Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park has quickly become one of my favorite parks. After a long five-hour drive from El Paso, I had just entered the park right as the sun was setting, lighting up the sky with a vast array of colors and breathtaking views. Within the first five minutes this park did not disappoint.
After spending the night in the Chisos Mountains Lodge in the park, I got an early start and hit the Lost Mine Trail for sunrise. Hesitant to start my hike before the sun rose above the valley with “beware of bear” signs at the trailhead, I continued on, and it was worth it. As the sun began to illuminate the surrounding mountains and valley I got to work and set up my tripod to capture the first light shining between two mountains. As I continued up the path, I noticed I was stopping every couple of yards to take in the views. When I had finally reached the top, I was rewarded with the sounds of the wind as it found its way through the 360-degree picturesque valley surrounding me.
Later that day, I made my way down towards the Rio Grande River where Mexico was literally a stone’s throw away. Seeing the famous river carve the Santa Elena Canyon divide of the United States and Mexico was humbling. It instilled a deeper appreciation for the dynamic and diverse world we live in.
Needing to take in as much of this park as possible, I woke up as early as I was able to drag myself out of bed. With the full moon illuminating the road and silhouetting the immense mountain range, I made my way to the Sotol Vista Overlook where I took advantage of Big Bend’s Gold Tier IDA certified dark sky park. With the full moon out and some of the stars hiding, the sky still held more stars then I had ever seen. With my shadow cast from the moon and the ground lit up, I set up my Canon R5 to take my first ever star pictures.
As the moon set over the Rio Grande, I began my journey out of the park to my next adventure. However, I had to stop one final time to capture the sun rising through the valley, casting a striking ray of light along the mountains edge.
