Thursday, February 15 – We hiked our last trail here in Big Bend National Park this morning. The weather report called for high temperatures this afternoon, so we hit the trail a little earlier this morning planning to be out of the hot afternoon sun. It did reach temperatures in the low 90's by late afternoon, but we were home relaxing. It didn't feel near that hot. It's a “dry” heat, you know!
Sunrise greeted us before our hike.
We were hiking the Chimneys Trail this morning. The "chimneys" have always been an important landmark in Big Bend. It is rated moderate, but it was fairly easy in our opinion. It is a flat scenic desert trail to rock formations of an eroded dike.
The trail.
Through a wash.
More beautiful scenery on today’s hike.
We love seeing the “purple” or “mauve” prickle pear cacti.
We made it.
As we hiked around the chimneys, we discovered a delicate arch. What a nice surprise.
There are numerous Native American pictographs in one of the sheltered areas and awesome rock formations.
There is no shade so take plenty of water if hot weather is predicted. We traveled 5.21 miles with 14,868 steps with only 373 change in elevation. If you want to crawl around the mountain, you will have to do some rock scrambling at the end of the trail.
We enjoyed this hike, especially climbing around the mountain at the end of the trail to check out the pictographs and to take numerous pictures. We sat on some boulders and enjoyed a water break and a snack before returning to the trail head. As customary, we saw no one at the time spent on the mountain but did cross paths with three or four couples on our return hike.
We have one more day here in Terlingua, Texas, and Big Bend National Park. Could a ghost town be in our future? You'll have to come back and see.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!
The path (Wash) on this hike looks like it made for a more comfortable hike then the last one.
ReplyDeleteYou should always carry extra water in case something happens and your return is delayed. Easier to drink what you have then what you don't.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
Love the features waiting for you at the end of the trail!! Very cool arch and petroglyphs! Love the photo of you two and the arch and you sitting in the arch:) Real keeper photos! I assume the moderate rating comes from the distance. I've found that if the hike is over four miles, it usually gets a moderate rating even if fairly flat.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hike ... one we did not do last time we were there. Seems like another visit to the west side of BB with a stay in Terlingua would not go amiss for us.
ReplyDeleteYou are doing a great job on your blog about Big Bend. I gave your blog site to a friend who plans on visiting there in the fall.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a nice hike. Were there other hikers along the way or did you have the nice place to yourselves? You have done a great job showing what Big Bend Park is all about.
ReplyDeleteWe missed this hike because we ran out of time. But it certainly looks like a good one! The little arch is so pretty, and the petrolyphs are great! It goes on the list for next time....thanks for showing it to us with your beautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic hike!! I might be able to do this one and what beautiful scenery!! You guys have certainly enjoyed Big Bend and I can see a trip there for us in our future!!
ReplyDeleteGhost town??? Can't wait!!
It might be a dry heat, but I have had it pointed out that so is inside an oven. Just kidding, it looks like you found some beautiful scenery.
ReplyDeleteBig Bend has always been on our agenda. We're planning for next December. Thanks for the preview!
ReplyDeletewww.travelwithkevinandruth.com
I trust you guys are checking for snakes at every turn. ..right? Amazed you haven't seen one. . .as always, beautiful. ..especially the sunrise pic. . .wow!
ReplyDeleteWe didn't get to this hike so it was great to have the post to read. You two are making me want to head to Big Bend! LuAnn
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