Two nights were arranged at the Pine Canyon Campsite #4 which sits at 4200' in the Chisos Mountains under the shadow of Lost Mine Peak. Two miles of an uphill hike lead to the trailhead to the Pine Canyon Trail, a 2 mi climb of 1000ft elevation up to an intermittent waterfall and pine forest. I spend an afternoon reading and relaxing around camp, happy I bought another jug of water for the three day stay. A hike up the road to the trailhead takes about 45 minutes and climbs 800 feet or more in 2 miles. A great way to end the day. I am treated to the primal scene of two bucks sparring with a clash of antlers at the base of the mountain during sunset. The continuing clash and movement disappears easily, figures camoflaged against the desert landscape. The morning sunshine casts the mountains in colors of red and pink beyond my tent. Preparing a cup of Big Bend Roasters "Texas Wild Fire Blend", I prepare for the day, exercise, then begin the morning hike. The forest environment was taxing on my senses! I felt so overwhelmed with the familiar musk of wet soil, the sound of cool water sluicing down a slick rock. Oak leaves cracked beneath my feet and birds squaked through the canopy of madrone and pinyon pine overhead. The last few months spent in the arid climates of California, Mexico and the desert southwest have taken their toll on me more than I could tell. The appreciation of trees and the density of a forest make me feel at home, as if the surroundings mountains are giving me a big hug. I look forward to the prospect of more trees and vegetated areas greeting me as I soon travel east across Texas. I gave myself a haircut with a 99 cent pair of pink handled child safety scissors in the reflection of my scooter mirror. Not too shabby! One last evening spent in the park on the north end before heading toward Marathon then Hwy90 east. Where I travel from here remains unknown, just how I like it.
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The weather was a bit cooler and overcast for a couple days resulting in unusually foggy mornings and wet ground. It would take nearly a week of sunshine to dry everything out after the few days of rain. I camped up on Grapevine Hills Rd andenjoyed one of the most spectacular sunsets of the trip. It began as a yellow orb below the cloud cover and illuminated the clouds in various colors through the strata up to the dark blue above.
Near the Boquillas Canyon at the south end of the park exists one of the smallest border crossing in the US. The Boquillas crossing reopened in 2013 and allowed tourism dollars and visitors to the park to experince the flavor of a small Mexican puebla in the Chihuahuan desert. LINK The town exists almost solely on tourism and has a somewhat staged feel about it after visiting real towns within the Mexican Baja Peninsula. Once across the river, one can rent a burro or horse for $8, or hitch a ride in a pickup for $5 to the 1/2mi uphill to the customs post. I chose to walk and enjoy the windblown sand and view of Sierra Del Carmen to the east. Once in town I got the free tourist visa and stamp on my passport then headed out to photograph the small village. The community is built of an assortment of adobe or cinderblock dwellings, most in quite poor shape but lovingly attended. One small church stands in brightly painted yellow against the blue sky. I go inside to explore the lime green painted interior. The wind blows fiercely causing the wooden ceiling panels to sway inside overhead. Groans and creaks of the old building echo through the small church as if the building was alive, some would say it is. The worn pews and humble interior reflect a sacred but used space of a poor desert people.
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Mike SaundersIn May 2014 I quit my job to ride a Honda Ruckus over 69'000 mi and counting. Wild camping most nights and cooking most of my own meals, I keep the costs low and the landscape changing. Archives
April 2018
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