After the Lost Mine trail, we did a very short hike to see what they call “The Window.” It was absolutely stunning.
The Window Click to retrieve video Later I will post a view from the other side of this window.
Next Terri was on a quest to see the Rio Grande River. She pictured the Rio Grande from the old John Wayne movies- wide and raging. So we set out to get the best view. First was the Rio Grande overlook. I didn’t even take a photo. We pulled over and hiked 1/4 mile to see the desert! Next we followed a map to the end of the NP to a campground. At the edge of the campground was a steep hike
there she was in all her Glory:
Terri, with hands on hips, exclaims, “THAT’S IT! Oh you gotta be kidding- That’s it?”
We met a family coming down from the trail. The man explained that it has been so dry this spring and start of summer, the river is very low. He suggested going to Santa Elena Canyon Trail. He promised it was a much better view. We were hoping to get there later in the day. That was our plan until I suggested seeing the Balancing Rock first.
Earlier we had stopped at a store and I saw a pic of The Balancing Rock on a key ring. I asked the clerk where the Balancing Rock was and he showed me on the NP map. Instead of heading to Santa Elena Canyon, we went to Grapevine Hills Road. Seven miles of a rutted gravel road. (Where I got the pics of the Javelinas). It took 45 minutes to drive this rutted road. I had noticed something from the distance and I thought, “Oh there it is! we only have a little bit to go.” As we got closer, it was a bulldozer! We had 5 miles miles to go. I suggest turning around. Terri shot me a look and said “Oh Noooo. Lori wants to see a rock!” Finally we reach the end of the road an a trail sign saying the Balancing Rock is 1.9 mile hike away. Again I suggest going back. Terri shot me another look. Her silence sent a clear message, “We are seeing this damn rock.”
The hike was 1.9 miles in the desert with no shade. Now mind you, it was 103 degrees in the dessert. I began to regret suggesting the Balancing Rock. Terri was determined to get me to what has now become “that damn rock”. Part way through, I could hear Keith Morrison’s voice once again-
” So the two women set out to see a rock, in the middle of the desert. They had not seen a soul in miles. Armed with two bottles of water, a commando saw, thermal blankets, and a compass they had no idea how to use- they were determined to see the damn rock……After all, it was such a pretty picture on the key chain….”
We hiked what felt like, more than 1.9 miles when we came upon this:
We would now have to climb over giant boulders ahead to get a view of that Damn Rock! All this way and these boulders that have been baking in the sun. At this point, we gave up and went back to the truck. Here’s a pic from the internet. Enjoy!
We went back to the Maverick Ranch RV Park after that, Will see Santa Elena canyon tomorrow.