Colorado Canyon River Access

Colorado Canyon pull-off along Hwy 170, the scenic River Road, between Presidio and Lajitas is a favorite river access site, but is also a great place to pull off the road and enjoy the surroundings.

This section of the road runs through Big Bend Ranch State Park, which says this about Colorado Canyon:

"The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corridor is an easily accessible area of the park for day use, including rafting, canoeing and free bank fishing. Several river access points are found within the park along F.M. 170. Colorado Canyon includes Class II and Class III rapids. This section of the river is not considered dangerous under normal flow conditions. The walls of Colorado Canyon, unlike the limestone canyons of Big Bend National Park and the Lower Canyons, are composed entirely of igneous rock. Raft trips may be arranged through local outfitters in Terlingua and Study Butte."

Information on river trips offered by area outfitters, here!

Viva Big Bend Festival, July 24-27!

Make your plans NOW to attend the Viva Big Bend Festival later this month, taking place in Alpine, Marathon, Marfa and Fort Davis....and this year, the bonus shows at Lajitas on July 22 and 23!

Click HERE to purchase tickets!!
Click here for the schedule, July 24-27!

Viva Terlingua Fest!

Mark your calendar for a mid-August festival at the gateway to Big Bend, the Viva Terlingua Fest!  Scheduled all day for Thursday, August 14-Sunday, August 17 for the fun, as there will be music, film and visual arts at the Lajitas Golf Resort and the Starlight Theatre! 

Interested in entering your song, film or artwork?  Click on this link for more information!



From the festival organizers post on our calendar of events:  "There are two screening locations, one in Lajitas and one in Terlingua. The Flat Rock Theatre in Lajitas is set up as a small traditional movie theatre. There’s even a popcorn machine in the lobby. The Starlight Theatre has been the site of several indie film premieres—there is a screen that hangs at the back of the stage, PA system, and a full-service restaurant and bar.

Flat Rock Theatre, Lajitas

Enter your short film (less than 65 minutes) in the contest to win cash and prizes. The judges will be looking at your story and how well you tell it. You can submit your film digitally or on DVD. If you make the semi-finals and we screen your film, you’ll need to provide a DVD.

There are several art galleries in Terlingua and Lajitas, and the Starlight Theatre hosts regular art openings and photograph exhibits. That’s where the semi-finalists work will be displayed.
Terlingua has a thriving music scene. The Starlight Theatre and Lajitas Resort have hosted Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Restless Kelly, Butch Hancock, Greezy Wheels, Steve Fromholtz, Rambling Jack Elliot, and many others.
Enter your song in the songwriting by sending us an MP3 or CD. The level of production is up to you. Our judges will be focusing on the song. Do your lyrics tell your story? Does the melody fit that story? Semi-finalists will have the opportunity to present their songs live on stage at the Festival.
- See more at: http://texasmountaintrail.com/events/terlingualajitas-viva-terlingua-fest#sthash.Ral7u8G7.dpuf

There are two screening locations, one in Lajitas and one in Terlingua. The Flat Rock Theatre in Lajitas is set up as a small traditional movie theatre. There’s even a popcorn machine in the lobby. The Starlight Theatre has been the site of several indie film premieres—there is a screen that hangs at the back of the stage, PA system, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
Enter your short film (less than 65 minutes) in the contest to win cash and prizes. The judges will be looking at your story and how well you tell it. You can submit your film digitally or on DVD. If you make the semi-finals and we screen your film, you’ll need to provide a DVD.
There are several art galleries in Terlingua and Lajitas, and the Starlight Theatre hosts regular art openings and photograph exhibits. That’s where the semi-finalists work will be displayed.
Terlingua has a thriving music scene. The Starlight Theatre and Lajitas Resort have hosted Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Restless Kelly, Butch Hancock, Greezy Wheels, Steve Fromholtz, Rambling Jack Elliot, and many others.
Enter your song in the songwriting by sending us an MP3 or CD. The level of production is up to you. Our judges will be focusing on the song. Do your lyrics tell your story? Does the melody fit that story? Semi-finalists will have the opportunity to present their songs live on stage at the Festival.
- See more at: http://texasmountaintrail.com/events/terlingualajitas-viva-terlingua-fest#sthash.Ral7u8G7.dpuf

There are several art galleries in Terlingua and Lajitas, and the Starlight Theatre hosts regular art openings and photograph exhibits. That’s where the semi-finalists work will be displayed.

