Big Bend National Park, TX
DatesSep 23rd - Sep 29th 2012 Service ProjectTrail maintenance Free DaysDay hiking, star party, biking, hot springs, scenic drives AccommodationsTent camping in Park Service campground Trip RatingStrenuous : Digging, bending, lifting, cutting, long day hikes LeadersToBe Announced Equipment |
Big Bend National Park encompasses more than 800,000 acres in southwest Texas. For more than 1,000 miles, the Rio Grande forms the international boundary between Mexico and the United States; Big Bend National Park administers approximately one-quarter of that boundary. Within the 118 twisting miles that also define the park’s southern boundary, the river’s southeasterly flow changes abruptly to the northeast and forms the “big bend” of the Rio Grande. Big Bend National Park has national significance as the largest protected area of Chihuahuan Desert topography and ecology in the United States. Few areas exceed the park’s value for the protection and study of geologic and paleontologic resources. Archeologists have discovered artifacts estimated to be 9,000 years old, and historic buildings and landscapes offer graphic illustration of life along the international border at the turn of the century. The park exhibits dramatic contrasts; its climate may be characterized as one of extremes. Our service project is aiding Park Service staff in general maintenance and repairs along various trails in the park. Some of the tasks include cleaning of drainage dips and water bars, brushing of trail corridor, resetting of cross trail structures and improvement of eroded tread or trail base. All of the work will be accomplished using traditional hand tools. We'll camp in tents and vehicles near the Chisos Basin campground in the center of the park, adjacent to the Remuda Bunkhouse which has full amenities, and we'll hike between 4-8 miles per day to do the trailwork. Check out more photos of last year's Big Bend project in our gallery.
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