Monday, November 10, 2008

Big Bend - Hiking the Lost Mine Trail

Our first day hike was to tackle the Lost Mine Trail. The hike is just under 5 miles roundtrip. Five miles doesn't sound like too much, but the last third of the hike is very steep (especially for old guys). The Trail Head is located in the area of the Park known as the Basin. It is the highest part of the Park. Most of the other mountain trails start from the Lodge area of the basin. The tallest peak is Emory Peak which is just under 8,000 ft. tall. The top of the Lost Mine Trail is around 6800 ft. The Basin is so named because it is bowl shaped and catches what little rain falls in the area. The water collects in rock holes in a stream bed and when the stream is full the runoff flows through a hole in a wall of the Basin called the Window. The Window area is one of the best places to see the wildlife in the Park. They come there for the water.

3 comments:

Mary-Austin said...

Cool slide show Dad! Enjoyed the music too.....

Stacey said...

Well I'm TOTALLY impressed!!!! Way to go Dad!! The harmonica playing is awesome....Boy...Old guys RULE!!! Hee-Hee!

Billy Bob said...

Big Walt our Chef,
You did an excellent job all around, including these pictures, music, burnt beans, and all. Some people just know how to enjoy Big Bend West Texas--YES--you help make it happen in the best way possible. Praise the Lord
Billy Bob