Big Bend. Camping. Thanksgiving.

[jeffkohn]

Originally Posted by Big Dog

And yet, I have a photographer friend who has spent some time there, and he says that "photographically" August is one of the best times to go. Apparently the heat induced thunderclouds role in and can be spectacular. Can anyone confirm this?

That's true for much of the southwest, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's true for BBNP as well. August is the middle of monsoon season for that part of the country. Can't be worse than the "severely clear" skies we had when we visited in early April one year.

[tjavery]

Originally Posted by jeffkohn

That's true for much of the southwest, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's true for BBNP as well. August is the middle of monsoon season for that part of the country. Can't be worse than the "severely clear" skies we had when we visited in early April one year.

I wish I could get out there this month. With all the rain they've had, it would be great to see a green desert and frequent storms boil up over the peaks. I think I could deal with the heat, but only solo. My wife wouldn't do it

The first time I went to the park was Labor Day weekend three years ago. Our visit followed a very wet August, and the desert was really green and full of flowers. It was awesome. We didn't see any storms, but the effects of all the water were amazing.

To change the subject a bit - I would highly recommend the book, Hiking Big Bend National Park by Laurence Parent. It's a Falcon Guide, and I found mine at Barnes and Noble. It's well done and captures nearly all the great hikes in the park. Each hike is nicely described and all the specifics (distances, elev. changes, etc.) are summarized. Many of the hikes described in the book can be done as overnights.

I would also highly recommend picking up the Trails Illustrated (National Geographic) map of Big Bend at the visitor center. It's much more detailed than the little, basic map you get for free when you enter the park.

[PhotoByLeal]

Originally Posted by studiocygnet

In reference to the mention of TP above. A pet peeve of mine. I was a guide out there for many years, and when wilderness camping instructed all of my clients to pack it out. Unlike other more wet areas of the world, toilet paper wads may take years or centuries to degrade out there. I can't tell you how many times people have hidden their little treasure under a rock or cactus, only to have it exposed years later. In fact, don't leave anything, like orange peels or banana peels as well as TP. It just doesn't biodegrade. Pack it out.

Tom,

U can pack it out without TP, but I will pack TP and then pack in a bag to pack it out!

Boy Scouts,
YOU LEAVE NO TRACE BEHIND!

Thanks,
A