View Full Version : Hammock in Big Bend NP
I’m going to Big Bend NP for a few days at the end of this month…anyone ever been there? Was thinking of taking my hammock, but I’ve been to west Texas a couple of times and haven’t seen a lot of trees…I looked at the park on goggle earth and it dose look like there are a few trees along some of the valleys and up in the high country.
I don't know how often it is updated, but I have seen some areas on google earth that are satelite images over a couple years old. Something to keep in mind.
Skidsteer
04-11-2007, 22:14
There won't be many straight trees....
...or tall ones. I've not been to BB but I've been mule deer hunting nearby.
Big Bend may be different though.
Cookerhiker
04-11-2007, 22:51
I’m going to Big Bend NP for a few days at the end of this month…anyone ever been there? Was thinking of taking my hammock, but I’ve been to west Texas a couple of times and haven’t seen a lot of trees…I looked at the park on goggle earth and it dose look like there are a few trees along some of the valleys and up in the high country.
I spent 6 days in Big Bend in early March. It's wonderful! You'll love it.
I'm not much of a hammock person but here's what I remember: In the Chisos Mountains area - the most popular locale for hikers and backpackers - there are sufficient trees for hammocking in general. However, all backpacking must be in designated campsites which are assigned when you get your permit (cost $10). So I don't know whether all sites have trees but I'm sure some do. The Rangers can tell you.
The Chisos have trees because they're the highest points in the Park. I suspect they're the only area with trees. I backpacked on a circuit named the Marufo Vega trail at a lower elevation closer to the Rio Grande. Pure desert backpacking - zero trees. Lots of rocks and cacti though. Barely found a place for my tent. If you're willing to cowboy camp and want to experience a desert backpack, this trail and others await you.
Lastly on BB, set aside a day for a canoe trip on the Rio Grande - it's worth it!
Footslogger
04-11-2007, 23:32
I’m going to Big Bend NP for a few days at the end of this month…anyone ever been there? Was thinking of taking my hammock, but I’ve been to west Texas a couple of times and haven’t seen a lot of trees…I looked at the park on goggle earth and it dose look like there are a few trees along some of the valleys and up in the high country.
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I've hiked Big Bend. Did a 7 day loop starting and ending in Chisos Basin. Depends a great deal on your route but if you go south and hook west there won't be much to tie onto until you round the corner and head back north into Laguna Meadows. From Laguna Meadows back into the Chisos Basin area there are good trees.
'Slogger
Tent. Take bird book. Read about those indiginous deer. Shade of some sort.
BB is desert--lots of cactus plants, rattlesnakes, jack rabbits and a few black bears in the basin. The only place to use a hammock is the hike from Chisios Basin up to the South rim and Emory peak. There are ample tent sites as the park assigns to a specific location for each night.
Before you start any hike, check on water availability. There is usually water at Boot Canyon, but even this can be dry.
Stag3
I wish I could have gone a little earlier in the year, as by late April the weather is hot and sunny:sun in SW Texas. I would love to get on the river, but I guess I will decide when I get there based on weather. Right now I am thinking about sticking to the Chisos Mountains area as it should be a little cooler in the high country, and I think I will risk taking the hammock. I’ve used it before as a tarp with a bivy and it worked out OK.
I spent 6 days in Big Bend in early March. It's wonderful! You'll love it.
I backpacked on a circuit named the Marufo Vega trail at a lower elevation closer to the Rio Grande. Pure desert backpacking - zero trees. Lots of rocks and cacti though. Barely found a place for my tent. If you're willing to cowboy camp and want to experience a desert backpack, this trail and others await you.
Desert camped in Zion NP a few years ago and Death Valley...the Death Vally trip was in the spring a few years ago and the wind blew so hard it flattened my tent…not much sleep that night but an interesting adventure non the less. :o
Cookerhiker
04-12-2007, 20:44
Desert camped in Zion NP a few years ago and Death Valley...the Death Vally trip was in the spring a few years ago and the wind blew so hard it flattened my tent…not much sleep that night but an interesting adventure non the less. :o
Wow does that sound familiar! In Death Valley March '91 camping for the first time in my new Sierra Designs Clip Flashlight tent, the winds from the night dust storm were so strong, my tent pole snapped. Somehow I rigged the tent using the half-pole. Made for a tough night. Campmoor replaced the tent.
Cookerhiker
04-12-2007, 20:45
BB is desert--lots of cactus plants, rattlesnakes, jack rabbits and a few black bears in the basin. The only place to use a hammock is the hike from Chisios Basin up to the South rim and Emory peak. There are ample tent sites as the park assigns to a specific location for each night.
Before you start any hike, check on water availability. There is usually water at Boot Canyon, but even this can be dry.
Stag3
Boot Canyon was dry when I was there the first week in March.
Shutterbug
04-14-2007, 17:30
I’m going to Big Bend NP for a few days at the end of this month…anyone ever been there? Was thinking of taking my hammock, but I’ve been to west Texas a couple of times and haven’t seen a lot of trees…I looked at the park on goggle earth and it dose look like there are a few trees along some of the valleys and up in the high country.
