Backpacking and Hiking

Some info here for you about hiking and backpacking. This is not a very large web site but it has a few tips that could come in very handy. I've been a hiker for many years, I hope you will learn a thing or two from me about hiking and backpacking that you didn't already know..

Don't leave civilization without the following things. This short list of life saving items is based on my many years of hiking and backpacking experience.

FOOD
Bring good tasting food to eat, even if it weighs a bit more. You're going out in nature to have a good time and enjoy yourself, not for some kind of punishment.

BLANKET
If you're just going for the day bring a small blanket with you, the kind they have on airplanes.

LAMP
You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.

CAMPSTOVE
The Trailstove is the best backpacking stove in the world as far as I know. No stove even comes close. The Trailstove burns wood which may sound old fashioned but so what. You don't have to carry any wood and it works just fine.

SLEEPING PAD
You're going out in nature to have a good time and enjoy some time away from work, you should make sure you're comfortable when you are asleep otherwise the trip won't be as enjoyable. Try different sleeping platforms (foam mat, air mattress, hammock, etc…) to see which one is best for you and don't care too much about the weight, it's worth carrying an extra pound or two to be able to sleep comfortably.

FOLDING TOOL
Back in the old days I used to carry a Swiss army knife where ever I went, then the Leatherman tools came, now I carry one of each. If I had to pick one I would probably pick the Leatherman tool just for the pliers, but there are lots of tasks where the Swiss army knife still has the upper hand.

1. COLLECT WOOD. You should have about 20 to 30 very thin twigs, and 10 to 15 small sticks to get the fire started and as many larger pieces you need to keep the fire going for as long as you need it.

2. BOTTOM BRANCHES. If the ground is covered with snow you can break dry branches off the bottom of a tree.

3. STARTER MATERIAL. You will need some material that ignites very easily to start the fire. There are a number of things you can use for this. Dry leaves, dry grass, bark, or chips from a dry semi-decomposed dead tree. Paper works fine too if you have some with you.

4. FIRE RING. Find a good location for your fire, there should be nothing nearby that could catch fire such as dry vegetation. Make a ring on the ground with rocks.

5. STARTER MATERIAL. Place the starter material in the center of the fire ring. Make sure there's plenty of air around each piece of material.

6. TWIGS. Make a teepee around the starter material using the thin twigs you collected earlier.

7. STICKS. Put the larger sticks around your twig teepee. Finish off with some more massive pieces.

9. WAIT. In about a minute the starter material has started to ignite the small twigs.

10. FIRE. After a few minutes your fire will be in full flame. Soon the teepee will collapse into a shapeless collection of burning wood, don't worry this is all normal and good. By now you fire is stable and will keep burning for as long as you feed it wood.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park is a land of borders. Situated on the boundary with Mexico along the Rio Grande, it is a place where countries and cultures meet. It is also a place that merges natural environments, from desert to mountains. It is a place where south meets north and east meets west, creating a great diversity of plants and animals. The park covers over 801,000 acres of west Texas in the place where the Rio Grande makes a sharp turn - the Big Bend. Authorized June 20, 1935; established June 12, 1944. Designated a United States Biosphere Reserve, 1976.

Write to
Big Bend National Park
P.O. Box 129
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

TRAVEL BASICS

Operating Hours, Seasons
The park is relatively uncrowded much of the year. Visitation is highest in March and April. The park is extremely crowded during spring break, which is usually the second and third week in March. Easter weekend, Thanksgiving weekend, and the week between Christmas and New Year's Day are also very busy. All lodging and campsites are usually full during these periods. Visitation is lowest in August and September.

The park is open 24 hours daily, all year. The Panther Junction Visitor Center is open daily, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but may be closed on Christmas Day. Other visitor centers have variable seasons and hours.

Getting There
CAR - Three paved roads lead to the park: 1) U.S. 385 from Marathon, TX to the north entrance,

3) Ranch Road 170 from Presidio to Study Butte, and then State Route 118 to the west entrance.

