TRAIL DRIVE Off the Beaten Path
Go (far) West — for some unparalleled sights by WENDY LITTLE
EL PASO
FELIPE PARK
GUADALUPE MTS. NATIONAL PARK
54 10 90 67
BIG BEND RANCH ST. NATIONAL AREA
17
² E9J>9 •
385 MARATHON
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
nps.gov/bib/index.htm
BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big- bend-ranch
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
nps.gov/gumo/index.htm
O
ONE OF THE BEST ways to explore far West Texas, learn about its geology and history and take in some unbelievable scenery is to go off- road.
Big Bend National Park’s vast undevel- oped areas provide excellent opportunities for back country experiences if you seek solitude, wilderness and adventure. The park is more than 800,000 acres and features over 150 glori- ous miles of off-road exploring. Challenging roads can put even the best-equipped 4x4 to the test, but they’ll get you to portions of the park that most folks will never see, like the beautiful limestone cliffs of Mariscal Canyon at the far southern tip of the park. The remote Big Bend Ranch State Park
offers approximately 70 miles of dirt roads lead- ing the way to rugged mountains, steep canyons,
50 AUTHENTIC TEXAS
amazing views, unparalleled night skies and solitude in a desert setting. This is Texas’ big- gest state park, so there’s no shortage of places to explore. Hike, mountain bike, backpack, paddle, ride horses or explore by vehicle via both two- and four-wheel-drive roads. Visitors can camp or opt to stay at the well-appointed Sauceda Ranch House or cozy Bunkhouse. The former offers a bit more luxury with sunrooms, vaulted ceilings and fireplaces, while the latter, a converted hunt- ing lodge, provides a more old-fashioned, com- munal experience, with bunkhouse-style accom- modations for up to 30 people. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to visit
Williams Ranch, located in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. A rough, dirt road leads through acres of open desert shrub country showcasing many varieties of cacti and succulents.
COURTESY OF WENDY LITTLE
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