Big Bend during Winter?

[Justin]

I've been wanting to get to big bend for a few years now, but just have not had time. Was thinking it might make a good winter destination, but of course might be wrong. What kind of weather/temps can be expected during the winter months down there? Also, what are some most hit roads on the way down from Denver area? Looks like there might be some nice roads around the Fort Davis/Alpine area (guess that's the Davis Mtn's?).

[Orson]

It's a roll of the dice  

I went in January 1999 and enjoyed sunny, blue skies with 70 degree daytime temperatures. I think it dipped down to about 50 degrees in the mornings.

It could just as easily be cold and wet, with temps dipping into the low 40s ...or worse  

I stayed at the Chisos Mountain Lodge which, is expensive for what are basic motel lodgings but, they're charging for the location, which is hard to beat. Located inside an extinct volcano crater, the road to the lodge rises some 3000 feet in 7 miles. It's a cool refreshing change from the hot desert below during the summer although, that won't be a factor in the wintertime. At night, you look up in the sky and see stars like few other places.

Compared to Colorado, the roads in southern New Mexico can't really compare. The best roads are probably around Ruidoso and Cloudcroft. You can take NM-285 from Santa Fe to Carlsbad but, again, it's nothing compared to Colorado.

TX-118 from Kent on I-10 to Fort Davis, might just be the best, twisty road in Texas (my opinion)

From Fort Davis on south, the roads are full of faaast sweepers   but the real star of the show is the vast, desolate, desert scenery. There is something about the remote isolation of the Big Bend that draws me to it.

Top off your tank in Marfa, Alpine or Marathon cuz there won't be another station (or anything else) for the next 80 to 90 miles  

[Justin]

Thanks for the feedback Orson. And yes, the roads in that section of NM don't compare to CO and I've ridden in the Ruidoso area before. However, NM does have a lot of great roads in the highlands that do compare

As to the weather, that sounds fine to me, no issues at all with 40's, or even 30's. As long as it's not snowing, it's all good. Thanks for the road tips

[Medic09]

Orson pretty well covered it.  I used to go out there in December for backpacking.  Temps were usually mild.  Remember the desert sheds all its heat at night, especially on clear nights.  Can get cold for sleeping.  Some great places to hike; and not just in the national park area.   Great countryside to explore on a motorbike.

[Orson]

It's a magical place   Take the adult beverage of your choice for the 5 o'clock cocktail hour. Watch a dazzling West Texas sunset then lay on your back and gaze at the Milky Way  

There's some hot springs on the Rio Grande near Boquillas. You have to ride about 3 miles of jeep trail but, it's passable on a street bike.

I don't think they get much snow down there but, freezing rain might be possible once in a blue moon. Just check the weather forecast before you leave.

They get more sunny days than rainy days. That's why its a desert  

[yotes65]

For Lodging, Check out the Sauceda Lodge Bunkhouse, $35 per person:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/lodging/

[Daniel Kalal]

Here's the approach to Marathon, Texas in December:


No; this is not a bike.  Yes; that's snow.

[Justin]

For Lodging, Check out the Sauceda Lodge Bunkhouse, $35 per person:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/big_bend_ranch/lodging/

So it's a bunk house? Meaning you'll be sharing space with others? Not that I'm shy, or opposed to that, but I'm a terrible snorer, and I don't think the others would like it  

[Justin]

Here's the approach to Marathon, Texas in December:


No; this is not a bike.  Yes; that's snow.

Sometimes you just have to deal with what mother nature throws at you. That certainly looks rideable, not that it would be my first choice though; definitely have been stuck in worse (like 4-5 inches of snow going over Molas and Coal Bank passes in CO  )

[Duc OT]

Justin,

I'm heading down there from Albuquerque on/about 14 Dec.  What are your plans?

[Justin]

Justin,

I'm heading down there from Albuquerque on/about 14 Dec.  What are your plans?

I don't have solid plans, I was "feeling the waters" as they say. But that would be do-able. How long were planning for the trip down? The 14th looks like a weekday, I usually take a few extra days and do these rides in a long weekend .

[FJRmgm]

was there the first weekend in December last year and it was great.  Highs in the mid-60's to 70 and gloriously sunny with lows in the upper 30's at night.

But, as the one photo points out, you could also get snow there also.

It and the area around it is a spectacular place to see.

[Duc OT]

I don't have solid plans, I was "feeling the waters" as they say. But that would be do-able. How long were planning for the trip down? The 14th looks like a weekday, I usually take a few extra days and do these rides in a long weekend .

I have a meeting to attend to on Monday the 13th, but plan to bust out of town the following day.  I'll ride down and spend the night, then sample some of their best roads for 2 days.  Plan on riding back up to ABQ on 17 Dec.

[Ken Phenix]

  I'm also thinkin' about a trip to Big Bend but it would have to be the week after Christmas for me.