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Dual Sport Adventure - Big Bend National Park Texas
Day Three, November 13th |
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Left earlier today, around 9:00 am. Took Lake Ament Road out to 118 and gassed up at Study Butte where the cowboys never take off their hats. Entered Big Bend Park and payed $5 each for a one week pass. Asked conditions of River Road, and were told they were good with the only bad section in the Park being Black Gap Road which leads from River Road to Glenn Springs Road. We were told it was probably passable for motorcycles - and we would find out. Entered park and went south on Old Maverick Road, a high speed graded shellrock road - a real rarity in these parts. Stopped at Luna's Jackal and Terlingua Abajo a deserted town and campsite. Road into campsite was passable for trucks and SUV vehicles with small trailers, not recommended for cars or RVs. This is very remote - bring everything you need. Water was running on Terlingua Creek, not recommended for bathing or drinking - keep the water clean for the animals. Continued south to paved road and Santa Elana Canyon where Terlingua Creek meets the Rio Grande. Here the Rio Grand passes through a huge canyon some 300 feet high. The cottonwood campground had room for 30-40 RVs, but we saw only one RV and one tent. Cost is $8.00 per night. Nice campground but a little too remote and uncomfortably close to the border crossing. Continued on paved road easterly to Santa Elana crossing. Here you can be boated or walk across the Rio Grande into Mexico and take a horse or donkey to the town of Santa Elana. Santa Elana looked very small, but it does have electricity and is Rod's favorite place to hop across for a brew and a fahita. Next stop was Castalon an old military outpost. There is now a small general store there where you can buy minimal provisions. We continued north on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. This is a Texas version of the Tail of the Dragon - long, sweeping curves thru some scenic desert areas. We did meet one Park Ranger with radar but we were taking it easy. We then continued easterly on 118 to Panther Junction. This offered scenic roads of high peaks and Chisos Basin to the south. Watch out for javalinas, tarantulas, and road runners along this stretch of road. Some 22 miles thru the desert brings you to Rio Grande Village, which is the more popular camper and RV site. Here there are full hook ups for RVs and a large camp area with restrooms and pay showers, BBQ grill, and tables. There were some 30 RVs and tenters in this area along with a good grocery store, gas, and laundry. After living in a "dry" North Carolina county for the past 12 years - we were amazed to find a Park Service grocery store selling beer and wine - and good beer too!!. East of Rio Grande Village is Boquillas Crossing to Mexico. Here you can be boated across the Rio Grande and ride a donkey into town for lunch and cervesa. The road dead ends a few miles east of the crossing at the Boquillas Canyon. Things to remember: Bring your food there is not much to choose from and check the expiration dates on any food you do purchase. Beer is available just about everywhere - gotta love Texas. Gas is expensive, about 20 percent or higher above other locations. Not much for restaurants if you are looking for local food. |
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