Big Bend National Park
Big Bend is a long way from anywhere. The nearest town- Marathon is 70 miles away. It receives very few visitors compared to other parks. The mountains comprising Big Bend NP, rise dramatically up from the flat desert. They are ancient eroded limestone reefs with a pinkish, or brick-red cast to them. "The Basin" - is a high mountain valley surrounded by peaks, and ridges. Vertical spars, and fins of a more erosion resistant yellow rock jut out from the dull red slopes. Big Bends distance from city lights makes for dark skies, and spectacular sky gazing.
Standing in front of Santa Elena Canyon you see a wall of 2,000
foot cliffs, and hills stretching from horizon to horizon. The canyon is
a slice into this barrier. It was carved by a tributary of the Rio Grande.
If your willing to wade across a deep creek, you can hike into the canyon.
The photo on the left shows the Santa Elena Cliffs stretching off into the
distance to the south. The photo on the right was taken from the near same spot
looking south-west directly into the mouth of the canyon.
Other Big Bend Views
Mule's Ears Peaks
Other Big Bend Links
All images © John Donohue, 1995,1996