Hiker. Blogger. Photographer. CrossFitter. Dog Owner. Austinite.
Posts tagged sunsets
Last Lake Day of Summer
Aug 23rd
Sunset from West Beach Marina on Lake Travis
Sunday was most likely my last “Lake Day” of this summer, as my pal Chris will be pulling his boat out of the water for the season next week. An intrepid crew of seven rode the faithful Cracker I and a pair of jet skis to a quiet cove on the north side of the lake, then over to Devil’s Cove, where the party was winding down. It was scorching hot, and the water felt more like a bathtub, but a great day was had by all.
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Back From Puerto Rico
Aug 12th
The last, and best, sunset of my weeklong trip to Puerto Rico
Just got back tonight from a weeklong trip to Puerto Rico. The opportunity arose when my pal Marshall lost his original travel companion(s), and so I joined him and his colleague Blake for the first few days, including two rock star nights on the island of Vieques. My friend Lisa joined me for the remainder after they retreated to their conference. The weather was beautiful on Vieques and stormy on the main island. Lots of good food and drink, some beautiful beaches, two massive Spanish-era fortresses, a couple of soggy hikes, numerous claps of thunder, several close calls on the crazy roadways, a bioluminescent bay, and many good times were had by all.
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End of the Mesa de Anguila Trek
Apr 26th
Final approach to the saddle, the low point along the Mesa de Anguila's northern wall and easiest access route to the desert below.
Continues from “Hiking Back to Canyon Flag Camp”
Had we been able to follow our original plan, we would have awakened Saturday morning (April 3) above the mouth of Santa Elena Canyon, watching the sun rise over the distant Sierra del Carmen, or perhaps the Sierra Quemada. Instead, a lack of water on the Mesa de Anguila pushed us into visiting the canyon rim as a long dayhike. Now it was simply a matter of hiking back the way we’d come.
But first, we watched another beautiful sunrise from our campsite beneath Canyon Flag.
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Hiking Back to Canyon Flag Camp
Apr 22nd
Ryan and Brett try to decipher the ridges to pick the best route back to camp.
Continued from “On the Rim of Santa Elena Canyon”
Our time on the rim of Santa Elena Canyon was too short, but the lack of water on the Mesa de Anguila had forced us to turn the trek into a long dayhike. It was now time to return to our campsite beneath Canyon Flag, visible on the horizon as a mesa rising above the rolling plains. The problem was, the “rolling” aspect of the mesa was practically invisible.
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Of Dry Tinajas and Fiesty Winds
Apr 14th
Shortly after setting out on the search for a water source, I climbed a high ridge dividing the Mesa and Anguila and was rewarded with views of La Mariposa and distant mountains.
Continues from “Treading Onto the Mesa de Anguila”
While Ryan set off in search of an accessible water source, the other three of us huddled in the shrinking shade of the wash containing Tinaja Blanca. Eric slept under a rock outcrop, while Brett and I sat awkwardly on uneven rocks, occasionally discussing our options but mostly resting in silence. I went back to look again at the tinaja in its narrow, steep canyon.
We could pursue getting water from the tinaja 40 feet below us in the wash, a task that would be easier if the winds whipping up the narrow canyon would settle down. Because of the geometry, it would be necessary to lean out over the chasm to lower and raise our bucket into the pool, else we risk the razor-sharp limestone edge slicing through our rope. It wasn’t an appealing option, and I wouldn’t ask anyone to do it, as I, being not a fan of edges, wasn’t willing to put that much of my body off the rock.
If Ryan’s search turned up nothing, we always had the option of hiking down to the Rio Grande at Entrance Camp, though we would be consigned to making that long slog twice. Another option — admittedly a failure — was to climb Canyon Flag today and hike out in the morning, then find ourselves something else to do for two nights, preferably with greater water availability. There was also the possibility that Tinaja Lujan and other nearby potholes would have water; Ryan would let us know. I spent most of the time looking over the maps, hoping there was something we had missed.
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Southwest Rim to ‘The Front Porch’
Apr 11th
Walter completes his first backpacking trek as we reach the trailhead sign in the Chisos Basin, after two nights in the mountains.
Continues from “A Fine Day on the South Rim”
Building off the motif of the previous day, our last full day together in Big Bend would follow a simple plan. Hike down to the trailhead. Explore the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, Santa Elena Canyon, and Old Maverick Road. Meet my friends on “The Front Porch” in Terlingua. Camp below Rattlesnake Mountain.
First thing’s first, and that’s another beautiful sunrise, as seen from the amphitheater of the Southwest Rim No. 3 campsite.
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A Fine Day on the South Rim
Apr 10th
Walter overcomes his fear of edges to gaze off the brink of the South Rim.
Continues from “Pinnacle Pass and Emory Peak”
Our second day on the trails in the Chisos Mountains followed a simple plan. First, we hike up Boot Canyon, pausing to stare in awe at the views as appropriate, to get water for the rest of the hike. Second, we visit the rim. Third, we set up camp at SW3 and rest for a bit in the shade. Fourth, we carry our camp chairs, food, and other essentials (especially our headlamps) to the rim. Fifth, we sit on the rim for about 5 hours and watch the sun set. Sixth, and then the moon rise. Seventh, we hike back to camp in the dark.
I love it when a plan comes together.
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