Terlingua has a thriving music scene. The Starlight Theatre and Lajitas Resort have hosted Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Restless Kelly, Butch Hancock, Greezy Wheels, Steve Fromholtz, Rambling Jack Elliot, and many others.

Enter your song in the songwriting by sending us an MP3 or CD. The level of production is up to you. Our judges will be focusing on the song. Do your lyrics tell your story? Does the melody fit that story? Semi-finalists will have the opportunity to present their songs live on stage at the Festival."

Click here to purchase tickets online!

Viva Big Bend is coming up soon!

For the first time, there will be shows in Lajitas as well as Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa and Marathon! Get your tickets now!

Visit the Viva Big Bend website for information on tickets, shows and venues! 

Combating Nature Deficit Disorder in the Texas Mountains

One of the greatest assets of the Texas Mountain Trail region is our deep connection to nature.  Above is a profound video (12 minutes long) from a young woman who speaks eloquently about the need for experience with the natural world.

Where can you connect yourself (and your kids) to nature?

Try--
El Paso's Keystone Heritage Park, Franklin Mountains State Park, Museum of Archaeology, Wyler Aerial Tramway
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Davis Mountains State Park
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center just outside Fort Davis
Marathon's Post Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Lajitas' Barton Warnock Visitor Center
Presidio's Fort Leaton State Historic Site
Big Bend National Park (if you're interested in outfitters for a guided experience, click here.)

A happy participant at
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center's
Toddle on the Wild Side
photo: Jessica Glasscock, CDRI

The book referenced in the video is Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv.  Read about it here.

Also, visit our events calendar for experiences and opportunities in our parks and natural areas...more parks and attractions are posting their events with us...www.texasmountaintrail.com/events !!

Big Bend's Big Hill

River Road looking west over the Rio Grande

Possibly one of the most scenic spots along one of the most scenic highways in the state of Texas is the Big Hill on Hwy 170.  Connecting Terlingua/Study Butte to Presidio, Hwy 170, also known as the River Road is a highlight of any visit to Big Bend.

National Geographic says this about the River Road:

"From Shafter, drive to Presidio and pick up signs for the River Road (FM-170); the 67-mile (108-kilometer) stretch between Presidio and Study Butte offers photo-worthy scenery along the way. On your right are glimpses of the usually muddy Rio Grande, its banks half hidden by cane. Local resident Bill MacLeod, author of River Road Vistas, recommends the following: "Stop at the top of Big Hill overlooking the Santana Basin for the single best view in the whole world."

And our friends at Lajitas cite the road's status as one of the 50 most scenic in the country (by Readers Digest) and a Top 20 Bucket List item by Texas Monthly! 

There's a great place to stop at the top of Big Hill to see the scenic vistas, both east and west.   Read more about the River Road on the Lajitas website, here. 

River Road looking east

Plenty of room for travelers to stop at the top, park the car,
and get out and enjoy the view

Bluebonnets blooming along Big Bend's River Road!

Taken Saturday along Hwy 170 on the River Road, which connects Terlingua to Presidio by the Rio Grande.  So many stands of beautiful bluebonnets!  Some of the best on were around Lajitas this weekend!

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest in February

The terrific folks at Desert Sports and Big Bend Ranch State Park are once again holding a GREAT mountain biking festival for beginners through expert riders, the Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest.  February 13-15, the trails in Big Bend Ranch State Park, Lajitas and Big Bend National Park will be explored with patient and skilled guides.  The event is a benefit for the Big Bend Trails Alliance, which does important development and maintenance work on the region's trails, so the modest festival fees are going to a good cause!

This year's ride menu is HERE.  The list includes kid's rides, rides on the state park's EPIC trail, short rides and long 2-day rides....there's something for everyone!

Want to sign up?  Sure you do!  Links to registration are on THIS page.

