Big Bend - Alpine - Marfa - Fort Davis

[deft 7043]

Long draw pizza if you’re there with kids during the day. Might be one of your only options.

[Anton Chigurh 3332]

Long Draw doesn’t open until 3/4pm. The BBQ place is closed Tuesday as well.

There’s Chili Pepper Cafe and the cafe attached to the gas station. El Gordo’s food truck looks good, too.

[deft 7043]

Well shit. Guess it’s gonna be frozen burritos microwaved at the cottonwood general then.

[stc 1496]

not many options for lunch in terlingua. chili pepper cafe and espresso y poco mas are 2 that i know will be open. 

[Your Mom 4956]

I’ve never had their lunch but Espresso y Poco Mas does a nice breakfast.  

[tigol 2466]

I’ve never had their lunch but Espresso y Poco Mas does a nice breakfast.  

True.

[RexWilson 1499]

Went to Big Bend for the first time over spring break. Towed our camper and stayed at Big Bend Station in Study Butte. 
 

Loved the park. We didn’t do any long hikes. Kept things on the shorter side to try and experience more areas.

I find the history of the park, surrounding communities, and the river/water rights very interesting. 
 

[Jersey Man10 3748]

Any food recommendations? I went to Magoo’s last year in Alpine and loved their chicken fried steak. This time I’ll be in Fort Stockton, Fort Davis, Alpine, and Terlingua.

[deft 7043]

Longdraw has good pizza, cold beer, and great people after a long day of hiking. Starlight cafe is a must at least once in your lifetime if you go regularly. Split the Diego burger though.

Edit: meant to say this is for terlingua. I’ve heard la kiva is open again which is also cool. Book your tix now for balmorhea if they’re not already gone for whatever day you’re passing through. If it’s your first time, time 90 one way and 10 back.

[GreenspointTexas 9932]

10 hours ago, Jersey Man10 said:

Any food recommendations? I went to Magoo’s last year in Alpine and loved their chicken fried steak. This time I’ll be in Fort Stockton, Fort Davis, Alpine, and Terlingua.

Venga and Starlight in Terlingua

12 Gage and Brick Vault BBQ in Marathon

Convenience West, Para Llevar and Cochineal in Marfa, if u make it over there. 

Reata (maybe, its ok) in Alpine. 

 

[tigol 2466]

Normally I would recommend Reata in Alpine, but my last visit in March was not good.

Judy’s Bread and Breakfast never disappoints.

[stc 1496]

this would've been wild to experience...

https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-town-deploys-snow-plows-after-50-degree/story?id=110671830

 

 

[NoName 17103]

On 5/9/2024 at 8:59 AM, tigol said:

Judy’s Bread and Breakfast never disappoints.

bad news, they just had a pretty bad fire there, per the Alpine Mayor Judy's is a total loss.

https://bigbendsentinel.com/2024/05/27/fire-ravages-historic-section-of-downtown-alpine/
 

Quote

A fire that broke out next to the Holland Hotel in Alpine late yesterday afternoon could not be quickly contained and burned through several businesses in a row along W. Holland Ave. across from the Amtrak station between 5th and 6th Streets.

Several witnesses said the fire seemed to start in Judy’s Bread and Breakfast Bakery Cafe, although officials have not confirmed the location or cause. Smoke enveloped much of the downtown area and beyond as firefighters let the blaze burn itself out while trying to protect the adjoining buildings, including the Holland Hotel and the Catchlight Art Gallery. Alpine Mayor Catherine Eaves confirmed the following businesses are a total loss: Judy’s Bread and Breakfast, Eva’s Salon, Gallery on the Square, La Azteca and Vintage Antiques and Snazzy Things.

 

 

Edited June 3 by NoName

[Your Mom 4956]

It’s not a destination restaurant by any means, but a breakfast burrito from Alicia‘s Mexican Restaurant in Alpine is pretty damn good when you’ve been off the grid in the park for a few days. 
 

[MidTexHorn 822]

6 hours ago, NoName said:

bad news, they just had a pretty bad fire there, per the Alpine Mayor Judy's is a total loss.

https://bigbendsentinel.com/2024/05/27/fire-ravages-historic-section-of-downtown-alpine/
 

 

That sucks. Eaten breakfast at Judy's several times while staying at the Holland. Anyone have info on what damage was done to the Holland?

[stc 1496]

looks like holland escaped any serious damage. 

Businesses Affected:

• Judy's Bread and Breakfast

• Eva's Salon

• Gallery on the Square

• La Azteca

• Vintage Antiques and Snazzy Things

 

[BonzoMontreaux 1137]

Did this trip the past week. Stayed in Marfa. La Ventura restaurant located in St Georges was maybe a little over priced but it was great. Aster’s Cafe across from the court house was great for breakfast. Also, got pizza from Para Llevar. It was not too bad. I stayed at the Stover House. If that comes up as a place you are interested in, let me know and I can give you some ideas on what to expect based on my experience.

We did go to Balmorhea on Thursday and we were able to make reservations and get in that day. I think if you plan on visiting on the weekend you do want to plan ahead and book when you decide to go.

[Hagbard Celine 11157]

On 5/31/2024 at 2:06 PM, stc said:

this would've been wild to experience...

https://abcnews.go.com/US/texas-town-deploys-snow-plows-after-50-degree/story?id=110671830

 

 

day after the cotton bowl convict rape 2 jan 91 pulled in to marathon with thunderstorms on the west side of the glass mountains

they rolled over the summit after dark, then proceeded to throw down 100 lightning strikes per minute, that made no sound

and that's all i have to say about that

[stc 1496]

was reading that starting in spring 2025 they're redoing the restaurant and visitor center in the basin. sounds like parking will be extremely limited for a couple years, expect a 1 in 1 out situation. also said there will be a gate that locks at 10pm preventing access to the basin...even if you're camped up there you have to be back by 10:00 or you're locked out. don't understand that one. expected completion spring 2027. 

