Our third day in Big Bend we explore more of the west side of the park, taking hikes as we travel along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
The third day was a bit cooler than the rest so we decide to take an open desert hike to find the Mule Ears Springs…mostly wondering how it got its name.
When we start out we are doubtful that an open desert hike can be very enlightening but as we go we come across scenery and wildlife we never thought we would see.
Like yucca trees…
…pink cacti…
…weird lizards – this one uses its tail as a whip…
..and even creepy large hairy spiders…
As we hit the bubbling cool springs the plants and animals drastically change and it truly becomes and oasis…
..we find song birds…
…and would you believe frogs in the middle of the desert all because of this spring?
It’s only as we hike home do we realize why the springs are call Mule Ears!!!
Tuff Canyon is another canyon we hike but this one is made of volcanic ash.
Our final destination is the great Santa Elena Canyon but on our way along the Ross Maxell Scenic Highway we can’t believe the number of amazing sites…
As we approach the Santa Elena canyon this massive mountain like wall appears on the horizon…
…as we get closer it reminds us of the Lost World movies.
We hike along the canyon edge…one side Mexico the other America.
To give you an idea how big these canyon walls are this is a piece of the wall that has fallen off…a mere boulder.
We make it out just in time to catch the setting sun.
We sadly say goodbye to Big Bend and head north to Fort Davis to see if there is anything left after the 300,000 acre wild fire.
Posted by: wanderingenterprise
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