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Big Bend National Park > The Chisos Mountains
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The hazy peaks of the Chisos Mountains come first into view when through the Persimmon Gap - the one breach in the high Santiago Mountains north of Big Bend National Park. There isn't much of note in the northern section of the park, which has a wide desert plain flanked by distant hills; the two main points of interest are the Dagger Flat Auto Trail, a drive to a forest of giant yucca plants, and the Grapevine Hills, a colorful region of eroded rocks and mud dunes. The entrance road (US 385) ends at Panther Junction, location of the main visitor center. A left turn eventually reaches Boquillas Canyon in the southeast, while the road to the right leads past the Chisos Mountains and on to the more-visited western section of the park; a turning soon after the junction goes directly into the mountains.
The Access Road: This road is 6 miles long, quite steep at one point and with some hairpin bends that reduce speeds to 15 mph and make the route not recommended for vehicles over 24 foot long. The vegetation changes markedly over a short distance - from cacti through a zone with bushes and grassland, to fir and pine woodland. From a highpoint of 5,679 feet at Panther Pass the road descends into the sheltered Chisos Basin which has quite extensive development including lodges, shops and camping areas; this is generally the most popular location to stay in the park as other areas tend to be too hot for much of the year.
The Window: The basin is circled by high peaks and vertical, weathered cliffs, the one exception being due west where the desert is visible through a V-shaped gap known as The Window - orientated just right to watch the sun set below the horizon. A short loop path leads to a good vantage point and a 2 mile trail follows the valley (Spring Canyon) to the window itself, from which much more of the lands to the west can be seen.
Hiking: Hiking is the main reason to visit the Chisos Mountains - a variety of long foot paths cross the hills and valleys, mostly south of the basin. Besides the Window Trail, the other popular half day trip is the Lost Mine Trail which climbs to a high ridge overlooking the desert to the southeast. The majority of the other options require an overnight stay in a primitive campsite, or a more strenuous all day hike. They include a climb up Emory Peak, the highest summit in Big Bend National Park (4.5 miles one way, elevation gain 2,200 feet), or the South Rim Trail (several routes, with a round trip of at least 14 miles).
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Photography
Photographs - 5 images of the Chisos Mountains
QTVR Panorama - south of the mountains: small | large |
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