Sam Nail Ranch, Big Bend National Park
On our way to Castolon and Santa Elena Canyon, we encountered exhibits on two large ranches in the Big Bend that were founded between 1909 and 1929. Known as the “Sam Nail Ranch” and the “Homer Willson Ranch” (ne. Blue Creek Ranch), they varied in size from 15,000 to 28,000 acres. Both were occupied until the 1940’s , and later incorporated into the Big Bend National Park. The Homer Wilson ranch was one of the largest ranches in the United States, and the most significant one in the Big Bend Area. Read the entire article at
The Teardrop Trail starts with Jim and Marilyn’s first, excellent adventure in teardrop travel. Camping is fun, but the days of tent camping are probably over for us. We hit the road with a teardrop trailer, seeing the sights, meeting people, enjoying the adventure. Join us for more trips down the Teardrop Trail at
Big Bend National Park - Chisos Mountains To Rio Grande Loop Hike Jan 2016 - 85 Miles
In January 2016 I completed a 7 day backpacking trip in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Much of my chosen route was off trail, and quite remote. I did not see a single person until the end of day 4 after hiking over 50 miles. I had a mountain lion in camp night 1, heard lots of coyotes, saw Aoudad (Barbary Sheep) in Mariscal Canyon, and lots of other wildlife along the way.
Here's a quick rundown on the route I hiked:
Day 1 - Started at the Homer Wilson ranch and hiked a canyon east of Goat Mountain to the Mule ears area. Camped near Smoky Spring
Day 2 - Hiked up Jack's Pass down to Dominguez Spring, then down to camp in the open desert south of Dominguez near some badlands
Day 3 - Hiked down to the Rio near Talley, then up to the Mariscal Canyon overlook where I camped for the night
Day 4 - Hiked the spine of the Mariscal Mountain range north to Mariscal Mine, then northwest towards Elephant Tusk. Camped about 2 miles NE of ET trailhead
Day 5 - ET trail north to Adler Spring and then to the Dodson, taking that east to Juniper Canyon
Day 6 - Juniper Canyon trail to Boot Canyon to the South Rim
Day 7 - Northeast Rim trail to Boot Canyon to Pinnacles trail, down to the Chisos Basin
If you want to read more about this hike, see all the pictures, get the maps, GPX files for your GPS and more, read the full trip report on my Big Bend hike here:
Trail to Homer Wilson Water Cache (Big Bend National Park)
Blue Creek Canyon
Blue Creek Ranch was the heart of Homer Wilson's ranching operations in the Chisos Mountains before the Big Bend park was established in the 1940s. Wilson's house still lies in the bottom of Blue Creek Canyon, a major drainage on the southwestern side of the Chisos Mountains.
Big Bend National Park - Sam Nail Ranch
Big Bend Outer Mountain Loop - Ultralight Backpacking Part 1
This is the first day of my hike on Big Bend National Parks Outer Mountain Loop Trail. The Outer Mountain Loop is a loop made from a series of trails traveling from desert to the South Rim of the Chisos Mountains. My total route was 27.2 miles.
In this part I travel 10.5 - 10.75 miles along the Dodson Trail. I started from The Homer Wilson Ranch House and traveled counter clockwise. This is opposite of what the NPS suggests you do. Also, I did not personally cache water but instead chose to filter from natural sources.
Part 2:
Water below Apache Spring October 2012
We finally found water in Apache Canyon in Big Bend National Park! We hiked in from the West and were some miles in. I was out of water after a mishap with the spout of my camelback while on a break; I lost all 3L! I knew we would find water, I could smell it all around, but it was my wife, Sandi, who spotted the small seep I had climbed over three times already.
Hiking Big Bend - Outer Mountain Loop
The Outer Mountain Loop is widely considered one of the best loop hikes in North America and when combined with Big Bend National Park being one of America's least visited parks made this a near perfect hiking situation for me. Two things kept this hike from being perfect: water and heat. The end of April is about as late (maybe too late?) as you'd want to do Big Bend given the rising heat. Also there is no reliable water sources on the route so everything needs to be carried. Heat and the weight of my pack quickly took a toll on me but this experience still ended up as one of the most rewarding I've ever had. Thanks for watching.
