Ft Clark Springs RV Park, TX
Here's what the plaque says.
Chisos Mountains: Volcanic Heart of Big Bend
The mountain mass rising out of the desert was once molten rock. Study the shapes of the peaks to make sense of the geologic battleground, this jumble of eruptions and underground flows.
Angular blocks like Casa Grande [center background] are stratified layers of lava and ash - remnants of blows from nearby volcanoes. Rounded features like Ward Mtn [far right] were subterranean domes of magma that became prominent as erosion scraped aways thousands of feet of overlying sedimentary layers.
Note that these mountains have been around a bit longer because of their rounded shapes -- like the above-mentioned Ward Mtn.
A close-up of the rounded peak on the left of the above photo.
A small spire on the left side of the road around to the north (and only) entrance to the Chisos Mtns.
A dry wash near where I stopped for lunch; there were tire tracks on its floor.
Reminds me of the sterling silver cover over a turkey or roast beef. [Yes, it's getting close to dinner time. :-)>]
My guess is that the agaves in Big Bend blossom more often than every 100 years; further north they're called century plants because they take so long to blossom.
Mountains are beginning to look a bit more rugged as I drove uphill toward the entrance to the Chisos Basin.
A look back down the approach to the "Basin," as it's called. Because there are several hairpin turns, RVs over 24' and trailers over 20' are not recommended on this road.
The plaque states that those continuing up the road will encounter more trees -- starting with junipers, oaks, and Mexican pinyon [pines]; and hikers to yet-higher elevations will find Arizona pines and Douglas firs. [The latter are usually found along streams in some parts of the Sierra Nevada in CA because they require more water than, for example, ponderosa (or yellow) pines. Incidentally, the pines I saw in Arizona looked like ponderosas to me.]
A look past my rig up the road to The Basin.
The top of Casa Grande (7325'), from the saddle through which one enters The Basin. Though it's not the highest, Emory Peak at 7832' is, its shape sets it apart.
The Basin Campground on the right, the "Window" to the left and slightly above it, and Visitor Center and Lodge to the left.
A plaque titled "Camp Life." It reads as follows. "Two Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camps stood here from 1934 to 1942. The 200 men of the Big Bend CCC were organized in military fashion, subject to military discipline, and pair one dollar per day. After five days of bashic training, they began life in the Chisos Basin, marching in formation, living in open bay barracks, and performing backbreaking work. Although Spartan, camp life provided some of the recreation, camarderie, and rest the men longed for after a hard day's work. Often grueling, the work provided income and self-esteem for a generation that had endured economic hardship."
The early evening sun, red from shining through a thin layer of clouds, hits the mountains to the north of The Basin.
Panning left, more filtered red rays on the Chisos Mtns.
Casa Grande from my site, #4. There are no hookups, but there is potable water and restrooms with electricity. Yes, one fellow was charging up his cell phone in the restroom. And I liked the hand-dryer since it warmed up my hand much more than a dry paper towel would.
More mountains to the right on the road from Panther Junction north. [It becomes US385 outside of the park; "panther" is what locals call mountain lions.]
The road heads north toward the gap in the mountains known as Prsimmon Gap.
One last geologic feature: Dog Canyon.
It appears to be a bit more than a mile to its mouth, but there is a trail up it. [Carry plenty of water -- especially if you insist on making the hike in mid-August. You'll go out in a blaze of Gore-ee, and the coyotes will be thankful for the meal. :-)>]
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Links:
- National Park Service web pages on Big Bend National Park
- QT Luong photosof Big Bend NP
Sa 16 Feb Actual Route: San Pedro CG, Amistad NRA - Amistad Dam - San Pedro CG, Amistad NRA
Su 17 Feb Actual Route: San Pedro CG, Amistad NRA - Del Rio Lib - Walmart
M 18 Feb Actual Route: Del Rio Walmart - Home Depot - Del Rio Lib - Walmart
T 19 Feb Actual Route: Del Rio Walmart - Home Depot - Brackettville Lib - Ft Clark Sprs RV PK
W 20 Feb Actual Route: Ft Clark Sprs RV Pk
Th 21 Feb Actual Route: Uvalde Walmart - Uvalde Lib - Walmart
F 22 Feb Actual Route: Uvalde Walmart - Uvalde Lib - Walmart
Sa 23 Feb Actual Route: Uvalde Walmart - Uvalde Lib - Hondo Walmart
Su 24 Feb Actual Route: Hondo Walmart - Las Palmas Br Lib - Walmart
M 25 Feb Route: Potranco Rd Walmart - Guerra Br Lib - Walmart
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Finding Campgrounds:
- RV Campgrounds from TrailerLifeDirectory.com
- Family Camping Directories from Woodalls.com
- Free campsites website
- Info on finding BLM Campgrounds
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