Hope you can be there - Big Bend National Park 3/19-3/25/2016"

Playc

Hi Everyone,

JiroTX and I have been discussing a trip to Big Bend in March 2016.  Sure it will be fun to see more LGers there.  Maybe we can organize party and events ...

Your thoughts?

JiroTX

We will be staying at Chisos Basin Campground. I will be hiking most of the days but hoping to see some T@B owners during night time. I went to BIBE this past March on the week of Good Friday (rented a T@G). It is probably better to make a reservation for a good campsite as early as possible. You can book 6 months in advance (you can start booking on 9/19/15). I booked my site for the last trip in January, and it was the last spot they had left. Chisos Basin Campground have some small sites, so you need to make sure the site is big enough for your T@B. You can look through the campground by Google Street View before you book a site. Here are some sites I recommend: #25, 26, 29, 36. I am thinking about booking the site #25. This campground has no hookups available but has a dump station. Water is limited to 5 Gallon per person per day. There is another campground about 45 mins away from Chisos called Rio Grande Village, and they do have full hookups.

jkjenn

Sure looks like fun...probably too far for me, though.

CanuckTabber

Looks awesome !

Verna

Well, if it's not snowing this year at Big Bend when I go through Texas around the first of the year, I would really like to see this.  Thank you very much for the great photos!

JiroTX

Verna, I have never been to BIBE in January. I know it does snow sometimes, but it usually gets 60's-70's during the daytime around the river. I would expect 15-20 degrees lower on mountains. If you are planning on mountain/desert hiking, winter time is probably the best time of the year (better/clearer view). When I went there in March (end of March) this year, it was close to 100 degrees at Santa Elena Canyon by the river. 

All BIBE campsites are dog friendly, but trails are NOT (no hiking with your dog). I believe the closest kennel service is about 2 hours away in Alpine...

Verna

Thanks, Jiro. Sunny Day loves a walk, but she overheats quickly, so hiking is out of the question. 

Sgtjohn

Watch for Rattle Snakes, three lieutenants from Ft Sill were hiking at Mt Scott (near Lawton OK) and without a rattle, one guy was bitten and went down without warning-literally.  The other two used their cell phone to call for help but the guy that was bitten lost his lower leg.  I remember one night in San Antonio I was walking across a field without a flashlight on a path I was familiar with and I heard a loud rattle.  I slowly backed up and never went on that path again.  I respect Rattle Snakes but I don't like them.

JiroTX

I just booked site #25 for 3/17/16-3/25/16. I know I am staying there from 3/19-3/24 or 3/25, but I wanted to make sure I was getting the site I wanted. I've been watching the availability, and it looks like most people make a reservation on Friday to whichever day they want. I just thought it wouldn't be available from Saturday if I waited.

You can book a lot of sites Saturday morning at 10 am EDT (most sites are already booked through Friday, 3/18/16). Good (larger) campsites are usually gone by 10:01 EDT. Even though you are not arriving until Tuesday, it is probably better to book it from Saturday and cancel Sat. to Mon. later with $10 fee. Somebody might book the site you want from Sat. to Wed.

Again, you can see most campsites with Google Street View. I was looking at #25, 26, 29, and 31. I think 26 is set to "walk up" only. 29 & 31 will be available at 10 am EDT this Saturday.

propus

It's on my calendar. Depends on work. won't know for sure till late feb.

Michigan_Mike

Sgtjohn said:

Watch for Rattle Snakes, three lieutenants from Ft Sill were hiking at Mt Scott (near Lawton OK) and without a rattle, one guy was bitten and went down without warning-literally.  The other two used their cell phone to call for help but the guy that was bitten lost his lower leg.  I remember one night in San Antonio I was walking across a field without a flashlight on a path I was familiar with and I heard a loud rattle.  I slowly backed up and never went on that path again.  I respect Rattle Snakes but I don't like them.

They are definitely to be respected as you just never know when one will appear.  One of my friends was having her morning coffee, sitting in her lawn chair and facing her trailer out in Quartzsite, AZ and had one crawl between her legs and beneath her trailer.   The snake rattled it's tail just as it was disappearing beneath the trailer!  She was very lucky!   This is another reason to have a porti-potti or toilet inside the trailer to eliminate those late night trips to the bathroom facilities.  

propus

Just got my days off for March. Looks like everything in Chisos basin is booked.

nancentina

I will be in Alpine, but probably not camping in the Bend. I want to get a T@B specifically for camping in BBNP and BB Ranch State Park.

JiroTX

propus, it is almost impossible to book any sites a month before at I would say any National Parks. If you want a larger site, you need to book 6 months ahead.
There are still walk up sites, but I don't think you can get those either. Maybe you can if you get there on Wednesday or Thursday. March is the busiest month at BIBE.
There are some RV parks/hotels in Terlingua (about an hour drive from Chisos Basin Campground).

nancetina, Alpine is about 2 hours from Chisos Basin I think. Small campers like T@B are really the best option for Chisos Basin Campground. They have a dump station also.

propus

I will arrive at the Loma Paloma RV park in Presidio on the 2nd, Big Bend Ranch for five days of astronomy and mtn biking. Another night in Presidio on the 8th, then heading home. Sorry to miss you, but with my work, I don't have a predictable schedule. I like the Chisos basin, but with spring break there was no chance. It usually opens up after it gets HOT. 
Another time perhaps.

JiroTX

I usually book campsites when I can if I have slight chance of going. Cancelation fee is $10. It is really hard to book any national park campsites. BIBE is actually one of the least popular national parks...

I'll probably go back there in Nov. or Dec. but have not decided yet.

We really should plan somewhere closer to Dallas/Austin/Houston area.

TaBFan

Mike, That's a rare picture.....you caught these two mating

leenscottfl

Ran across this video of Big Bend. Every time I go there I find new sights.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scnbMC-tcUI

Playc

JiroTX said:

I usually book campsites when I can if I have slight chance of going. Cancelation fee is $10. It is really hard to book any national park campsites. BIBE is actually one of the least popular national parks...

I'll probably go back there in Nov. or Dec. but have not decided yet.

We really should plan somewhere closer to Dallas/Austin/Houston area.

How about inks lake state park the 3/13 week to celebrate the start of day light savings time?

JiroTX

Playc, it's the spring break week. You will have to book way in advance. I don't think there's any availabilities even on weekdays. I think most people including me can join only on weekends. Their campsites are booked up for couple of months for weekends. Camping season is here!

Playc

Hi JiroTX - ok. Hope we can find dates that most can join.

nancentina

nancetina, Alpine is about 2 hours from Chisos Basin I think. Small campers like T@B are really the best option for Chisos Basin Campground. They have a dump station also.

It's beautiful but I prefer rio grande village campground. I am looking forward to getting an outback so I can boondock. I would like to conquer Chisos at some point; had an awful night there once in a tent (sooooooooo windy) and another completely off kilter in a class b ( can't level it). 

I like to to conquer campgrounds where I couldn't sleep. Other beautiful parks in that area areBalmorhea and Davis Mts state parks for those who don't have time to drive all the way down. 

I hope you have a wonderful meetup and I look forward to seeing tabs rolling through alpine!