Last year, we enjoyed the interpretive ride (easy!) through the state park to the ruins of a modest ranching enterprise from the early part of the last century.

TPWD interpreter explains the significance of the homesite ruin
at Big Bend Ranch State Park along the ride route

Colorado Canyon, Along the River Road

Colorado Canyon pull-off along Hwy 170, the scenic River Road, between Presidio and Lajitas is a favorite river access site, but is also a great place to pull off the road and enjoy the surroundings.

This section of the road runs through Big Bend Ranch State Park, which says this about Colorado Canyon:

"The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corridor is an easily accessible area of the park for day use, including rafting, canoeing and free bank fishing. Several river access points are found within the park along F.M. 170. Colorado Canyon includes Class II and Class III rapids. This section of the river is not considered dangerous under normal flow conditions. The walls of Colorado Canyon, unlike the limestone canyons of Big Bend National Park and the Lower Canyons, are composed entirely of igneous rock. Raft trips may be arranged through local outfitters in Terlingua and Study Butte."

Information on river trips offered by area outfitters, here!

Save the Date: Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest!

Beginner, intermediate and advanced mountain bikers eager to ride our great Big Bend trails--including Big Bend Ranch State Park's EPIC ride (rated as such by the International Mountain Biking Association)--should put the Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest on their calendar for next year, February 13-15. 

We're definitely beginners and we had a terrific time on ride, accompanied by Texas Parks and Wildlife rangers, encouraging mountain bikers themselves.  They helped us see ruins of candelilla factories in the remote areas of Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the ruin of a rock house dating back to the 1890s.  We can't wait for this year's festival!

The Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest is already on our Texas Mountain Trail regional events calendar...along with lots of other fun things to do.  From our calendar listing:

"The fourth annual Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest will convene mountain-bikers of all skill levels for three days of trail adventures and social fun at Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend National Park, and the Lajitas Trails, February 13 – 15.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is partnering with Terlingua-based outfitter Desert Sports to produce Bike Fest as a fundraiser for the Big Bend Trails Alliance. Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa will host the event, with camping available at the resort’s Maverick Ranch RV Park. Post-ride fun each day will include keg parties, hooping, dinner and live music in laid-back Terlingua, and a chance to ride around on the Austin Bike Zoo’s fantastical bike creations.

With over 200 miles of multiuse and singletrack trails, including the only International Mountain Bike Association’s only “Epic” trail in Texas, Big Bend Ranch State Park has become a world-class mountain-biking destination. The Epic trail, which can be extended from 54 to 70 miles depending on a rider’s preference, is a favorite among Bike Fest riders. There is also a two-day Epic ride option, with an overnight stay and meals at the Sauceda Headquarters bunkhouse.

Bike Fest participation has grown year to year because there is something for everyone, and each day offers a variety of ride options, including the Rincon Loop ride, and the 18-mile Contrabando Loop and singletrack Dome Trail."

The fourth annual Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest will convene mountain-bikers of all skill levels for three days of trail adventures and social fun at Big Bend Ranch State Park, Big Bend National Park, and the Lajitas Trails, February 13 – 15.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is partnering with Terlingua-based outfitter Desert Sports to produce Bike Fest as a fundraiser for the Big Bend Trails Alliance. Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa will host the event, with camping available at the resort’s Maverick Ranch RV Park. Post-ride fun each day will include keg parties, hooping, dinner and live music in laid-back Terlingua, and a chance to ride around on the Austin Bike Zoo’s fantastical bike creations.
With over 200 miles of multiuse and singletrack trails, including the only International Mountain Bike Association’s only “Epic” trail in Texas, Big Bend Ranch State Park has become a world-class mountain-biking destination. The Epic trail, which can be extended from 54 to 70 miles depending on a rider’s preference, is a favorite among Bike Fest riders. There is also a two-day Epic ride option, with an overnight stay and meals at the Sauceda Headquarters bunkhouse.
Bike Fest participation has grown year to year because there is something for everyone, and each day offers a variety of ride options, including the Rincon Loop ride, and the 18-mile Contrabando Loop and singletrack Dome Trail.
- See more at: http://texasmountaintrail.com/events/big-bend-ranch-state-park-chihuahuan-desert-bike-fest#sthash.JxEsDvbq.dpuf

Check it out at www.texasmountaintrail.com/events

Travel Spotlight - the Rocking Chairs of the Historic Hotel Limpia

A Fort Davis institution, the historic Hotel Limpia offers
relaxing rocking chairs on every porch and veranda. What
better way to enjoy the quiet of the mountains!!