0:21 Juniper Canyon Trailhead
1:03 Chisos Mountains From Juniper Canyon
3:11 Upper Juniper Spring Campsite
4:42 Boot Rock
4:56 Emory Peak
5:25 White-Tailed Deer
5:50 Spectacular View From the South Rim
6:19 Time-Lapse Tent Set-Up at Blue Creek
8:16 Lizard
8:26 View From Homer Wilson Ranch
11:28 Chisos Mountains From Dodson Trail
13:04 Photo Montage
Driving Through Big Bend National Park
Time lapse video taken while driving through Big Bend National Park in Texas on vacation in January 2016.
Cheapest Ocean View Lot on the Oregon Coast.
Cheapest Ocean View Lot on the Oregon Coast. Water and Power at Lot Line.
Buy Now:
This .13 Acre Lot is situated along NW Viewridge Dr in the popular Bayshore community only 3 minutes from the beautiful Oregon Coast. This lot has ocean views and is one of the last remaining premier building lots in this section of the subdivision.
This lot is close to all major shopping in Waldport including grocery stores, a hardware store for supplies and plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes to enjoy with friends or family.
This lot is also close to recreation including RV Parks for friends and family to stay, Drift Creek Wilderness Park for hiking and camping, the Alsea Bay for paddling and fishing Steal-head salmon and the Alsea River for more adventurous Kayaking and river floating.
The lot is located within the Bayshore Beach Club, offering a clubhouse on the beach, pool, tennis court and a playground for a low yearly fee of 200.00.
This property represents a great value for anyone building a vacation rental, personal vacation home or for a builder in the area.
Price: $16,999.00
Size: 0.13 Acres
APN: R191983
Address: 1902 NW View Ridge Dr Waldport Oregon 97394.
State: Oregon
County: Lincoln
General Elevation: 158 ft.
GPS: 44.440078, -124.074305
Zoning: Residential Land
Power: At Street
Water: At Street
Sewer: Septic Installation Needed.
VID00033
02/14/15: Randi & Gary backpacking the Outer Mountain Loop in Big Bend National Park. In this video, we just got out of our tent and Randi is preparing our oatmeal. We are camped on the Blue Creek Trail near the Homer Wilson Ranch.
Big Bend Hikes First Day Lower Burro Mesa Trail
On this first day of our month long excursion into Big Bend national park, we conquer the lower Burro Mesa Trail, The Homer Wilson Ranch and the Sam Nails ranch. The weather was very good on this first day. I hope you enjoy this introduction into Big Bend National Park.
Solo Backpacking Big Bend 2019
A 28 mile, 3 night, modified OML beginning at Homer Wilson Ranch, east on the Dodson Trail to to Juniper Canyon. Up to the Chisos and Boot Canyon. Colima Trail to Laguna Meadows and then return to Homer Wilson via the Blue Creek Trail. Water sources included Fresno Creek Drainage, Juniper Spring, and Boot Canyon.
Smith Spring - Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Smith Spring is a great day hike at Guadalupe Mountains National Park. It is fairly easy (compared to other hikes at GUMO). The spring is an amazing place. Especially when you consider the harsh environment it is surrounded by. Its a special place.
On this trip, I also went off trail to a small cave near Smith Spring. I believe the cave used to be used as a sheep pen back in the ranching days of the Guadalupe Mountains.
Thanks for watching guys. Keep your eyes out for a lot of videos I have coming from Guadalupe Mountains.
Change in the Bend: Big Bend Documentary with Governor Ann Richards ©2000
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK Sotol Vista
A drive up Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, in Big Bend National Park, to the Sotol Vista Overlook.
Big Bend National Park: Big Bend In One Day
If you have only one day for your first visit to Big Bend National Park, here are a few suggestions. Part of the park's official Inside The Big Bend video series.
Lost Mine Trail Big Bend Texas
Hiking Lost Mine Trail Big Bend Texas
Big Bend - Outer Mountain Loop, Boquillas, Dirt Fest 2014
9 days of Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Ranch.
Outer Mountain Loop
Boquillas, Mexico
Chihuahua Desert Bike Fest 2014, Lajitas
GoPro HERO 2 HD
GoPro HERO 3+ Black
Music:
The Man With The Harmonica - Once Upon a Time in the West
Title Tracks from A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More.
Big Bend Lost Mine
Jessica and I hiking the Lost Mine trail at Big Bend. I decided to use my Oregon Scientific ATC3k Cam and harness it to my pack so I could capture some of the hike. Seems to work ok, except the obvious jarring motion of hiking and the light balance issues.