Walking Through SANTA ELENA CANYON - BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK'S Iconic Must-See Stop | Texas
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ส.ค. 2024
- One of the most scenic and magnificent locations within Big Bend National Park in Texas is Santa Elena Canyon - a 1500 ft canyon dividing Mexico from the United States - and we walk right down the middle where the Rio Grande should be.
Deep within Big Bend National Park in west Texas is Santa Elena Canyon - a dramatic and fantastic canyon dividing Mexico from the United States. The tall cliffs tower up to 1500-feet above visitors as they enter the canyon from the east.
The maintained trail is 1.4 miles out and back. Some steeper sections of switchbacks start the trail off but generally, the trail is rated as easy.
At times the Rio Grande is dried up and hikers often find hiking through the canyon to be preferable.
Dogs are not allowed. Cooler months are recommended for this hike as summer months can be dangerously hot.
VIDEO FILMED: 05/19/2022
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ CHISOS BASIN CAMPGROUND Site Exploration & Review | BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK | Texas - • CHISOS BASIN CAMPGROUN...
⚪ A Completionist's Guide to Hiking THE NARROWS Bottom Up | Zion National Park - • A Completionist's Guid...
▬▬ L O C A T I O N I N F O ▬▬
⚪ Santa Elena Canyon - www.nps.gov/bibe/planyourvisi...
⚪ Directions to Santa Elena Canyon - goo.gl/maps/PTfLXFTASiMRrtNe6
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 Santa Elena Canyon Overlook
01:24 Santa Elena Canyon Trail
11:08 Walking Further Along the Rio Grande
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
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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!
![Big Bend National Park: A Texas Size Adventure Documentary and Guide [Documentary] [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XAicH2q5AW8/mqdefault.jpg)
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I have been living in Houston, Texas for 42years and never been there. My wife doesn't like to camp or walk on trail so I might have to try myself a like you. Thank you for valuable videos and be safe.
Thanks so much! It's certainly a drive from Houston to the canyon but hopefully it's one you'll get to make one day. 😄
It’s a drive from Houston but man its is a gorgeous park. Well worth the drive, such breathtaking scenery. Hope you get a chance to visit.
It's a must-see, esp if you live here...Go for it! It's magical. There's nice hotels within 1-2 hours in the small towns not far away (like Hotel Paisano in Marfa), so you could even go together and she stay behind and for a little "hotel/spa getaway" while you go do some hiking. You can explore Big Bend pretty easily from sun-up until about 12pm (when it gets really hot in spring/summer) so it doesn't even have to be an all-day activity. This particular trail he went on really only takes about 2 hours in and out.
Yes it is beautiful...dry or wet. As someone who has been visiting for more than 40 years it is heartbreaking. Neither the US or Mexico has the environmental wherewithal or ethic to keep this "mighty" river flowing.
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing this! We went back in early June...There was water further in but the creek crossing was fairly dry (tho very muddy because it had rained the day before). We were also confused about where the actual "river" was...Sad to see it's quite dry these days. Not sure how typical that is. We also saw lots of nightly desert storms rolling in (from a distance), so at least the plants and critters out there get some relief from Mother Nature. 🙂
It was certainly surprising expecting to see a river and there not to be.
It’s sad to see the Rio Grande being in such bad shape. With all the dams up river in New Mexico has caused an extreme water shortage right along with Mexico taking more water then agreed on plus a drought has cause! I was just in Bend and planned on visiting Santa Elena canyon but wasn’t able to. I bent a drive shaft on my truck going on a back country road so it shortened my day. Glad to see your doing well. I truly enjoy your videos. Stay safe stay healthy
We've heard from a number of people who visited after us that it wasn't as dry as our experience. Just odd timing on our part I guess. 😅
Santa Elena Canyon is a beautiful place! We were just there a week ago. Great video!
Thanks! Would love to go back when there's more water and see the difference. 🙂
Another great Big Bend video. The canyon in the background in just the opening shot looks amazing. We got to get out there sometime.
Thanks! Hopefully you'll have an opportunity to visit Big Bend. It's a beautiful place. 😄
Love this place
Amazing!!! You got some terrific shots of the canyon, Glenn. Loved the reflections and shadows/light. Thanks for taking us along.
Always!! Happy to do so!
wow, wow, wow, to the 10 power!!!
