Big Bend and Beyond - The Most Scenic Drives in America: 120 Spectacular Road Trips - page 748

of the Chisos Mountains, which lie at the heart of the park, and the Rio Grande, which
rollsalongitssouthernboundary.Theresultisaworldofastonishingvariety,anentrancing
realmofsandyslopesandgrassyfields,deepcanyonsandtoweringpeaks,tinyspringsand
one of the longest rivers in North America.
No less varied than the park's terrain is its wildlife. About 1,200 species of plants (in-
cluding more than 60 kinds of cactus) thrive within its 800,000 acres, as well as 75-odd
species of mammals, 66 species of reptiles, and more than 400 kinds of birds—a greater
number than are found at any other national park.
AsyouentertheparkatPersimmonGap(44milessouthofMarathon),itisnotuncom-
mon to see mule deer and jackrabbits roaming the roadside and hawks soaring overhead.
To the south looms Big Bend's magnificent centerpiece, the Chisos Mountains, crowned
by7,835-footEmoryPeak.Likeagreenislandinadesertsea,theChisosRangeisforested
with such high-country trees as Douglas firs, ponderosa pines, and even quaking aspens,
isolated here far from their primary ranges. If you arrive in early spring, it's a good idea
to take the side road to Dagger Flat. Depending on the timing of recent rainfalls, hundreds
of giant dagger yuccas may be in bloom there, each one adorned with massive clusters of
gleaming white flowers.
5. Rio Grande Village
At Panther Junction, drive southeast on Hot Springs Road until you reach Dugout Wells,
once a ranch and schoolhouse and now a pleasant picnic spot. As the road rambles on to-
wardRioGrandeVillage,twoofthepark'smostprominentpeakscomeintoview.Lookfor
aptly named Elephant Tusk off in the distance to the south and, closer to the road, Chilico-
tal Mountain.
At Rio Grande Village (an excellent spot for bird-watching), a short nature trail loops
across the lush floodplain before climbing to a ridge that overlooks the Sierra del Carmen
in Mexico and, of course, the endlessly flowing ribbon of the Rio Grande.
Here and elsewhere throughout the park, enjoy the dazzling array of vegetation to be
found in this living desert—ubiquitous bluebonnets, fragrant creosote bushes, prickly pear
cacti, and the striking sword-shaped leaves of lechuguillas, to name just a few. Returning
to Panther Junction, head west on Rte. 118 until you arrive at the turnoff for Basin Drive.