Near the center of Big Bend National Park, the Chisos Mountains soar above the surrounding desert terrain. Plants and animals that would have a difficult time surviving in the lower elevations find a home in the cooler air, and in rugged terrain that receives less direct sunlight.
Note: all pictures are in lightbox mode. Click for a larger image.
The road to Chisos Basin.
In this part of the park, trees become a more prominent feature of the landscape. Pinion pines, junipers, and oaks line the road.
Desert oak species tend to have small, leathery leaves to conserve water.
Pinion pine (Pinus edulis)
Chisos Basin has 60 campsites open to the public. During the hot months, this location at 5,400 feet is more comfortable than Cottonwood or Rio Grande Village, both of which are at lower elevations along the river.
If camping is a bit too close to nature for your tastes, 72 rooms are available at Chisos Mountains Lodge. Book your rooms in advance, because the lodge is often full.
Other accommodations include a visitor center, store, and restaurant. Having camped the night before, I was ready for a meal that I didn't have to fix. The restaurant at Chisos Basin had plenty of tables with great views. After lunch, I was ready to hike.
Chisos Basin
For my hike, I chose Lost Mine Trail. At 4.8 miles round trip, it was a short enough trail to fit my time constraints. Access was easy, with the trailhead being on the main road. The trail gains plenty of elevation, giving me the opportunity to experience the plant diversity of the area. Perhaps I might find a stray Douglas-fir or Arizona pine. I'm always intrigued by trees growing at the fringes of their natural ranges.
A sulphur butterfly searches for nectar while smaller insects gather on the other flowers.
Agave in partial shade next to trail.
Prickly pear with fruit.
Big Bend is so far removed from places that I have lived and worked that many of the plants and insects I saw were mysteries to me.
A bit of color along the trail.
Globemallow in bloom.
This tree has compound leaves and seeds that look like a species of ash, but I was not able to identify it with certainty.
Ash tree on the trail.
We're gaining elevation now. The trailhead is at the bottom of the slope, just off the right edge of the picture.
Looking west of the trail towards Casa Grande, elevation 7,325 feet.
Switchback on Lost Mine Trail.
Blister beetle on wildflower.
Flowers along Lost Mine Trail
Looking back on Casa Grande again, the access road and Chisos Basin are visible in the distance on the right side of the image.
Another view of Casa Grande.
Scarlet gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata).
This tree was a complete surprise to me. I had always associated madrone with the west coast. But there is also a Texas madrone, native to arid regions of Texas and New Mexico. The outer bark sloughs off in much the same way that sycamore does, leaving smooth branches. Pacific madrone is famous for being crooked. The Texas species is even more crooked, if you can imagine that.
Texas madrone, (Arbutus xalapensis).
Leaves and branches of Texas madrone.
I was about to run out of trail, and the only pines that I had seen were pinions. Finally, in the distance, I spied a group of taller pines that had denser foliage and cinnamon-colored bark. Apparently there has been some disagreement among botanists as to whether the park's large pines were ponderosa pine or Arizona pine, but the consensus is on the latter name.
Distant view of Arizona pine
The trail ends on a rocky ridge with views in every direction. These views are the hiker's reward for gaining all that elevation in the hot sunshine.
View towards the southeast.
Looking south towards Mexico.
One of my favorite rock formations.
One last view from the top, with Casa Grande in the distance.
I have enjoyed working on this series of photo diaries. Your comments added greatly to the previous diaries, and I welcome your input today. If you can identify any of the plants or insects whose names eluded me, those comments are also welcome.
I will close with a picturesque pine growing out of the rocks at the end of the trail.
Lone pinion on rocky ridge.
Links to previous diaries in this series:
Big Bend Photo Diary #1
Big Bend Photo Diary #2
Big Bend Photo Diary #3
The Police-Stating of America: On a Dark, Lonely Road in Texas
Links to park resources:
Big Bend National Park
Chisos Mountains Lodge
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