The scenery in the west of Big Bend National park is more varied than the east, and many of the interesting places are close to the 30 mile Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, which links Santa Elena Canyon with TX 118 north of the Chisos Mountains and is definitely the best road in the park. From the undulating lowlands west of the mountains the route offers several good viewpoints of the desert below including Sotol Vista Overlook, then descends quite steeply into a region of small canyons, colorful mounds and eroded rock. Highlights include the water carved formations of Burro Mesa Pouroff, and Mule Ears Spring, a desert oasis reached by a 1.9 mile trail.
Tuff Canyon: A much shorter trail leads to Tuff Canyon, a short but deep ravine in the desert. The enclosing rocks are volcanic tuff, quite resistant to erosion so the canyon has developed high walls; most watercourses flow across sand or mudstone and form shallow valleys with sloping sides. Another path descends to the mouth of the canyon and allows for upstream exploration.
Castolon: The land south of Tuff Canyon is especially colorful, with contrasting white, black and red rocks. Five miles beyond and close to the Rio Grande is the historic settlement of Castolon, with scattered old dwellings and farm machinery plus a small general store still in operation. Nearby the Cottonwood Campground has 31 sites in a quiet, scenic setting with the river banks on one side and a high rocky hill (Cerro Castellan) to the other.
The End of the Road: The main reason to drive this far is to visit beautiful Santa Elena Canyon - the start of the path into this canyon is 8 miles beyond the campsite, at the end of the paved road. Most people drive back the same way, but there is alternative route to the north; the unpaved Old Maverick Road. This is maintained so usually fine for all vehicles; it starts close to the Santa Elena trailhead and reaches TX 118 just inside the western park boundary after 14 miles. The only problems may be occasional streambed crossings - these may be rocky and/or muddy after recent rainfall. The surroundings are rugged and unspoilt, and there is an interesting old cabin, Luna's Jacal, home of a lone resident early this century. |
 |
|
