Roadside Stops along the RIO GRANDE on FM170 | BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK | Texas
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ก.ค. 2024
- Big Bend Ranch State Park, laying at the southern border of Texas, has a little bit of something for everyone. From movie history to regular history and slot canyons to sweeping views atop canyons, you can't help but want to keep stopping to check out something new.
Big Bend Ranch State Park runs along FM170 in West Texas bordering Mexico. Views of the Rio Grande are in no shortage here.
Today we checked out some stops along the southern edge of the park.
First up was the Contrabando Movie Set where a small adobe structure sits where once stood an old western village. Time destroyed the buildings built for filming, however, one building, named "La Casita" which predates filming, remains. Once you arrive and walk up to it, it is immediately obvious why this location was selected - it is stunning!
Along the way, numerous pull-offs beg you to stop, stretch your legs and take in the views of the Rio Grande Valley. The best and most recommended stop is Big Hill. The view is just as the name implies - atop a large hill looking down and a meandering river and mountains aplenty.
We then hiked Closed Canyon 1.4-mile round trip trail through a slot canyon that divides the Colorado Mesa. Several sections of slicker, polished rock must be traversed, however, with good shoes they should provide no issues. As one continues further into the canyon, the walls get more narrow. Access to the Rio Grande is not possible from the trail.
Finally, we check out a feature known as the hoodoos. There is a short 1.1-mile trail for those wishing to see these geological features up close, as well as an overlook looking down at them. The hoodoos are rock structures standing from the ground - a harder capstone of material on top with a narrower softer material beneath that slowly becomes eroded away over time.
VIDEO FILMED: 05/20/2022
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ UBEHEBE CRATER Trail Hike | Death Valley National Park, California - • UBEHEBE CRATER Trail H...
⚪ BOQUILLAS CANYON Trail Hike & Langford HOT SPRINGS | Big Bend National Park, Texas - • BOQUILLAS CANYON Trail...
⚪ Hiking the Little Wild Horse Canyon & Bell Canyon Loop | San Rafael Swell, Utah - • Hiking the Little Wild...
⚪ Hiking Lower CATHEDRAL WASH Trail to the Colorado River | Marble Canyon at Lee's Ferry, Arizona - • Hiking Lower CATHEDRAL...
⚪ Remnants of WEST TEXAS | GHOST TOWNS of Terlingua, Lajitas, Fort Leaton & Shafter - • Remnants of WEST TEXAS...
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Big Bend Ranch State Park - tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/bi...
⚪ Directions to Big Bend Ranch State Park - goo.gl/maps/Hw6cSZ85YupKWgK89
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Driving Along the Rio Grande in FM170
05:39 Contrabanda Movie Set
09:11 Driving Back to the Visitor Center
11:00 Back on Track
13:27 The Coolest Picnic Area in Texas
14:12 Big Hill Overlook
18:38 Closed Canyon Trail
23:10 The Hoodoos
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
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⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
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Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking and day trips as well as campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!
I agree with you on the border wall.
Great
Another very enjoyable ride and hike Glenn. Can't wait for the next one. Thanks.
Glad you enjoyed it! More to come! 😊
I love watching your videos🌵
Thank you so much! So nice of you. 😊
The drive was beautiful. And the movie was "Streets of Laredo", companion to "Lonesome Dove".
Thank You Thank You Thank You. Well just mark the hoodoos up as another trip.
We plan on doing a road trip thanks 👍🏻 for the video I love your videos very informative. Keep up the good work buddy 🙂. Hope to see more videos of the Texas south west ..
Thank you! We'd love to be able to get back there. Hoping to find the time to. 😄
The set is probably best known for the 1996 movie “Lone Star,” a border town murder-mystery, and “Streets of Larado” in 1995. It was built in 1985 for the comedy “Uphill All The Way” and was also appeared in many other movies including “Rio Diablo,” “Dead Man’s Walk,” and “Journeyman.” (Excerpt from Anne Mckinnell blog)
So many movies filmed around there. Easy to see why! It's beautiful! 😄
Anyone who knows your channel knows you don’t do or say things to be polarizing. Promoting stewardship of nature is always agreeable!! This area is really beautiful. Love west Texas!
Thanks for that! It's the internet so you never know how people interpret things and what words they might say. 😅 But that landscape along that stretch of road is so beautiful that it's hard to imagine it any other way.
I just rewatched your hike/scramble on your Cathedral Wash/Lee's Ferry video. Your enthusiasm at the end when you made it to the Colorado River was so fun! Here's to Cherry Coke and cold feet!
Texas was just OK. Been to Utah, cant wait to go again...Don't think I'll ever make it to that Texas area tho.
Funny you say that. I filmed in lee’s ferry today, and drove right by cathedral wash. Twice. And I put my feet in the river again, but this time without the cherry coke.
@@CactusAtlas I look forward to your Utah travel. I am 68 with mobility issues so I really enjoy all your videos, thanks for all you do for others. :)
Our pleasure. You will be happy as I am making my way to Utah this Labor Day weekend and have lots planned!
Cool video. I have taken that drive.
Such a beautiful place of scenery. 😄
@@CactusAtlas I'll be in that area this weekend.
That looks like a fantastic drive. That scenery is so great. I have a book somewhere with pictures of unique rest areas and I think that one was one of the pictures. I'll have to find it to double check.
Oh how neat! Haven't seen a book on unique rest areas but sounds like it would be a fun one to flip through. 😄
I've been down hwy 170 many times, but really enjoyed it again with you. And I agree, a wall through that area would make no sense at all. Please take a few minutes and research Lucia Rede Madrid, a former resident of Redford, which you passed through. A wonderful woman, and very inspiring story, for sure. I met her in 1978, and still remember her to this day.