Big Bend National Park headquarters is located 70 miles south of Marathon, TX and 108 miles from Alpine, TX via Hwy. 118.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - There is no public transportation to or from the park. Amtrak serves Alpine, TX, 108 miles to the north. Bus service is available to Alpine and Marathon. The nearest airports are in Midland, TX (230 miles to the northeast), and El Paso, TX (325 miles to the northwest).

Weather & Climate
Fall and spring are usually warm and pleasant. Summers are hot, although temperatures vary greatly between the desert floor and the Chisos Mountains; May and June are the hottest months. Afternoon and evening rains often cool the desert from July to October. Winters are generally mild, although periods of cold weather (including light snow) are possible. Winter visitors must prepare for a variety of conditions.

A hat, comfortable clothing, and sturdy walking shoes or boots are necessary for anyone planning to hike. Sunscreen is a must. Hikers must always carry plenty of water. One gallon per person per day is recommended.

Accessibility
Visitor centers are accessible. Wheelchair-accessible campsites and restrooms are located in the Chisos Basin and Rio Grande Village Campgrounds. The Chisos Mountains Lodge restaurant is accessible, as are some motel rooms. A Telecommunications Device for the Deaf is available at park headquarters. A brochure on accessibility is available by calling or writing the park. Employees with sign language abilities may be available.

FEES/PERMITS

Entrance Fee
BIG BEND ANNUAL PASS
$20.00 for 12 Months
Free entrance to Big Bend National Park for 12 months.

WEEKLY ENTRANCE FEE
$10.00 for 7 Days

CAMPING

Chisos Basin Campground
Open All Year
65 campsites. Flush toilets, running water, grills, and picnic tables are available, but no hookups. $8 per night. No reservations. No Generators allowed at this campground. Elevation 5,400'. Due to the narrow, winding road to the Basin, and small campsites, trailers over 20' and RV's over 24' are not recommended at this campground.

Cottonwood Campground
Open All Year
31 campsites. $8 per night. Pit toilets, picnic tables, grills, and water are available. No Hook-ups. No dump station. Beginning 6-1-01, NO GENERATORS ALLOWED. Elevation 1,900'.

Rio Grande Village Campground
Open All Year
$8 per night. This 100 site campground has flush toilets, running water, picnic tables, grills, and some overhead shelters. Dump Station. No reservations. Elevation 1,850'.

Rio Grande Village RV Park
Open All Year
25 sites. This is the ONLY campground with hookups in the park. It is a concession-operated trailer park, and sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at the Rio Grande Village Store/Service Station. Full hookup capability is required.

LODGING

Chisos Mountains Lodge
Open All Year
The Chisos Mountains Lodge, operated by National Park Concessions, Inc., is located in the Chisos Basin at 5,400 feet elevation. The lodge offers a variety of rooms and cottages, plus a gift shop and dining room. Call for reservations.
For More Information on this lodging please call (915) 477-2291

FOOD	Bring good tasting food to eat, even if it weighs a bit more. You're going out in nature to have a good time and enjoy yourself, not for some kind of punishment.
BLANKET	If you're just going for the day bring a small blanket with you, the kind they have on airplanes.
LAMP	You don't want to be without some type of lamp when the sun goes down.
CAMPSTOVE	The Trailstove is the best backpacking stove in the world as far as I know. No stove even comes close. The Trailstove burns wood which may sound old fashioned but so what. You don't have to carry any wood and it works just fine.
SLEEPING PAD	You're going out in nature to have a good time and enjoy some time away from work, you should make sure you're comfortable when you are asleep otherwise the trip won't be as enjoyable. Try different sleeping platforms (foam mat, air mattress, hammock, etc…) to see which one is best for you and don't care too much about the weight, it's worth carrying an extra pound or two to be able to sleep comfortably.
FOLDING TOOL	Back in the old days I used to carry a Swiss army knife where ever I went, then the Leatherman tools came, now I carry one of each. If I had to pick one I would probably pick the Leatherman tool just for the pliers, but there are lots of tasks where the Swiss army knife still has the upper hand.