in August so we shall see what I have left over.

 

I'll certainly keep the updates coming so people who are able to join can plan their participation. Will give a more detailed update soon now that a date is nailed down.

 

Where you going wheeling?

 

I will say that if you are trying to plan a trip that involves more than 5 rigs.... it is going to get hectic possibly and you will end up splitting up during the day.

Just ask @Zac of all trades and our trip to Big Bend back in April. Most Back Country sites are restricted to 2 trucks each, like one is 3...

But back country is back country... sooooo yea. What happens in the back country stays in the back country.

You should be able to see pretty much 90% off what you need to in BBNP in 3 days/4 nights, at least I was able to. Unless you plan on hiking A LOT. I could have spent one more day there, but did not see the need to as we had seen what we wanted and were ready to head back.

Day one we got to the park at like 1pm or so I think, registered and got our permits, then did Black Gap Road to our first camp site (Talley) on the river/border and set up camp.

Day two we packed up camp and went and did the Mariscal Canyon Hike starting around 10:30 or so, not sure when we finished that honestly, but we then did some driving and went and explored the Mariscal Mine for a bit, then continued down the back country road towards the Hot Springs and stopped there for a bit. Finally ended up in Rio Grande to shower, refuel, and then back on the road towards Pine Canyon campsites. Got there and setup camp, unsure on time though, but still had light to be able to setup camp.

Day three, packed up camp and headed back into Panther Junction and bathroom break, got cell service, and then back on the road and went into the Chisos Basin to see what all was there and explore a bit, I myself broke off from the group as we wanted to go to the Lodge and such there and the others wanted to head towards the Santa Elena Canyon. I got back on the road and then took the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive and stopped at every overlook and such on the way to get out, take pictures, take in the views. Finally got to Santa Elena Canyon and explored there for a while. Once we were done there, decided to go to Terilingua and check out the town there and such. Got to the third camp (Terilingua Abajo) in time for dinner and so forth and ended up getting back on the road that night instead of waiting until the morning as we were ready to head on back.

I am wanting to go back, but I would not be able to do this trip as this is when I am planning a New Mexico/Colorado/Moab trip that would start on the 12th. Don't think I could swing adding this on in the beginning. Would be a sweeeeet trip though!

But if you need any help planning, feel free to ask questions.

I will say that the campsites that we got which we kinda had no choice... in my opinion were pretty much awesome and perfect. They let us see the entire park pretty much in a big loop.

 

BMRA.

 

You can not pre plan any campsites, you will just have to show up and see what is available. If you do have more than 3 rigs in the party you will have to get camp sites that are close to each because they will not let you have more than the allowed amount of cars at a camp site. Also everyone that is going to be in your group has to be there in order for you to reserve the spots. So if everyone does not show up at the same time then you will be waiting around till they show up...

We went in april which is their most visited month so that made it a bit more challenging also.

 

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Tentatively interested

 

Requested the days off!!!!