Big Bender

[Mudclod]

Me and Dudeman Dan had a four day weekend for Easter and elected to ride BBNP for the first time. I had been to Terlingua years before for the AMA dual sport event but it didn’t involve the park.

Sun’s up time for that eight hour drive. Ugh…

So worth the drive! First day early morning ride.

We hit Paint Gap and it hit back! No shortage of rocks.

Dan’s bike refused to “stand” for the abuse as his kickstand bolt backed off. Probably the first KTM that ever happened to!

 

[Mudclod]

After a visit to Panther Junction it was off to Dagger Flats and scenic Old Ore road.

No turning back now!

Dan trys to run away but it’s too late.

The Ernst Tinaja basin was the highlight for sure.

 

[jhansen]

Nice pictures! BBNP is on my bucket list.

 

[Mudclod]

Nice pictures! BBNP is on my bucket list.

Thanks Doc. Any type of motorcyclist would enjoy BBNP.

 

[RollingJ]

I love that place.

 

[Mudclod]

Day two we got an early start down Old Maverick to Santa Elena canyon.

Glad we did as the parking lot was almost full. We were the only motorbikes however. VIP zone!

What a beautiful place!

After a quick break in Castolon is was off to scenic River Road West.

We loves us some sand!

We checked out a great campsite at Gage Station. Potential swimming hole on the Rio Grande.

Old Johnson ranch I believe.

We saw several ranches along the Mexican side of the river and started seeing livestock on our side.

 

[Mudclod]

After Dominguez it was off to the toughest road we were to encounter. The Black Gap.

We were expecting to ride up the ledge but came in from the wrong direction. It was hardly a challenge so many rocks had been packed into place.

The road as a whole is awesome though! Highlight of the trip.

The direction we went resulting in great hill climbs, ending at scenic Glenn Spring. We most likely would have missed the cemetery had a Ranger not tipped us off.
As I recall it around 1915 or 16 Mexican bandits associated with Pancho Villa raided Glenn Spring and several cavalrymen were killed and buried here.

Lastly we had lunch in the shade of the spring and hit Pine canyon on the way out.

A few parting shots from a great ride!

Rio Grande Village

Ernst Tinaja

 

[bwdmax]

Looks like y’all had a great time. Thanks for sharing.