The Trip:
Big Bend National Park/ Santa Elena Canyon 2013
The Story:
Last time, I left off having chosen to use my limited time at Big Bend NationalPark in 2014 to explore Santa Elena Canyon. I had stayed up a little later than planned the previous evening taking in the countless stars; without the light pollution found in most places, it was captivating. Without the distractions of television, WiFi, or cell phone service in the lodge room, however, it was easy to get to sleep fairly quickly for a good night’s rest.
I woke up fairly early to cool, crisp air, packed my things and set out for the trail head. Although I wasn’t nearly early enough for a sunrise glow, the canyon shadows were fairly striking from the low sun angle. Shortly after capturing the whisps of clouds above the canyon, I took this image of the river itself. It appears serene and benign, but I think that may be due in part to its scale to the walls; it surely is a formidable body of water.
As I hiked up the trail alongside the Rio Grande, I got to admire the lowlands in the park with the incline over the crest. It didn’t produce any remarkable images, but it was quite the sight before descending into the canyon depression and admiring the sheer walls striped with various rock layers. Walking directly alongside the funneled river through the reeds and captive between the walls, in such close proximity, is where the river’s character was most striking. It is a trail that I wish went much further; at the end is a formation of rocks with a view that almost taunts one with the potential for what lies ahead. Seemingly, it is for me a metaphor representing the whole of Big Bend National Park; by hiking only two short trails, I have just scratched the surface.
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