Big Bend State and National Parks (March 2019)

Jen's Account of the day: April 2nd

We had the free sample of pancake mix (made into pancakes, not just the box) for breakfast. They were actually quite good for instant (and free) pancakes. After cleaning up we set off for Big Big Ranch State Park. After stopping back at the visitor center in Lajitas for a permit we arrived at the trailhead from our first hiking objective of the day, Closed Canyon.

Things started out well enough. We got down the length of the canyon (not closed, just very narrow) no problem and went around three puddles of stagnant water on the canyon floor before finally encountering a pool too deep and steep to cross.

So back we went. The second pool was bypassed by climbing down on the smooth, somewhat steep ledge around it...you know what happened next. While I had no problems getting across the first time, on the way back I had problems finding a foothold, slipped, and fell into the waist-deep pool below.

I wasn’t badly hurt, but I was a bit banged up, cold, and wet. My boots were completely filled with water and unusuable. I took them off and climbed past the rest of the water pits barefoot, but the mix of rock and sand that made up the bulk of the canyon floor was too rough for me to walk on barefoot. Matt went to go get my sandals and left me dripping wet and bleeding on a rock.

There was no sunlight in the canyon and I quickly got cold. I was briefly comforted by someone’s dog. No, they didn’t take their dog past the pools. That would be dumb. I hadn’t taken my jacket out of my pack since I’d stashed it there mid-hike the morning before; it came in handy now. My car keys were in my lower pants pocket; fortunately they still seem to work.

It felt like forever but Matt finally came back with my sandals and I was able to hobble my way out of the canyon. After we got back to the car we headed over to the teepee picnic bench-things and had hot dog for lunch (with new buns bought fresh from Study Butte, the Whole Foods ones fell apart when we tried to use them for the sausages). Well, Matt grilled lunch. I sat out in the sun to dry. I was an acceptable level of damp by the time lunch was done but my shirt had several holes in it and my pants were covered in dirt and blood.

Next, we headed off to the Hoodoos for planned hike #2. Really, all you’d want to see of the Hoodoos is readily visible from the parking lot or nearby overlook. The rest of the one-mile loop trail seemed unnecessary. Or maybe I’m just being grouchy, between my injuries and having to walk over hot sand and sharp gravel in sandals. Nonetheless, we returned to the car uneventfully.

We decided to take the long way back via Presidio, Marfa, and Alpine. We got stopped at a “border” control checkpoint about 100 miles away from the actual border between Presidio and Marfa. “The dog has alerted to your vehicle.” Sigh. Fortunately, the resulting search and violation of our constitutional rights was half-hearted and didn’t take long. I think poor Matt wanted to do some exploring in Marfa, but I just wasn’t up for it (and I still had blood and holes on my clothes). We got back to our cabin, showers, and booze a little after 4 PM. Injury list: scraped left ring finger, wrists, elbows, and knees; busted blood vessel in my right hand, lots of bruises, mild sunburn.

Mouse over the pictures for commentary, click for large images


Day 3 of the Trip - Day 5 of the Trip