Wao hi so many beatifull places is like walking with you Sr .and gettinga tetahi nlessings
We made a trip vom Germany to Texas and we were there in April this year, also in the Boquillas Canyon. It was so amazing!!! We’ll came back again
Oh wow! That's quite a trip! Beautiful area though, isn't it? Hope you're able to make that return trip if you're wishing to. 😊 Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
@@CactusAtlas Yes, the area was very beautiful, never saw some nature like this. It was so hot in april , 115 degrees and a little bit more 😅 but there was more water in the Hot Springs and the Rio Grande, we were swimming there. and we were in Mexico 🇲🇽 We also were in Cap Rock Canyen, Guadalupe Mountains, Palo Duro Canyon and some other nice places. Big Bend was very special ❤️but we had only two days there. Three weeks are not enough for Texas, so we have to come back hopefully. I miss this places!!! Thank you for sharing your trip
I was there 2 days ago. Plenty of water.
The water seems to fluctuate a lot given responses and comments that we've received. I guess we just went during an odd low and dry time.
Stunning
So neat!
So beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing Glenn! Another location to add to my bucket list.
I feel so lame. I totally judged this location based on the thumbnail as not being super interesting. Now I think this area is so intriguing! It reminds me of Zion and Grand Canyon but less busy. I hope you go back again soon and stay at a different campsite and see another section of the park. Thanks for the awesome video!
We would LOVE to get another trip in as there's so much of Big Bend that had to be skipped just due to the time we had and the distance to get there and back from Arizona. Fingers crossed that it will happen one day! 😄
Thanks again Glenn. So interesting for not much to actually see there, there is so much beauty to soak in. Tooo many people are in such a rush that they miss the beauty right in front of them.
It would be really interesting to see the canyon with prior water levels and compare. And you're absolutely right. It's hard to slow down sometimes but when you do... 🤩
Seen a vid a couple weeks ago & the water was thigh then waist deep where the puddles were@@CactusAtlas.
😮🤯
Cool video, that’s super interesting
Man the last time I was there was during the Polar Vortex of 2021. Seeing the park and canyon covered in snow& ice was a treat. While the circumstances are sad, seeing the canyon dry is another treat. And the middle of the river is the int'l boundary fyi.
Can't even imagine how the Canton looks with snow. 😯 We figured the border likely ran down the middle but it's hard to wrap ones mind around weaving back and forth across it somehow. 😂 Thanks for watching!
Hey, Glenn and Amy! I don't know how in Hell I have missed your vids on Big Bend!!!??? Danm glad they came up in my feed!
I grew up in Odessa, TX, born 1953. I was 5 years old the first time we went to the BB! The only things in The Basin then was the stone cottages, and the "temporary tent-like cabins" that were later replaced by the Lodge (restaurant) and motel-type rooms. I still have an old b&w Polaroid photo of a distant shot of the basin and the cabins, from the perspective of approximately where the Lodge is now.
I have made a total of 10 trips to Big Bend in my life, the last time being Christmas 2000. It truly is my favorite place, even compared to my trips to NM, AZ, CO and CA.
The last time I was at either Boquillas or Santa Elena canyons, was 1993! It was pretty dry then, too, but not as bad as now.
But during most of my trips to BB, the river was flowing beautifully, and I even made one trip down several days after a major flood, when some of the roads were closed/torn up. It was incredible. But every time I have ever been to BB, it's been incredible, regardless of activities, time of year, weather, etc.!
Ended up in tears and with goosebumps watching this, because I remember WELL, just how spectacular the place is!!!👍
Aw. Hopefully, they were happy tears. 🥺 We really would love to go back, but the distance makes it so hard to really spend an appropriate amount of time there and do the park justice. But boy, do we want to go back! 😄
Spectacular! Thanks for sharing
Thank you! 😄
Wow, Beautiful place, Fantastic hike!!
Thanks!
Beautiful:)
Thank you! 😊
Who would have thought there would be very little water in that river. What an amazing view 😀👍
We certainly didn't imagine that! 😅
Awesome video! Stay safe
Thank you! Will do! 😊
I just found your channel. Thanks for the great video! My wife and I went to Big Bend National Park yesterday, 6-1-22, for the first time. Santa Elena Canyon was our priority, but at around mile marker 3 there was a large area of standing water covering the road. We have a low clearance car and decided not to try it. We were so disappointed. But we had fun seeing other parts of the park. Thanks again for the video.
