It isn’t easy to get to. It is in Texas. But it is so amazing! Please go!
It doesn’t look that big on a map of Texas, but it is over 800,000 acres. There are three distinct ecologies in the park – river, mountains, and desert.
I’m really tempted to go off on the geology. But I’ve already done that for Newfoundland and don’t want to get a reputation. If you want geology, see https://everywhere-man.com/2023/06/06/geeky-as-i-wanna-be/
THE RIVER – The Rio Grande
The river is one of the three distinct ecosystems in the park. The Rio Grande forms the border between the US and Mexico and is also the southern border of the park. Bordering the river is one of the two places in the park you are going to see much green. But only close to the river and then it is generally muted.
THE MOUNTAINS – Chisos Mountains
The other place you will see some green is in the Chisos Mountains. This is the second ecosystem of the park. A “sky island”, it supports a variety of plants and wildlife that wouldn’t otherwise be found in a desert. What looks like frost or snow in the picture below on the right is really a gray tree. Maybe juniper?
THE DESERT – Chihuahuan Desert
Much of Big Bend is the northern tip of the Chihuahuan dessert, the third distinct ecosystem in the park. Vast and intimidating.
The sotol plant is found throughout Big Bend. Though it sure looks like a cactus, sotol is a plant in the asparagus family. It is also used to make an alcohol. More on that in the next post.
There is very little water in Big Bend. Except when it rains. This is a “pour off” from the top of a mesa in the park. When it does rain, it tends to be a deluge, and all of the water landing on the top of the mesa flows to a lower point. This downspout was formed over time by these events. The Park Service is very clear that one should not be in this area if there is any chance of rain at all…
Lower Burro Mesa Pour Off
The picture at the top, and the one to the left is ocotillo. I was fortunate to have it in bloom while I was in the park. It has become a favorite of mine.
The Journey 