Come Anyway...Big Bend Alternatives

If you had plans to visit Big Bend in October, come anyway, despite the federal parks closures!  There are lodging and outfitter/adventure opportunities in Terlingua, Study Butte and Lajitas (www.visitbigbend.com is a GREAT resource) and Big Bend Ranch State Park is close by with PLENTY of room for visitors.  

Colorado Canyon River Access View
Big Bend Ranch State Park

Click for a closer view!
Hoo Doos along the River Road
Big Bend Ranch State Park

Why not visit the Terlingua Ghost Town Cemetery or the Starlight Theatre?  Now's the time to visit all those places near Big Bend...the places you've always wanted to try?

Riding to McGuirk's Dream, Part 1

TPWD's (and TMT board member) Linda Hedges
leads an interpretive hike to Casa Contrabando
during the Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest

Recently, we participated in the Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest down in Lajitas and Big Bend Ranch State Park.  We took the Festival's Contrabando Ride, 11+ miles in the state park, led by volunteers and knowledgable TPWD interpreters.  We headed north from Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center on Hwy 170, the River Road, up single and double-track trails into Big Bend Ranch State Park.  Halfway through our ride, we ended up at Contrabando Water Hole and the ruins of H.W. McGuirk's stone house from the late 1890s.

From TPWD:

"H.W. McGuirk began ranching in the area around 1885.  He expanded operations and moved his headquarters here to Contrabando Waterhole about 12 years later.   But water contamination in the spring, possibly poisoning, soon forced him to abandon this site and move to the Rio Grande, where he founded the community of Lajitas.



fireplace in the stone house ruin

Begun sometime during the late 1890s, the dwelling at Contrabando Waterhole began as a "patio"--a cleared area enclosed by a short, stacked stone wall.  The building was constructed within these defining perimeter walls, and consisted of 4 rooms built over the course of at least two building campaigns.  Both the original dwelling and the attached addition emply the same mazonry wall construction techniques, utilizing locally-collected native Boquillas flagstone in a random-laid patter, with a minimum of earth mortar used to stabilize the walls. 

 

There is evidence that, as the structure fell to ruin, efforts were made to reconstruct some of the walls using smaller rocks, tightly packed.  Though very little of the wood framing remains, one can see the location of the window and door openings."  

 

We loved visiting the Stone House ruin
on the Contrabando ride during the
Chihuhuan Desert Bike Fest.
Thanks to all, including Stonewear
Designs, for your rugged Echo Top!

Our BIG BIG thanks to all involved putting on the Festival, from TPWD and its staff from Big Bend Ranch State Park, Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center, and from across the state, Desert Sports, Big Bend Trail Alliance and many other dedicated volunteers and willing organizations.

 

 

Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest!

We are excited about the upcoming Chihuahuan Desert Bike Fest, when Lajitas Golf Resort and the Big Bend community (including Desert Sports) welcomes mountain bikers to the trail! Want to join in?  Mark February 14-16 on your calendar and sign up here!  Riders of all abilities are welcome!

Click here to view our cycling page with links to routes and cycle-friendly hotels!

Making last minute plans to participate in the Bike Fest?  The folks at Big Bend Resort  want you to know that they're offering Fest participants (who book a room with them)  a free (and fully loaded--bacon, eggs, sausage, grits, yoghurt, fruit, biscuits and gravy, etc!!) breakfast buffet.  What could be better than that!?!

Visit the Barton Warnock Center, Learn all about Big Bend!

One of the great places to learn about Big Bend is the Barton Warnock Environmental Education Center near Lajitas on the River Road, Hwy 170.  Stop in to get information about the region, or arrange for your entry to Big Bend Ranch State Park.

