Author: Mike Long; Published: Oct 20, 2011; Category: Big Bend Info, General, Mountain Bike Event, Trails; Tags: Big Bend Info, Cycling, Mountain Bike; No Comments
Fall has finally arrived to the Big Bend area and has brought with it cooler temperatures perfect for getting out and riding.
Cycling season here in Terlingua is typically from about the end of September to about the end of April. Our seasons for riding are a bit backward from the rest of the country, prime time out here is the off-season for a lot of other places. If you are looking for a place to ride to extend your fall riding season or a place to escape the winter doldrums, Big Bend could be exactly what you are seeking. And don’t forget that Spring starts early out this way, come on out and celebrate with us at the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest in mid-February.
Now is the time to start planning your Fall, Winter or Spring Mountain Biking trip to the Chihuahuan Desert and the Big Bend has some of the most spectacular riding of West Texas.
Author: Mike Long; Published: Oct 14, 2011; Category: Big Bend Info, Current Events, General, Mountain Bike Event, Trails; Tags: Big Bend Info, Cycling, Festival, Mountain Bike; No Comments
Contrabando Trails, BBRSP - photo by Crystal Allbright
Save the dates for the next edition of the Chihuahuan Desert Dirt Fest: February 16-18, 2012.
Desert Sports and Texas Parks and Wildlife at Big Bend Ranch State Park are teaming up again to present 3 full days of fun desert riding over Presidents’ Day Weekend in 2012. In 2011 we hosted rides in Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Lajitas Resort Trails - some of the best riding in the whole Big Bend area. Last year we celebrated the newly dedicated IMBA EPIC ride in the State Park, the Fresno/Sauceda Loop. In 2012 we continue the tradition with rides on the Contrabando trails, the Rincon Loop and the Lajitas trails. We’ll be working on some new options for the upcoming year’s schedule of events and may even include an opportunity for doing the EPIC as a 2-day ride for folks wanting a more leisurely pace.
We are still working on a final schedule of rides and events, so stay tuned and check back for more information. We’ll be posting more details on our event web pages at http://www.desertsportstx.com/mountain-bike-event/ .
Author: Desert Toad; Published: Jul 19, 2011; Category: Big Bend Info, Current Events, General, Rio Grande Info, Tours; Tags: Big Bend Info, Rafting, Tours; 4 Comments
Colorado Canyon at 1500 cfs
Rio Conchos joins flows with the Rio Grande as a release of water from Mexico’s reservoir, Luis Leon, has reached the Big Bend area. We saw Colorado Canyon at a ‘fun way to spend a hot day’ level of 1500 cfs yesterday in Big Bend Ranch State Park. And today, Santa Elena is at a lovely one-day level at 1750 cfs. And hey, there is shade at the take-out thanks to Big Bend National Park. Wheel keep you posted.
Author: Mike Long; Published: Jul 14, 2011; Category: Big Bend Info, Current Events, General, Rio Grande Info, Tours; Tags: Big Bend Info, Rafting, Rio Grande, Tours; 7 Comments
Yesterday we got notice that Mexico was going to start a release from the Rio Conchos. The Rio Conchos feeds into the Rio Grande just above Presidio and augments the river flows through both Big Bend Ranch State Park as well as Big Bend National Park. Based on information available on the web, Mexico opened the gates at the dam on the Luis Leon reservoir today and it is flowing about 1200 CFS. We should be seeing increased flows starting the first part of next week and it is supposed to last between 15 and 30 days.
If you have been thinking of coming out to the Big Bend to raft on the Rio Grande, this could be your window of opportunity. We should be seeing flows that will make it possible for us to offer all our river trips. We’ll keep you posted as the situation develops, but give us a shout if you have questions.
Let’s Go Rafting!!!
Author: Mike Long; Published: Aug 28, 2010; Category: Big Bend Info, Current Events, Rio Grande Info; Tags: Big Bend Info, Canoeing, passport, Rafting, Rules & Regulations; 3 Comments
Ok, here is the latest update on Passport Requirements for going on river trips on the Rio Grande in the Big Bend area of Texas. We are in receipt of a letter from the National Park Service, United States Department of Interior, that relates policy changes for River Usage on the Rio Grande along the Texas/Mexico border. These statements reflect changes in the enforcement of existing regulations by US Customs and Border Patrol.
The following are direct quotes from the letter we received from Big Bend National Park:
“First, a U.S. Passport is not required to use the river in Big Bend National Park or the Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River. Additionally, a U.S. Customs declaration form is no longer required for river trips.
Second, visitors and river outfitters may not use the Mexican bank of the river, as international border crossing is only legal at a Port of Entry. Visitors may not hike into Mexico or the side canyons of Mexico. Visitors additionally may not plan a trip to camp in Mexico or on the Mexican shore. The exception is in cases of emergency: visitors may land on the Mexican side of the river to scout rapids, to bail out a boat, to repack gear, and for other safety reasons.”
These policy changes were presented to us in a letter dated August 20, 2010.
If you have questions on how this new interpretation of the regulations will affect Desert Sports river trips, give us a shout (either email or give us a call). While these changes will have an effect on some of our camps and hikes, we are still able to visit the fantastic canyons of the Rio Grande. Stay tuned for more updates.
If you have questions on the new enforcement of these regulations and how they affect the current NPS policy changes we suggest contacting the following folks:
Bill Wellman, BBNP Superintendent; bill_wellman@nps.gov
David Elkowitz, BBNP Chief of Interpretation, david_elkowitz@nps.gov
Bill Brooks, Customs and Border Patrol, Marfa Sector, william.brooks@dhs.gov