Will definitely look her up. Thank you so much for mentioning it. We always love recommendations. 😄
No wall has been considered for the area
@@michaelturano7522 Exactly, no one has ever suggested a barrier in this area of the border.
🤠👍
I can't wait to drive FM 170 myself, thanks for giving me an amazing preview! I'm confused though: do I need to purchase a permit to drive from Lajitas to Presidio?
If you're driving on FM170, no, you do not need a permit from what I am seeing. Just if you are planning to enter the interior of the park, or hike any trails you will need to pay the entry fee.
That is neat to drive the border 😄👍 great views
Really great views. Thanks for watching. 👍
Closed canyon trail ended there because of the steep drop off.. People had hard time of climbing back up.. A couple who couldnt went back to the river and drowned trying to find a place out...
Having grown up in Texas, I can remember learning in school how the border between texas and Mexico changes from time to time as the Rio grande has moved once in while, still beautiful scenery never scene by me. Thanks for showing it.
Clearly there's not much of a Rio Grande here and there along the border. 😅 Glad to share the scenery with you!
@@CactusAtlas ive been there several times and river was flowing nicely.. Bad drought and some daming politics up stream has it looking like what u saw
Will be taking this trip next week but in reverse (Marfa to Marathon).
Awesome! The scenery is beautiful. I imagine you will have a fantastic time. 😊
@@CactusAtlas Staying in the 4 hotels designed by Trost and scenic drives and hikes in between. Gage hotel in Marathon, Hotel Paisano in Marfa, El Capitan in Van Horn and Hotel Del Norte in El Paso.
What a beautiful stretch of country!! So desolate! thank you for taking us along!! Ps I am so impressed with your commitment to your posting schedule!! 😀😀👍👍
Thank you so much! Ah, the posting schedule! It's been something. We thought we'd have to step back early this year but with the two of us we're keeping up. Now all those other real life things that we were hoping to do? Not quite keeping up with that. 😅 And life always has curve balls it likes the throw.
@@CactusAtlas lol! I guess something has to give! You guys are an inspiration for me! 😀👍
Big hill is where a scene from Fandango was filmed.. On the east side
Also, Spy Kids 2.
@@LajitasRain yup...
Been out there numerous times
2 times this year and im 800 miles away
Next time u go holler i will meet you somewhere
😂 We keep wanting to go back. One of these days, hopefully!
@@CactusAtlas how far away are yall from
We live in Phoenix, AZ, so it's not exactly a short drive. 😅
@@CactusAtlas
Im In Lousyanna
We are almost same xact distance
Another great trip!! Now from some of the stories we've shared over the years, where's that crazy Glenn that would jump over the line and back just to see what happens 🤣🤣🤣 You would stay close enough to be able to hop back into the US and then play out one of the most iconic scenes from The Holy Grail!!
LOL!! Very funny image. 🤣
I love your content, Glenn! The arid landscape scenery with its rich earthy colours and textures always reminds me of my time up north on the edge of the desert. 🏜️
Thank you very much! Gotta love the desert and its colors. We certainly do. 😊
Hey Gleen, BBRSP is truly a natural beauty. I visited the park in December 2020, it was an amazing experience plus the weather was lot better compared to what you experience during summer. The Rio Grand does flow, I guess due to the summer it might be dried up. Now I'm back in India, while watching your video it took me back to those best days. Also, on FM 170 if you get a chance next times you can camp at Rancho Topango campsite it's near Terlingua, ran by an old couple. Again thanks for the video, happy travelling!
Really want to get back to visit more of both Big Bend Ranch State Park and the National Park. Beautiful land! Appreciate the tip about the campsite! We'll definitely be looking into it. Thanks so much!
One of my favorite corners of Texas - love that drive! If you get a chance to come back to Texas check out Ft Davis, Davis Mountains State Park and the surrounding area. Indian Lodge is also a great place to stay in the state park.
I'll check it out! From what I can briefly see, looks right up our alley! Always appreciate recommendations. Thank you so much! 😄
Contrabando is an adventure film. The film tells of the millionaire Hernández who smuggles weapons from the United States into Mexico. He does this because he is planning an uprising. The hotel attendant Carlos is informed of this. Hernández and his troops are defeated by the army. Carlos is acquitted and can marry his lover Lolita. The film Contrabando was shot in locations on the border with the United States, such as Tijuana, Ensenada and Playas de Rosarito. It was shot in Spanish and in English under the title Contraband. The role of Lolita was cast for the English version with Dorothy Sebastian. Contrabando's plot was inspired by an actual 1929 rebellion led by José Gonzalo Escobar. Filmed in 1931, but not released until 1933.
Nice video but you just skimmed the surface and didn't mention the interior of the park. Big Bend Ranch SP is over 300,000 acres. The interior has great dirt roads and remote camping. Not only is it a dark sky park, but maybe the best place in America to see the stars?
Haha! Totally hear you. To give you insight on how we operate, both the and Ghost Towns of West Texas and Marfa videos were filmed the same day as this one (hence the drive through the park rather than exploration). 😂 The big part of the time we had available on this trip was eaten up by the driving it took trying to hit up that area of Texas from here in Arizona and until we have more time and less obligation (day jobs) our trips will sadly have to be similar especially when going further from home. 😔 REALLY hope we can make it back to that area though as we KNOW we just scratched the surface and really would love to go back.
Our politics cut like a knife so believe me when I say that I don't watch the Catus Atlas to get in the political arena. I'm would love to see the Rio Grand and the trails around it 😎
Honestly, the scenery of that area just caught us off guard. Growing up having never seen the Rio Grande it is easy to think it looks like what you see on TV - everywhere. But the mountains and drama was just something on another scale entirely. Beautiful, beautiful landscape. 😄