Big bend 11/21 - ???

[phaserburn]

I have the week of Thanksgiving off and I have never been to Big Bend! I know this is bad timing for ya'll with families. Since it will be 2 days out and 2 days back, I wanted to spend some time there. Is anybody close by that wants to make a weekend of it and show me the ropes? I really dont want to go solo and figure we can spend Monday the 23rd / 24th tearing up some trails.

Post any suggestions, trails, pictures. Any help planning would be appreciated! I am coming from North Dallas.

 

[elbrff]

Hey - I'm planning on going to Big Bend on Thanksgiving week as well ::008::

 

[phaserburn]

That's awesome! Besides google earth, what are the good trails? Any good maps I should get for the area? I plan on camping the whole time, hopefully snakes and bugs wont be an issue this time of year. Want to meet up in Junction / Fort Stockton? As mentioned, never been before and never been much for making trip plans, but something like this I'm hoping to post some ideas here later this week if interested.

 

[gunner]

Jeremy,

If you have never been to the area, this is what I would recommend:

Ride to Balmorhea and take Hwy 17 South to Ft. Davis. Camp at Ft. Davis State Park and go see the historic fort. Ride the scenic loop, Hwy 118, North out of Ft. Davis to the McDonald Observatory (stop in and take a tour and check to see if they are having a star party that night. You won't want to miss it) to Hwy 166 which loops back around to just South of Ft. Davis.

From Ft. Davis ride down to Marfa and ride the Pinto Canyon Road, Ranch Road 2810 to Hwy 170. About 2/3 of it is easy dirt after starting out paved. From there ride Southeast to Presidio and continue on 170 (the River Road) to Lajitas and Terlingua. You can camp at Study Butte or go on into Big Bend NP and camp up at the Basin or Rio Grand Village.

Where you go inside the Park depends on what tires you are running and how difficult of terrain you want to tackle. Here is a link to the map of the park:

http://www.nps.gov/maps/print/?lat=39.3683&lng=4.9219&zoom=5&printId=f162fe17-387a-d058-4ac7-0131272f8686

There is also the Big Bend State Park if you want more dirt.

Sorry I can't join you.

Enjoy,

Steve

 

[gunner]

You can ride directly out there, it's 516 miles from Frisco to Ft. Davis to save yourself a day there and have an extra day in the area, and take two days to ride home through Marathon, Langtry, Leaky, Fredericksburg and Llano.

Steve

 

[elbrff]

That's awesome! Besides google earth, what are the good trails? Any good maps I should get for the area? I plan on camping the whole time, hopefully snakes and bugs wont be an issue this time of year. Want to meet up in Junction / Fort Stockton? As mentioned, never been before and never been much for making trip plans, but something like this I'm hoping to post some ideas here later this week if interested.

I've been to Big Bend several times but this will be my first time riding there, so can't help with trail ideas. I'm sure we can find lots of good suggestions in this forum though, like the one above.
I'll be going through San Antonio and will take highway 90 through Del Rio, Sanderson, Marathon, Alpine (IH-10 is very boring). Can I convince you to come down to hwy 90? This is a much nicer ride and with better spots for some needed breaks. I won't be camping though, I'm planning on staying in Terlingua ghost town.

 

[tomatocity]

Here is a loop that has more than I marked https://goo.gl/maps/SV47skiP3w22

 

[Motard932]

A fun trip I did last year was crossing at the new Boquillas del Carmen border station. Cross Rio Grande by a row boat, take a donkey into town and enjoy a fantastic meal at the restaurant. 2 hour excursion and very fun. BTW, watch your speed in BB park, I didn't. 45 everywhere. And Ranger Rick was trying to make his quota.

 

[Madhatter]

phaserburn, you might try Richard gibbons of two wheeled Texans , he has a book on big bend and includes a map . the price is reasonable . his e-mail is rgibbens.rr.com

 

[Madhatter]

my bad... rgibbens@austin.rr.com

 

[tomatocity]

phaserburn, you might try Richard gibbons of two wheeled Texans , he has a book on big bend and includes a map . the price is reasonable . his e-mail is rgibbens.rr.com

http://www.texasadventure.net/cool-stuff/ride-guides/

 

[phaserburn]

I've been to Big Bend several times but this will be my first time riding there, so can't help with trail ideas. I'm sure we can find lots of good suggestions in this forum though, like the one above.
I'll be going through San Antonio and will take highway 90 through Del Rio, Sanderson, Marathon, Alpine (IH-10 is very boring). Can I convince you to come down to hwy 90? This is a much nicer ride and with better spots for some needed breaks. I won't be camping though, I'm planning on staying in Terlingua ghost town.

Yeah man, we can definitely meet down your way off of HWY 90. When were you looking to get things started? I got a new gps (mine died this week) and tank bag (broke this week to). So im hoping to have everything in by Saturday.

Thanks all, ordered up some maps! Big Bend – a guide for all motorcyclists, 2nd edition + 2 topographical maps – $25

Great suggestion! Any other mexican border towns you recommend? I got my passport card ready!

 

[tomatocity]

Would like to but have a KLR trip beginning the 21st and a friends 50th Birthday after that.

 

[elbrff]

Yeah man, we can definitely meet down your way off of HWY 90. When were you looking to get things started? I got a new gps (mine died this week) and tank bag (broke this week to). So im hoping to have everything in by Saturday.

Thanks all, ordered up some maps! Big Bend – a guide for all motorcyclists, 2nd edition + 2 topographical maps – $25

Great suggestion! Any other mexican border towns you recommend? I got my passport card ready!

I guess I'll be camping after all... my wife is bringing the truck and it's got a camper shell. What about we meet in Marfa early evening on Saturday? There's a campground first come first serve, called Tumble Inn and it's $15 a night. If that sounds OK, make sure to plan a stop in Fort Davis!
We can go to Boquillas del Carmen in Mexico!

 

[Motard932]

Don't miss Boquilles de Carmen!!!!

 

[retiredusaf]

Man, sounds like a great time this time of year! I may have to try to and come out

 

[elbrff]

Hey - I'll stay Friday night in San Antonio. It would be nice if you wanted to leave Saturday morning and hit 90 together ::008::

 

[Motowalt]

Sorry I won't be able to join you...looks like fun. Cold temps arriving on Saturday...
Some good suggestions here so far...lots to see and ride...Richard's book is a great guide and accurately describes the difficulty levels of the various dirt roads there.
Definitely ride Hwy 170 Terlingua to Presidio (nice twisty pavement)....beautiful scenery/overlooks across the river of Old Mexico...
Pinto Canyon road is great dirt road ride in the middle of nowhere...
Also be sure to take a dip in the hot springs in the park...it's a short hike from the parking lot, but I wouldn't leave any gear unlocked on the bike there.
The river road within the park (dirt) can be a challenge on our big bikes without knobbies because of areas of deep sand/gravel. On one trip we came across a KTM rider that had a get off and couldn't ride out due to a broken leg. It was several hours before help arrived and a long bumpy ride out for him to medical attention.
Have fun and be safe.
Be sure to post pics of your ride.

 

[elbrff]

Thanks for the useful info, much appreciated!

 

[phaserburn]

We are camping in marfa tonight! Not too late to join the fun!!!