Up early, straight into the park, straight up to the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The Window Trail: five miles down through the sky island to a pouroff that frames the entire desert basin below — you're standing on an island of mountains looking out over a sea of nothing. Challenging hike. We took our time.
Back to the truck and south on Ross Maxwell all the way to Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande cuts through 1,500-foot walls on both sides — the canyon closes around you and the sky narrows to a strip. Another one you stand in and don't say much.
Back to the Starlight for the third night running. This time there was live music — Terry Klein, a country singer from the area, playing to a room full of people who'd all found the same ghost town at the end of the same dirt road. Caught a gorgeous sunset. Stars again after. Early to bed — crack of dawn start tomorrow, longest drive of the trip.
Highlights
- Window Trail — 5 miles, sky island to sea of desert
- A challenging hike. Took our time.
- Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive to Santa Elena Canyon
- Santa Elena: 1,500 ft walls, both sides, sky a thin strip above
- Starlight Theatre night three — Terry Klein live, country from the area
- Gorgeous sunset
- Early bed — longest day of the trip tomorrow
Stops
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Chisos Mountain Lodge
Base for the Window Trail
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Window Trail
5 miles. Sky island looking down into the desert basin.
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Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive
South through the park to Santa Elena
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Sotol Vista Overlook
Desert and river, wide open
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Mule Ears Viewpoint
Twin volcanic peaks
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Castolon Historic District
Old border outpost
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Santa Elena Canyon
1,500 ft walls on both sides. Sky narrows to a strip.
Food
Stay
Music