Like most National Parks, you have to get a permit for an assigned camping area. Most of the areas I visited were suitable for hanging a hammock. It has been my experience that if I get a site that isn't suitable, I swap with someone who is tenting.
You can check my pictures of Big Bend -- taken last Novermber.
http://www.davemcclung.com/album/displayimage.php?album=56&pos=0
Slosteppin
04-16-2007, 08:39
I suggest you call the park HQ and ask about hammocks.
I'm planning a trip to Isle Royale (another NP) late this summer. I really wanted to use the hammock. There are lots of trees on the island. When I called to ask the answer was very quick "hammocks are not allowed."
Camping at designated sites is also required.
Slosteppin
Shutterbug
04-18-2007, 02:17
I suggest you call the park HQ and ask about hammocks.
I'm planning a trip to Isle Royale (another NP) late this summer. I really wanted to use the hammock. There are lots of trees on the island. When I called to ask the answer was very quick "hammocks are not allowed."
Camping at designated sites is also required.
Slosteppin
It has been my experience that it is better to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission.
aaronthebugbuffet
04-18-2007, 04:28
Check out this site http://www.bigbendchat.com/
I got some good info from there when I went last November.
Sutterbug...Thanks for the info and the pixs..very nice.
Aaronthebugbuffet...very good link!
I leave Thursday, can't wait!
Chaplain
05-01-2007, 00:19
Big Bend is beautiful in the Spring. Realize it is the only Nat'l Park with its own self contained Mtn Range. Sunset from the rim is spectacular. I hammock and go there each spring. I have even tied off my HH to cliffs. I never take a stove. I take food I do not have to cook, to save wight room for water. More water you have, the longer you can stay out. Please remember people die in BB. It can be veyr dangerous. Have fun. Oh, floating the Rio Grande??!? Don't plan on it, the river isn't running last time I was there. -SunnyWalker ps. Don't miss St Elena canyon.
The Will
05-01-2007, 22:06
If you venture out of the Chisos, there will not be any trees to hang from.
I've gone to BB for 2-3 weeks each of the past three winters. I never thought of taking my hammock due to the tempertures and the trees, or lack there of. Many of the trees in the Chiso are of a small diamter and would do a lot of bending when weighted by a occupied hammock. That said, I'm sure it is possible, but only in the Chisos Mountains and a little more time may have to be alloted to a suitable location.
The Will
05-01-2007, 22:09
Slosteppin,
I wonder if the "no hammocks rule for Isle Rule is a new one. I spent 6 days there summer of '03 and used my hammock w/o incident.
Slosteppin
05-02-2007, 21:05
Slosteppin,
I wonder if the "no hammocks rule for Isle Rule is a new one. I spent 6 days there summer of '03 and used my hammock w/o incident.
I don't know that. I had heard that some National Parks do not allow hammocks. So I called about 3 months ago and asked about hammocks. I got an instant answer, "Hammocks are not allowed." I will ask a Ranger on the island when I get there.
I bought a Big Agnes Insulated Aircore so I could sleep on the ground, instead of an underquilt for the HH. The ground seems to be much harder than it was 10 years ago.http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/icons/icon8.gif
Slosteppin
I got an instant answer, "Hammocks are not allowed." I will ask a Ranger on the island when I get there.
Slosteppin
I just got back from my trip and did get a chance to use my Hammock. I stayed up in the Chisos Mts close to Emory Peak and asked for a sight with trees...It was great for the hammock, but I did not speicificly say I was using a hammock..."don't ask don't tell". The other nights I stayed in the desert and car camped.
The park was an incredible experience.
I will post a couple of pics this weekend.
Added 5/5
http://i18.tinypic.com/689nnte.jpg
http://i15.tinypic.com/6ajc9sj.jpg
[/URL]http://i19.tinypic.com/4vpq23k.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i19.tinypic.com/4vpq23k.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
http://i17.tinypic.com/6chysqs.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i17.tinypic.com/6chysqs.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
[URL]http://i15.tinypic.com/5yv9kp4.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/%5BIMG%5Dhttp://i15.tinypic.com/5yv9kp4.jpg%5B/IMG%5D)
Any cool birds?
I believe I saw and heard a Colima warbler, which I think is native only in the Chisos Mountain area. I saw and recorded what I think was a Western wren.
I also saw lots of ravens and buzzards, (the buzzards I saw on their rocky roost with wings spread, soaking in the early morning sun) and a variety of other songs I don't hear here in the east. ( saw a few I did not recognize)
I also took a pic of a western Jay…More blue and bigger than the blue Jays we see here in Ohio.
Chaplain
06-22-2008, 00:29
Good place to view raptors also. Try the mine hike (Can't remember the spefic name but it's something "mind) and then at the summit view to the West to the cliffs of the rim. Bring binocs.