Man! Based on another comment it sounds like the water level varies greatly. 🤔 Happy you found our channel and appreciate your comment. Thank you so much! 😄
@@CactusAtlas 😀😀😀
Cool video. We were there last April.
The drought throughout NM has been very severe- there’s no water left as the river makes its way down there- its so sad!!! The views are however are gorgeous! Great tour thank you!
Thank you so much! Really hope some of the water sources can be replenished. It's getting... intense 😞
Another place we went! We hiked around half the trail on our last day there. An amazing hike!
It really is! The size of the cliffs and just knowing somewhere in there is the border makes it really an interesting and different sort of feel.
@@CactusAtlas It really does.
I was just there this week and thankfully there was more water
Curious! Starting to think when we filmed there that it was just an odd low level. 🤔
Thanks for the video. We are headed down there in a couple weeks. Last time I was there was 10 years ago! Still beautiful. I think that technically the border is 1/2 way between the water flow of the river, so if you are more than 1/2 way across, you are technically in Mexico. Hope you had your passport on you! ;)
That's the consensus of what we're hearing. Hope you have a great trip! Curious what the water level looks like at that time. Keep hearing various levels before and after when this video was filmed. 😅
Wow! No water. Yep that “was” the Rio Grande. Never seen it like that
Odd, isn't it? Stranger still we heard from some folks that there was flooding not long after I believe.
thank you Glenn. hope i find the strength to camp at big bend. too scared right now . a woman alone in big bend national park is asking for death
I feel you. Glenn is used to it but I myself as a woman wouldn't feel comfortable camping solo. Hopefully you can convince some friends to make a trip of it and have a fun adventure. 😄
I was there and did not know there was a trail!!! Now I know for next time! But I went 4 yrs ago and there was water sooo maybe inwas in the trail
Differences in water level can certainly change an experience, that's for sure. 😅
I checked the flow rates in the river at the time you went at Johnson ranch in the park, it was dry. Today it's at 353 cfs which is enough to go to tubing etc
Certainly a variable rate it would seem! Kinda fun to be able to walk through a bit of it though. 👍
Nice film. What time of year were you there?
Oh, gosh. It's been a while. Our filming dates are listed in the description, though.
Santa Elena is a magical place, I hope you get to The Window as well. So much beautiful scenery in that park. Also the border should run right through the middle of the river, it doesn't change with the water level. And you may have made an illegal border crossing and captured it on film, I'm no expert on the subject but the last time I was there I remember seeing signs about crossing over being illegal. I'm not telling anyone.
Interesting! Curious how float trips would work if there was a blocking object (say a fallen tree or brush from previous heavy rains) on the United States side. How would one navigate around? So many questions! 😅
Wow it looks gorgeous, you mentioned that time in day is great for the scenic purposes, when did you start and by what time did you finish? My boyfriend and I are heading down there in early November. Great video!
I believe Glenn was likely in the canyon for roughly about 2 hours but please understand the condition of the canyon changes constantly. We've heard many stories from some that weren't even able to enter the canyon at all due to the river being present so your mileage may vary greatly depending on recent weather conditions and when you go.
@@CactusAtlas oh wow! What time did Glenn start the trail? That’s honestly incredible, I expect there will be more water present in November.
really cool place! Better take your passport just in case!!
😂 Especially if walking back and forth across that canyon. Still not sure where the border technically is in there! 🤣
@@CactusAtlas I would guess that the border is the center of the riverbed.
seasonal floods might cause problems
I'm taking my dad there in May. A bucket list trip for him. What time of day did u take this hike? We plan to hike Santa Elena.
I believe Glenn hiked it in the afternoon.
What time of year did you visit? And time of day?
What time of year were you there? I am going in February and expect it to be a little more crowded unfortunately
Spring 2022 if I recall correctly. We have filming date/information in the description of videos. 😊
What time of year did you go? Man we got WET at the creek crossing in March. Hahaha :)
Glenn was there in May of 2022. Just no water there at that time. 😅
I see you said may 2022... March 2023 there was MUCH more water. I need to look into when the creek is more dry because I really want to visit again!
Big Bend is definitely something we want to revisit as well. Because it's so far from us, a lot of that trip was spent driving to and from so not much of the park was visited and that has to be fixed. 😅
@@CactusAtlas Amen! It's such a long drive to it
Thanks bro now I can go through your country without problems jk 😂
It’s in the middle.
Great video, definitely subscribed.
Thank you so much! Welcome! 😄