From the Center's website:

"Barton Warnock Visitor Center serves as the eastern visitor center for Big Bend Ranch State Park and is located near Lajitas. Permits for backpacking and camping (no hookups) at Big Bend Ranch State Park can be obtained at Barton Warnock or at Fort Leaton State Historic Site, the western visitor center for the park. Visitors can also purchase river-use permits, licenses, and information about the Big Bend region.

The new, renovated Interpretive Center, "Una Tierra - One Land," is the fruit of an international partnership effort of State and National park experts in Texas and the Mexican states of Coahuila and Chihuahua. The vast majority of information, including captions and text, is presented in both English and Spanish.
The Center presents an archeological, historical, and natural history profile of the Big Bend region. It houses a book store and gift shop. The book store includes guides for area interest, as well as books on the history and the natural environment of the Big Bend Region. The gift shop has a variety of T-shirts, post cards, and souvenirs."

Saddle/Paddle Adventure

Now's a great time to book adventures with outfitters in the Big Bend region, for a summer getaway or a fall excursion to our wild lands.  We've been reminiscing about a Saddle/Paddle trip we took with Lajitas Stables last summer.

Want to connect with your own adventure, whether a river trip or horseback riding, a jeep or ATV trip or mountain biking?  Visit Big Bend has a page of local outfitters and ideas for adventures in the Terlingua/Study Butte/Lajitas area.

Beautiful sunrise

Taken along the River Road Hwy 170 between Presidio and Lajitas.  So pretty!

Mountain Biking in Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Chihuahuan Dester Dirt Fest!

If you're not in Big Bend Ranch State Park, or at Lajitas this weekend, you're missing some great mountain biking!  That's because the park, Lajitas Golf Resort, Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Trails Alliance, and Desert Sports are hosting three days of EPIC mountain biking opportunities...for riders of all skill levels....the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest.


Today there's a kids ride of 7-10 miles, as well as rides of 15-20 miles, 20 and 30+ miles...something for everyone!

This has become an annual event, so stay tuned to the Desert Sports website or the Big Bend Ranch State Park website for information about future events!

Colorado Canyon River Access

Along the River Road, between Lajitas and Presidio, there's a lovely place to stop and view the Rio Grande.  A popular "put in" place for river trips, there's few places as beautiful as this. 

Big Bend Ranch State Park's website says this about the area: 

"The Rio Grande/Rio Bravo corridor is an easily accessible area of the park for day use, including rafting, canoeing and free bank fishing. Several river access points are found within the park along FM-170. Colorado Canyon includes Class II and Class III rapids. This section of the river is not considered dangerous under normal flow conditions. The walls of Colorado Canyon, unlike the limestone canyons of Big Bend National Park and the Lower Canyons, are entirely of igneous rock."

For a list of outfitters working on the river, click here.

Saddle/Paddle Tour of Big Bend!



 Over the next few days, we'll show you our recent one day Saddle/Paddle tour of the Big Bend!   

Getting up in the saddle!

  


If we'd had some trepidation about getting on a horse for the first time in decades, our guide Janelle of Lajitas Stables put all fears to rest.  She put us all on horses that were surefooted and responsive to the reins, and as thoroughly inspiring of confidence as Janelle herself.  A California native, she'd worked with horses for many years, including a stint in England.   Now in Texas for six years, and obviously completely in her element here, we knew we were in good hands.

We headed UP the mountain above the stable headquarters on the River Road, Hwy 170, just west of Lajitas.  The trail was rocky and rough, and we imagine people from other centuries--native Americans, soldiers, settlers, cowboys--moving through this landscape on horseback.  The sky was clear, the day lovely even as the temperature rose.  Our leisurely pace allowed us to see cactus close up, and listen to the breeze rush through the desert grasses. 

Before we knew it, we were on top of the mountain, and the rest of the world seemed far, far away.  No more car noise, no airplanes above.  All we could hear seemed timeless...our horses climbing, the wind, our own hushed conversations. As we continued up through Big Bend Ranch State Park, we eventually saw the Rio Grande down below us, a lovely ribbon of green cutting through the mountains. 



We're on the trail!


 

Our view of the Rio Grande!

 Tomorrow, more views from the Trail in Big Bend Ranch State Park and our Saddle tour!