Big Bend in June?

[Imagebuffet]

I'm planning a trip through New Mexico and Texas the last week of June. I'm looking for great places to swim and photograph, maybe even some model photography. I like waterfalls, springs, mountains, green plant life and water and dramatic landscapes.

I suspect that Big Bend National Park would be an arid wasteland this time of year. Does anyone here know?

Also, would anyone here be interested in meeting or even traveling with me?

Thank you.

[jeffkohn]

I think that's the driest, hottest month for Big Bend, before the monsoon season starts towards the end of the summer. It's going to be extremely hot, especially at the lower elevations by the river. If you're looking for waterfalls, springs, green plant life and water you're bound to be disappointed. It's a neat place though.

[venchka]

As much as I like Texas and New Mexico, go to southern Utah.

[johnastovall]

My wife and I used to backpack Big Bend and November and December are the best times. June get very hot down in the flats and canyons.

What ever time to really see the beauty you need to get off the roads and even the popular trails.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

I'm planning a trip through New Mexico and Texas the last week of June. I'm looking for great places to swim and photograph, maybe even some model photography. I like waterfalls, springs, mountains, green plant life and water and dramatic landscapes.

I suspect that Big Bend National Park would be an arid wasteland this time of year. Does anyone here know?

Also, would anyone here be interested in meeting or even traveling with me?

Thank you.

If waterfalls, springs and mountains are what you are looking for, west is the wrong way to head unless you are planning on making it somewhere around Washington state. I would suggest either the Ozarks or if you want to drive a couple hours further than what big bend would be, the smokies.

If you can break away from the green and waterfalls, I would echo the recommendation of southern Utah, it's beautiful this time of year (just moved from Utah, I am a little biased).

I would love to go, but I have to face the day-to-day reality of employment...

[Imagebuffet]

Thanks for the advice. I'm frantically plotting my route and I wondered where you would go if you could drive anywhere in the next few days. I'll keep your advice in mind for this and future trips.

I'm heading West to pay a visit to my Mom in Deming, NM. I need to get her computer running as best I can, so I'm allotting an evening for that. Other than that, I'm free to go where I please.

Before my boss rescheduled my department's work hours, I had plans to visit Bottomless Lakes in Roswell, NM; Spaceport America's launch site out in Upham (in the "Jornada del Muerto"); my Mom in Deming; Hueco Tanks, Franklin and Wyler State Parks in El Paso; Balmorhea State Park; Monahans Sandhill State Park and maybe Abilene State Park. But, now I have an extra day for travel.

I have Saturday to Wednesday, 5 days, for this trip. I'm looking closely at the Pecos Wilderness and Lincoln National Forest areas, especially as the national parks have free admission on that weekend.

Incidentally, Wyler State Park is closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

[Jaydandy]

I took this a few days ago just before the turn off to Bottomless Lakes.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...d.php?t=101223

Jaydandy added 38 Minutes and 13 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Here is a quick slide show of some of the photos I got along the way. We went from Houston to Big Springs. Plans Tx, Tatum NM, Roswell, NM final destination was Tularosa NM.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6rDsGcv6og

[ronocnikral]

what about the white sands national monument???

[Jaydandy]

Here is a shot of White Sands NM taken on the way up to Cloudcroft.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by Jaydandy

Here is a shot of White Sands NM taken on the way up to Cloudcroft.

Interesting, but I'm generally looking for greener pastures. I know that's hard to come by in most of New Mexico.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Go into northern New Mexico and southern Colorado though the area is in a drought still.

There are a lot of things to see and do up there.

[johnastovall]

You might want to consider the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It has everything from a Salt desert to Pondarosa pine forests. It has perhaps the most micro-environments in Texas.

[venchka]

I'm still looking at your route and trying to imagine doing it in 5 days. I'm worn out already.

Good luck.

[studiocygnet]

Originally Posted by Imagebuffet

Interesting, but I'm generally looking for greener pastures. I know that's hard to come by in most of New Mexico.

Nope, not at all. You're going to be in Deming, so just go north 50 miles and you'll be a mile high in Silver City. From there you could go to the Gila Cliff Dwellings, Gila Hot Springs, San Francisco Hot Springs, Gila River, Mimbres River, The Catwalk, the town of Mogollon, lots of green and watery places around there. The Gila National Forest is just like being in the mountains around Taos or Durango, but just a short drive from where you'll be.

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by venchka

I'm still looking at your route and trying to imagine doing it in 5 days. I'm worn out already.

Good luck.

Two weeks ago, I drove from Garland to Midland, visited the Bush family residence in Odessa, the Stonehenge replica and Odessa crater, swam several hours in San Solomon Spring at Balmorhea, toured the Caverns of Sonora, had lunch in San Angelo and photographed the Lubbock police running a marathon through Abilene and returned home to Garland in 4 days.

This time, I have an extra day, so I think I'll visit my mother.