[4th&Five 41902]

That’ll suck. We had to circle for 25 minutes to find parking last February. 

[bolverk 30228]

I don't know if this is the right thread, but:

Texas General Land Office purchases massive West Texas ranch near Big Bend National Park

The Texas General Land Office has purchased a more than 353,000 acre private ranch (550 square miles) in West Texas’ sprawling Big Bend region that had been listed for sale at more than $245.6 million.

[High Plains Drifter 11160]

 

“By securing this large swath of land along our southern border, the GLO is not only blocking foreign adversaries from purchasing this land but also ensuring this mineral-rich property will be generating revenue for the school children of Texas,” she said.

Asked about the agency’s plans for the land, Buckingham said via email that, in addition to “conservation benefits” from the acquisition, there are “many types of leasing options available including but not limited to hunting, agriculture, mineral, and soil carbon sequestration.”

King said he had been involved in conversations with the GLO about multiple possibilities for the land.

“I’ve been told by the staff that they want to do something special here,” he said. “They want to look at ranching, they want to look at restoring, they want to look at opportunities like maybe a hunting lodge, or VRBO, hiking, camping.”  This is complete Horseshit. 

“I am always proud to step in when needed to secure our southern border and will use every tool at my disposal at the General Land Office to do so,” Buckingham told Marfa Public Radio. “If it comes to my attention that there is a need to do so on this property, I will gladly ensure Texans are protected from this ongoing border crisis threat.” meaning building a wall along the Rio Grande. 

 

This isn't going to be another park. Its going to get leased for grazing, hunting, mining, drilling. Best possible scenario is solar farms. The state will not spend money for "improving" or "restoring" anything. 

Or its going to end up like the Christmas Mountains- basically abandoned and neglected, with locals offroading and poaching and illegally squatting and dumping. 

National Park Service should have bought it and made it part of BBNP. 

 

 

[High Plains Drifter 11160]

On 6/11/2024 at 4:13 PM, stc said:

was reading that starting in spring 2025 they're redoing the restaurant and visitor center in the basin. sounds like parking will be extremely limited for a couple years, expect a 1 in 1 out situation. also said there will be a gate that locks at 10pm preventing access to the basin...even if you're camped up there you have to be back by 10:00 or you're locked out. don't understand that one. expected completion spring 2027. 

 

Yeah, entire basin will be closed starting this May for "approximately" two years. No car access at all to the basin, or any trails up there, including Lost Mine and the Window. Renovating or rebuilding the restaurant and the lodge as well as water infrastructure. A complete redo, which is years, nay decades past due. 

There is a loop trail that starts in the lower park and has trail access to the basin, but that is a hell of a hike. Don't recall the names of the trailheads for that lower trail. 

 

Also, https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2024/10/29/hiker-dead-big-bend-national-park-texas-october-2024/75914670007/

 

 

[Anton Chigurh 3332]

^^^ Oak Spring Trail into the Window Trail. I have done it from the basin down into the desert side, but never going up.

[stc 1496]

damn, just read that la kiva closed again at the end of july with no plans to reopen. sounds like the place was a money pit. 

[MAUFRAIS 6731]

Dammit. I never went. Again.

[deft 7043]

Closing up access the window and especially lost mine sucks.

[GreenspointTexas 9932]

12 hours ago, deft said:

Closing up access the window and especially lost mine sucks.

Wut?

[stc 1496]

1 hour ago, GreenspointTexas said:

Wut?

see post #823

[HenryJames 67114]

19 minutes ago, stc said:

see post #823

Ballgame.

[tejas60 3542]

On 10/31/2024 at 10:24 AM, Anton Chigurh said:

^^^ Oak Spring Trail into the Window Trail. I have done it from the basin down into the desert side, but never going up.

Is that the trail next to cattail falls trail? If so, that's a long uphill hike (at least for my old ass)  

[4th and 5 4995]

On 11/22/2024 at 9:38 PM, tejas60 said:

Is that the trail next to cattail falls trail? If so, that's a long uphill hike (at least for my old ass)  

Yes. That’s why you leave a car at the parking lot on oak springs road, then drive up to the basin, hike down to the window, and double back just a bit and take oak spring down to your car. Lots of downhill hiking

[stc 1496]

18 hours ago, 4th and 5 said:

Yes. That’s why you leave a car at the parking lot on oak springs road, then drive up to the basin, hike down to the window, and double back just a bit and take oak spring down to your car. Lots of downhill hiking

That road and parking lot has been closed for years. You have to park on Ross Maxwell these days, making it an even longer hike. 

[4th and 5 4995]

3 hours ago, stc said:

That road and parking lot has been closed for years. You have to park on Ross Maxwell these days, making it an even longer hike. 

the lot was moved further to discourage hikers to Cattail Falls but you do not have to park on Ross Maxell

[stc 1496]

Good to see they finally opened the new lot. The last couple of times i've gone to cattail the barricade at the end of that road was closed. 

[HRSchenker 2331]

Been a fun week! Survived lost mine and window trails 

[Anton Chigurh 3332]

I noticed the Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River and US Biosphere Reserve text was gone from the sign when I was there last month. Not sure what happened there.