The View from Pinto Canyon Road

Head southwest from Marfa on FM2810, and you're in for a rugged treat....after 30 miles or so of smooth road and scenic beauty, the pavement abruptly stops and the road becomes a 4x4 adventure into spectacular scenery!  You'll drive through remote and rocky canyons of the Chinati Mountain range, pass the entrance for Chinati Hot Springs, and eventually make your way to Ruidosa.

Poke around in Ruidosa a bit and you'll soon see a stunning 1914 adobe Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, now a just a shell. The Texas Historical Commission and others have provided resources for the stabilization of the structure, but there's still need for restoration of this beautiful church.  You can read about it here.  The Texas Historical Commission also wrote a wonderful article about off-the-beaten-path locations in our region, and included Pinto Canyon Road and the Sacred Heart Church in their adventure..read it here.

Texas Mountain Trail Classics: Driving Pinto Canyon Road

Thanks to Randy Mallory and the Texas Historical Commission for the use of this photo!

There are many exciting drives in the region--Williams Ranch Road in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Maverick Road, the River Road, Old Ore Road in Big Bend National Park, many of the roads in Big Bend Ranch State Park--but Pinto Canyon Road remains a sentimental favorite of many.  For high clearance vehicles only, this rough and scenic road runs between Marfa and Ruidosa.

The first 32 miles of FM2810 from Marfa are paved and run through beautiful grassland, scenery captured in films like "There Will Be Blood" and "No Country for Old Men," but soon the road becomes gravel and one lane and that's where the adventure begins.

The road runs through private land and is posted as such, and you're invited to enjoy the view from the road, but not invited to travel into private property or cross fencelines.  Still your adventure won't be diminished by staying on the road, for every turn brings a new glorious view.  Near the end, near Ruidosa is the entry to Chinati Hot Springs, a historic complex of adobe cabins, hot tubs, a swimming pool and camping possibilities..definitely worth a stay if you want to linger in the area..and you probably will!

This road is remote, and infrequently traveled, so you MUST be prepared.  Be sure your vehicle is in good working shape, and your spare tire is ready to marshal into service.  Pack plenty of water...you're still in the desert and you'll need more than you might expect.

Let's Go! Adventure on Pinto Canyon Road

One of the best drives in the region is Pinto Canyon Road, which connects Marfa to Ruidosa.  Traveling south out of Marfa, the road is smooth and paved (and scenic), but after awhile it gets rugged and definitely only for the best prepared drivers and high profile automobiles.  The road gets increasingly scenic and spectacular and adventureous as you travel south...driving it is an epic experience!

The paved portion of the road is the location of two events this fall, the Marfa 100 bike ride (a Metric Century) and the Blackwell School Races.

Please note that on long stretches of the drive, the road cuts through private property and your travels should be restricted to the road only.  Detours onto private land are not permitted by the landowners, so stay on the main road, stay in the car and enjoy the bumpy drive!

Thanks to Randy Mallory and the Texas Historical Commission for the use of this photograph!

Pinto Canyon Road

One of the great adventures in the region is reserved for drivers with sturdy high-clearance, all wheel drive vehicles.  Pinto Canyon in Presidio County (leaving sw Marfa towards Ruidosa) is an ADVENTURE with rugged surfaces and terrific views.  Because the road cuts through privately owned land, be respectful of landowners by sticking to the road...and have a great time!

Hot? There's a place waiting for you at Chinati Hot Springs!

After a long day of hiking, this warm pool at Chinati Hot Springs soothes the sore muscles. Laidback and relaxed, the Hot Springs is a favorite place for visitors who really want to get off the beaten path. In Presidio County, just north of Ruidosa...you can learn more, here.

Adobe Arch

Taken at the adobe church restoration in Ruidosa. For more information about this project, see our March 29th, 2009 entry.

For more information on adobe architecture in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/adobe

Hiking at the Chinati Hot Springs

On Pinto Canyon Road, just north of Ruidosa and south of Marfa, there's an unique place to stay...the Chinati Hot Springs. Rustic and remote, there are some neat adobe cabins and great camping spots and cool and hot pools for end-of-the-day relaxing. The setting is lovely and there are several trails visitors can explore.

For information on other hiking opportunities in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/hike

Saving Adobe Architecture

Local officials and the Texas Historical Commission are working to preserve this architectural jewel in Ruidosa in Presidio County. From the THC website,
"With an initial $30,000 matching grant from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in 2004, the project began in the hope of preserving this site, one of Presidio County’s most exquisite examples of adobe architecture. Once in danger of collapse, the mission is especially rare because of its curved adobe arches. Located just outside of Big Bend, the preservation of this historic landmark will contribute to the overall appeal of this unique and special area of Texas.Along with the recent funding from the Texas Historical Foundation, the Presidio County Historical Commission also raised money from local contributions over the holiday season and received an additional grant from the National Trust for Historical Preservation. Monies raised meet the THC’s Texas Preservation Trust Fund grant requirements, thus assuring the successful completion of the stabilization work at this important historical and architectural Texas landmark. Phase I of the project reached completion in late 2006 and Phase II is expected to conclude in July 2007.For more information on the Ruidosa Mission Project visit www.thc.state.tx.us or call the THC’s Architecture Division at 512/463-6094."

Adobe treasure

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Ruidosa, though endangered, retains much of its original design and workmanship. Its three arches are considered the largest rounded adobe arches in the state, and therefore significant.

The Texas Historical Commission has taken a leadership position in the stabilization and care of this important structure in the border region. To learn more, see the article on page 3 of the THC's Medallion magazine, here. (please wait a few moments for the magazine to download)

To learn more about adobe architecture in the region, visit: www.texasmountaintrail.com/adobe