South Rim, Big Bend Day 8 part 2

Howdee all,

We made it to South Rim and Awesome views..a bit hazy, but still very nice.  We rested for a bit at the top and had lunch

All the while breathing in the views.. and fresh air..

  We were not alone, this fella, Rufous-crowned sparrow?, was foraging around the rim..guess it was not afraid of heights.

We headed back down and took Boot Canyon to the Pinnacle trail

Still looking and listening for the Colima warbler.We did see two deer, who didn't seem bothered by our presence. Allot of the wooded walk down reminded me of woodland walks in CT. Except for views like this..

The BootI dedicate these Boot photos to my Boot Lovin Twitter friends    You know who you are..  Goodbye Boot!The hike down was a bit tough on the knees..    though, mine didn't complain until the day after..

   Getting closer…we are headed to the valley below, at this point I am dreaming of a cold drink at the Lodge. Views of Casa Grande   We are almost there…I am ready to put my feet up..my toes need stretching.. South rim was a long hike..but not as difficult as i was expecting. I think that is because we went up the gradual incline of Laguna meadows instead of starting via the Pinnacles trail.

We didn't see the Colima Warbler..boo hoo..it was too early and we knew that.

There is always another time..

I know we will be back for a longer visit next time..

Because ..

I ♥ Big Bend

Birds of the Day

Common raven,Scaled quail,Turkey Vulture,Junco,Mexican jay,Painted redstart
White throated swift, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Robin,Red tail hawk,Northern harrier
Black crested titmouse, Bewick,rock and canyon wrens,White breasted nuthatch
Blue gray gnatcatcher,Mocking bird,Canyon and spotted towhee,White wing dove

…………………………………………..

We have left Big Bend.. the Migrating birds have been calling to Jeff..

We are headed to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Padre Island area..its our first time in the area, so if you have favorite spots, dining, birding, camping, let me know. Thanks..

South Rim trail, Big Bend NP Day 8 part 1

Howdee all.

March 26

We saved the South Rim trail for the end of our stay in Big Bend, hoping for an early arrival of the Colima warbler. They are usually not seen in the area until mid April.

This is the only place in the US that the Colima warbler is seen, when it migrates from Mexico, here to spend the summer.

 Hike to South Rim

via Laguna Meadows approx 4 miles

Colima trail – 1 mile

Boot canyon trail to South Rim- 1.8 miles

return trip via Pinnacle trail approx 6.4 miles

Total trip approx- 14 miles

Difficulty- Moderate

Elevation gain- approx. 2000 feet

You can see the map below there are different ways to reach South Rim 

I really wanted to start the trip via Laguna Meadows trail We were told it is a gradual up,versus the Pinnacle trail which switchbacks up the first mile.

Jeff wanted to hike up the Pinnacle trail..

Luckily the coin toss had us go up the meadows.. The right choice in my opinion…after going down via the Pinnacles trail later that day and seeing how steep it was..

It was not as though we weren't getting enough exercise to begin with..   It was a gradual, as we were told…I did have to stop many times to catch my breath.. The meadows area…We also did some birding… We left the Meadows trail.. and followed the one mile Colima trail..

hoping to see or hear the Colima Warbler,we didn't see it on the trail named for this warbler.

At the end of the Colima trail we picked up Boot Canyon trail to the South Rim

Here we did see a few birds, along with a Painted Redstart. Looks like we are getting close…To the top…

Stay tuned for the views from South Rim and the hike down via the Pinnacle trail.

The Windows, Big Bend NP, Day 7 part 2

Howdee all,

March 25

After hiking Grapevine Hills to Balanced rock, Jeff and I decided to catch some evening light at

The Windows trail.

4 miles round trip

Difficulty – Easy

  The trail descends 800 feet from the trail head It is a very gradual decent..easy both waysThe first mile is thru scrub vegetation   There were nice views of the Chisos Peaks   

 Orange colors on the Chisos rocks..

The last mile enters a cool shady canyon with oaks, wildflowers, the birds seem to like this area.A Black-crested titmouse.. The path is gravel and easy to follow..

     Flowering shrubs. Toward the end the trail follows a rock wash..

Small tanks of water…

Stair steps made thru the wash  Pockets of water ..attracting birds…

Hermit thrush and Canyon wren were taking drinks.. Finally ..the Window..  Overlooking the Valley and distant mountains  Stairway to heaven..Bird baths.. 

Hermit thrush hangout..

On the trail back great views of Casa Grandeanother Rock face profile

Do you see it?

      I really love this landscape..Just enough green Yeah..these photos all look similar…I am not a good editor

I want to include all the photos I like..

  On the drive back I took a photo of this pyramid rock that we pass when we are in the park  Egypt in Big Bend…

Birds of the Day

Cactus wren,Black-throated sparrow,Says Phoebe,Purple finch,Turkey vulture
Loggerhead shrike.Black tailed gnatcatcher,Canyon wren,Canyon Towhee
Rock wren,Cedar waxwing,Hermit thrush,Pyrylloxia,Blue gray gnatcathcer
White wing dove,Black crested titmouse,Mexican jay,Ruby crowned kinglet
Spotted towhee,Mockingbird,Red shafted flicker,Hermit thrush,Coopers Hawk