Unregistered

I am going to Big Bend and want to camp. My husband is worried it might be dangerous if I am alone.

Also, how is cell phone reception in the Big Bend/Davis mtns? If I am hiking alone and need to make a call, I am concerned about reception.

Thanks!

Shannon

Cell reception is slim to none. I recall us driving to the Panther Junction ranger station before we got decent reception to let family know we'd arrived safe and were enjoying our trip.

I'd recommend going with a friend, for peace of mind and in case one of you gets hurt, dehydrated or whatnot. If you've done solo camping and hiking or backpacking before, then your mileage may vary, but for the typical weekend warrior I'd recommend not going solo.

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Unregistered

Unfortunately, either I go myself or have to take my husband and 8, 6 and 2 year old.

I read an article today about the renewed alert for kidnappings around border towns, so my main concern is camping in an area where there may be drug traffickers, etc.

ploddinTod

Plus if you're a small woman, the big cat (cougar) might be giving you the eye as you hike up the trail. Something to consider! :eek:

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PloddinTod

01ACRViper

i called a friend from Vernon Bailey Peak, but i couldn;t get any reception on Emory i doubt the desert floor or any other place would be any better this time of year you would only have to worry about the heat, snakes, and the small chance of a mountain lion encounter if you are a smaller person

Unregistered

True, true...

I found a fellow photographer friend tonight who is also off that week and might be able to come with me. Seems like a safer alternative.

Thanks everyone!

Alchemist2000

Are mountain lions really much of a risk at Big Bend? Admittedly, even ONE attack is one too many if I am on the receiving end, but I personally never worried about it. However, since two of you mentioned it, I got concerned and starting digging for more info.

The webpage is probably out of date, but the National Park's site says the area has about 150 sightings per year. There have only been four moutain lion attacks since 1984, apparently none fatal (at least to the people). I think the most recent moutain lion attack was several years ago and was an old lion not able to catch normal prey. I still don't know how to assess the real risk to a solo hiker, even if they are small, but at least the attacks have been few and far between so far.

P.S. I would be much more worried about dehydration or an injury than mountain lions or bears. Even injuries or other such problems need not be disasterous if you are on a major trail. Although it never felt "crowded", we encountered numerous people on the trail on a backpacking trip to South Rim last August, certainly not the most crowded time of the year at Big Bend.

Unregistered

I have gotten cell reception at sw 3 with an external antennae. I have cingular.
I have hiked in August and felt the weather was fine. I would check and see if Boot Spring is running. It is the pits hauling tons of water. They can usually tell you if you check around.

As far as the cats.... The drive there is much more likely to kill you! Just go and enjoy the peace and quiet. I solo hike it often and take a good Western and sit on the rim and read..Seems like your there!!

ploddinTod

How did you handle the heat and address your water needs at that point of the summer?

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PloddinTod

Alchemist2000

Heat was not a serious problem in the moutains. My recollection was that it was rarely out of the 70's (maybe low 80's??) in the 4 or 5 days we were there. It was in the 50's at night, at least at South Rim. It would definitely have been much hotter than that at lower elevation near the river. The park's webpage seems to be consistent with that. (Note that the text says the temperatures in the mountains are usually 5-10 degrees below those listed in the table and 5-10 degrees hotter on the river.) If you are interested, you can monitor the daily weather report and the current weather in the Chisos Basin.

We carried all of our water (a gallon per day per person) and planned our meals in anticipation of dry camps. That meant the packs were very heavy going up the mountain, but at least they were considerably lighter gong back down. Last year, which was unusually wet, there was plenty of water in Boot Spring. We ended up staying only two nights in the mountains, but would have treated water from Boot Spring if we had decided to stay a third night. It also rained some each night we were there. I am not sure whether that is normal or not, but it is my impression that August is almost always in the "rainy season".

Having said all that, it would be fine with me if everyone continued to believe the myth that it is unbearable in August in Big Bend. We were certainly not alone in the park, but the lack of crowds was sheer delight....nothing like the crowds during Spring Break.

ploddinTod

Alchemist,

Thanks for the links and comments on conditions when you were there.

For those interested, the current (August) issue of Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine has an article on a backpacking trip that covers both the National Park and the State Park.

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PloddinTod

OutdoorPhoto.com

Heat and dehydration are clearly the greatest dangers facing hikers at Big Bend. This is especially true considering the vast network of trails that make up the non-mountainous areas of the park. Quite frankly, when you're not in the Chisos Mountain Basis you're basically hiking in desert conditions.

If you wouldn't hike in the desert by yourself, which I believe is a GREAT policy, don't hike at Big Bend by yourself either!

And as other folks have mentioned, it doesn't take a dramatic injury for things to go downhill quickly. If something happens which makes you immobile, a life-threatening situation can develop quickly...

copuswalker

Oh,,,,Go for it. The most dangerous part will be getting there and home again

I have solo hiked the rim many times and have been there in August and not seen a sole after leaving Boot Spring. I like the challenge of going alone. Sure there are risk but.....The world would still be flat if we were all to safety concious
You can call and see if Boot Spring is running. You may have to try a few times to get somone who has been in the mountains recently. I though August was a great time....Really want to get away and have a nice site, tey ne4...sit on the rim and read a good Western!!

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Alchemist2000

Thanks for the tip!! I ran out tonight and grabbed a copy. I really enjoyed it. There is also an interesting article about South Llano State Park (I still have fond memories of a stop there over one spring break just to see the wild turkeys) and an article about wildlife photography in south Texas. All of that is significant to me, because for some reason I thought the magazine was primarily about hunting and fishing. I had therefore generally not paid any attention to it. I have nothing against hunting and fishing, you understand, just not my things. I am glad to know it covers lots more than just that!

I do have a question for some of you south Texas and Big Bend hikers....One of the sidebars in the above mentioned magazine article talks about hikes in Big Bend Ranch State Park and specifically a 17-mile walk out of the Solitario through what he calls the "Lower Shut Up" towards Lajitas. Anybody know anything about that? For some reason, probably totally wrong, I thought you had to have special permission or be on a guided tour to go to the Solitario (the 9 mile in diameter volcanic caldera).

Oh, I love the Big Bend SO MUCH! Looking at the pictures and digging out the maps has whetted my appetite for another trip. I wish it were not so dang far away.