Big Bend day 3, Santa Elena Canyon

Santa Elena Canyon

Lower Burro Mesa Pour Off (I'm the green speck)

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive on the west side is our destination today. We first stopped at the Chisos Visitor center to see if there might be someone to take a look at my swollen and painful wrist. We were advised that there was an EMT ranger on duty. They called her and she arrived from another part of the park about 20 minutes later. She applied an ace bandage, and then we were off.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive runs from the main road west of Chisos Basin 30 miles to Santa Elena Canyon. Driving down this road is probably one of the easiest ways to see some of the best of Big Bend National Park. There are great views of mountains, desert and the river. We stopped at all the vista points on the road south: the Henry Wilson ranch, Sotol Vista (offering a view high above the desert floor), and Lower Burro Mesa Pour off trail. That trail leads to a box canyon where water from rains on Lower Burro Mesa cascade over the edge. In dry times (like when we were there), the water path is clearly evident. We stopped at the Santa Elena canyon overlook, then proceeded to the Santa Elena canyon trail. The Santa Elena Mountains run along the Rio Grande. The trail takes you into the canyon formed where it passes through the mountains. Because my wrist was still throbbing, I opted not to take this 1.7 mile round trip hike. I urged Ray to take it, and he did. I walked along the river and relaxed until he returned.
 Later that afternoon, we headed foir our stop for the night, Paisano's. When we arrived, Annette, the manager greeted us with the offer to upgrade our regular (wonderful) room to the suite. We gladly accepted. That suite had a kitchen and living room in addition to bedroom and bath. The suite was sweet!

Dinner again was at La Kiva--this time with live music.