Living Rootless: Big Bend National Park: Window Trail

Friday, September 8, 2017

Big Bend National Park: Window Trail

Window Trail from Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas. September 2017.

You won't be seeing The Window on this post, even though I was on the Window Trail, as approached from the Chisos Basin Campground trailhead.

Window Trail from Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas. September 2017.

I happened by the trail head during a swing around the campground. The afternoon was moving toward dusk, and I hadn't contemplated going on this walk so late in the afternoon. Plus an irrational concern about a bear encounter still clung to me like a whiny toddler. But a young couple bounced over to the trail head and appeared to have a plan to do the hike. So I asked if I could hitch myself to their coattails, and they said yes!

They were pleasant company - living in Texas for awhile while she did an internship - but probably to return to their home grounds in a lusher climate when that finished.

A pretty trail. Somehow I'd gotten the impression it was so very close to The Window and that it was an easy peasy walk.

The section of the trail I completed (note the foreshadowing) was easy peasy.

Window Trail from Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas. September 2017.

What I didn't know was that the trail crossed over a stream. So pretty!

Window Trail from Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas. September 2017.

And those steps built into the smooth, rock shoulders! The stuff of fairy tales.

Window Trail from Chisos Basin Campground, Big Bend National Park, Texas. September 2017.

Unfortunately, there was a water crossing that I didn't feel secure about making. Didn't have the right shoes, didn't have a way to protect my camera if I got wet, blah, blah. So I stopped there and enjoyed the beauty of what I did travel over.

Here's a slide show. Walk with me.