Big Bend / Carlsbad

The week after Memorial Day weekend, eight friends and I took a road trip to Big Bend National Park, TX and Carlsbad National Park, NM for seven days of outdoor adventures. The trip was planned by my friend Lee who has explored Big Bend more than 20 times. His expertise in local flora and fauna was without peer so I definitely learned a lot that I definitely wouldn't have otherwise known about the Texas desert. First stop was Marfa, TX, famous for the Marfa Lights and for 1956 film, Giant. We went out that evening for our first of many nights of "herping", or finding-snakes-and-other-reptiles. Here's how it works: wait until dusk and pray for temperatures to be in the low 70s, perfect for snakes to venture out onto the warm paved road surfaces; load up the van with all willing participants armed with snake sticks, flashlights and cameras; alert local Border Patrol officers of our plans so we won't be detained for stopping along a near-border road; ride with the rear van doors open with two "door-gunners" ready to jump out as soon as we have a sighting (this was my position); sight snake, centipede, spider, lizard, etc. and execute battle drill. This night turned out to be our best herping night of the entire trip. We found a mojave snake (which by the way is highly venomous), a huge centipede which we kept, and numerous toads, lizards, and spiders. A good time was definitely had by all.



Photo by Chris Graves


Photo by Chris Graves



Photo by Chris Graves

The next morning we proceeded on toward Big Bend with many informative stops along the way to observe local wildlife, etc.



Photo by Chris Graves


Photo by Greg Darling

We stayed at the Chisos Lodge, which is really the only option for lodging inside the park besides camping. Day two was spent exploring some of the small trails around the park, one of which was a very cool, dried up waterfall, which we of course walked right up to the edge of.



Photo by Chris Graves

Day three was spent exploring one of the many beautiful stretches of the Rio Grande River. Here's a photo of my undocumented entry into Mexico.



Photo taken by some random hikers who signed rights waivers for this shot.

Day four was our 14-mile hike on the south rim trail, including the breathtaking climb up to the highest peak in the Chisos Mountains, Emory Peak. At over 7,800' ASL the peak offers, hands-down, the best view of the entire park. Below is our motley crew sitting atop the peak.



Photo by Brian Sayler



Photo by Greg Darling

My friend Mike on Emory Peak.


Photo by Greg Darling



Photo by Greg Darling

Lee (above) and Bryan (below) climbing the last few feet to the peak.


Photo by Greg Darling

Here we all are midway through the 14-miler (all of us made it, by the way).



Photo by Bryan Sayler

We spent a very fun afternoon shooting slingshot.





Then ventured into the town of Terlingua, TX, which looked like scenes straight out of a Tarantino or Robert Rodriguez movie.


Photo by Greg Darling

While there I somewhat foolishly decided to eat a one pound hamburger complete with two fried eggs, cheese, a green chiles at the Starlight Theatre. Wow, I don't think I ever want to eat another hamburger again in my entire life.






Photo by Chris Graves



Photo by Chris Graves

The day before leaving Big Bend for Carlsbad we went to Sitting Bull Falls, which is this very peaceful oasis in the middle of the otherwise scorching heat of the Chisos mountains.



Photo by Greg Darling


Photo by Greg Darling


Photo by Greg Darling


Photo by Greg Darling



Photo by Sam Wilson



Photo by Greg Darling



Photo by Chris Graves

Here are a few sunsets I captured before leaving Big Bend.



Photo by Greg Darling


Photo by Greg Darling


Photo by Greg Darling


Photo by Greg Darling

On our way to Carlsbad, NM, our trail vehicle got pulled over for having a "suspiciously unsecure load". They got off with a warning and a good laugh from the rest of us.



Photo by Greg Darling

Before venturing into the Carlsbad cavern we did some hiking around the park and I sighted three big-horned sheep as well as some cool old trees along the trail.













This being an adventurous trip we signed up for the elite, Hall of The White Giant spelunking tour of the caverns rather than the usual walking tour. The trail was definitely more than the standard walking cave tour. In fact there really wasn't much walking to be done at all. More like crawling and climbing through some rather tight spots. But it was soooo much fun. After having done this I have officially made spelunking one of my new hobbies.



Photo taken by our former thespian (he was an extra in Die Hard 4, among others) park ranger.

I can definitely say this was one of the best vacations I've ever taken. I got to know eight other guys a lot better than I did before and I know we'll continue to forge the friendships we started on many more adventures.



Photo by Bryan Sayler