DRIVE TO WORK - DECEMBER 31, 2009Well, it's the last day of the old year, and I'm off to work (my Friday!). I was so mesmerized by the full moon floating ahead of me on the drive to work, I just had to stop and give it its due. What a nice way to end the year. It was kind of a dangerous drive, though, as I couldn't take my eyes off the moon.
THE LAST SUNSET OF 2009Nothing too spectacular, as sunsets go out here, just a lot of nice, warm light due to a high, thin overcast. Adios, 2009!!! Don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out.
ABUELO AWAITSBelieve it or not, this is a very important piece of geology, as this mountain is composed of the oldest rocks of any in the park -- 500,000,000 million years old, dating back to the Ordovician Period. This mountain was formed at the same time and by the same forces that created the Appalachian Mountains, when the earth here got folded over and layers of rock that had been slumbering deep underground were suddenly thrust upward and laid atop the land. Pretty amazing stuff, huh? Since no one had taken the initiative to name this particular geological feature, I had been calling it The Old Man, but have now opted for Abuelo (Spanish for "Grandfather"), since it is indeed the grandfather of all rocks in Big Bend.
The small cairn of rocks in the foreground is the start of the Persimmon Gap Draw Trail, which will lead us up to the top of the mountain -- sort of. Some bushwhacking (or cactuswhacking, I guess you'd have to say) will be involved.
COLORS AND FOLDSYou can see evidence of the folding process that went on by looking at the various directions the rock strata takes. The different colorations in the rock are quite striking.
LAYERS IN TIMEI came upon this rock with the prettiest colors in its layers. The striking light-colored layers truly fascinated me. Geology rocks!!! (Ha ha)
LOOKING BACKFor the most part, the Persimmon Gap Draw Trail follows (or is) a dry waterway called a draw, hence the name. There's not much to see as far as views go while following this draw, but occasionally one pops up, such as this one here. I finally found the side trail just before the first bowl that was hidden by a huge catclaw bush. Much perforation -- as usual -- was involved in clearing the trail entrance. This was the view from up above the bowl.
THE CORAZONESThe two prominent peaks off in the distance are called the Corazones ("The Hearts"). We've now left the draw and are heading up the mountain. There's no trail per se from here on, just picking the best route through all the prickly stuff -- an ocean of lechugilla, tasajillo, ocotillo, pitaya, prickly pear, and other such desert delights, as seen here. Again with the perforation.
PERSIMMON PEAK - NORTH FACEHere's another little hill I intend to climb someday, Persimmon Peak. Even though this mountain sits right next to Abuelo, It's but a youngster -- a mere 65,000,000 years old, dating from the Cretaceous Period. The trick to climbing this fellow is finding the route up without getting "cliffed out." Not an easy trick, from what I can see.
MY DESTINATIONIt was funny, but I could see the top getting closer and closer, only to find that once I achieved it, the real summit still lay ahead. Well, it's not like it was a whole mountain over, as I've encountered in the past. It was an "easy" walk from here. Just look at all that lechugilla out there -- the sharp pointy bushes -- just waiting for a tender, unsuspecting ankle to bite. They are one nasty customer, believe you me.
PERSIMMON GAP BELOWAnd here we have the view from Abuelo's summit. If you click on the photo, you can make out the Visitor Center, the Entrance Station (with a car driving up), and the as-yet-completed housing unit to the right, 582' below. According to my GPS unit, we're at 3552' right now, in case you're interested. You can also see the draw that is the trail snaking from the VC through the lower left corner of the photo. Not a bad view for lunch, huh?
RAVEN ON THE WINGThis is either George or Gracie, one of a mated pair of Chihuahuan Ravens who have taken up residence in Persimmon Gap. When I first saw them, they were flying below me, but after they found out I was up here, they came up and put on an aerobatic display. It could possibly have been a mating ritual. I've got a video I'll put up on my video blog.
MOUNTAIN MANWell, no New Year's Day hike would be complete without a New Year's self-portrait. I look pretty happy with myself, don't I? Well, I should be, as this is something I've wanted to do for a very long time, and it was the perfect time to do it. Happy New Year, folks!!!
