Big Bend National Park

• $260 member or $285 non-member - Rio Grande Village campsite
  $270 member or $295 non-member - Chisos campsite
• Mail checks to:

Average Thanksgiving temperature at Big Bend are about 30 to 70 degrees F, but we have had tempreratures as low as 16 and as high as 90 on some trips. BE PREPARED!

• Transportation by van from Austin to Big Bend and return;
• Van transportation during the trip;
• All entrance and camping fees at Big Bend National Park;
• All meals in camp.

There will be several other expenses that participants should expect to cover themselves:

• Meals on the road;
• Any excursions or side trips;
• Coin-op showers at the park;
• Other miscellaneous expenses

Sign me up for:

Rio Grande Village ($260/member) ________ members

Chisos Basin ($270/member) ________ members

(non-members add $25)

TOTAL ENCLOSED: $_____________
Name: ___________________________
Cell Phone: _______________________
Home Phone: _____________________
Email: ___________________________
Diet considerations: _________________________________

Mail your check, made out to THE AUSTIN SIERRA CLUB, to hold your place on this trip to:

Steve Funderburg
2006 Alguno Rd
Austin, Texas 78757

There will be a Pre-Trip Meeting on November 20 at 6:30 pm to provide additional information and to answer questions about the trip. The Pre-Trip Meeting will be held at the Carver Branch Library, 1161 Angelina Street.

All participants should plan on attending the pre-trip meeting and orientation for this trip. At that meeting you will be introduced to your trip leaders and other participants. Trip leaders will review the logistics of van travel and, if necessary, help arrange for early or late van departures to accommodate your schedule. They will review the hike options so you will know what to expect when you arrive in camp and they will make sure that all required Sierra Club forms (Medical forms and Liability Waivers) are completed, signed and turned in.

Rio Grande Village is located near Boquillias Canyon and the Rio Grande river. The elevation is lower than in the Chisos and the large campground offers restrooms and coin-operated showers at the nearby camp store (until 6 PM). The Rio Grande Village is a short drive or a long walk from the famous Big Bend hot springs, a great way to end an evening of hiking in the park.

The Chisos Mountains Campground is nestled in the bowl formed by the surrounding Chisos Mountains. There are two 10-person campsites. Although it can be colder than the Rio Grande Village site, the last couple of years it has been warmer. It is close to some of the most spectacular hikes in the park. There are modern restrooms but no shower facilities at this mountain site.

November is usually one of the best times to visit Big Bend. The days are typically in the high 60's with the lows in the 40's. Perfect hiking and sleeping weather. But nothing about Big Bend is totally predictable, and the temperature can vary from the 90's to the 30's - sometime within a 24-hour period. The sites listed below will give you both current information about weather and historical information about seasonal averages.

Visit the Big Bend weather page for information on current weather at both the Chisos and Panther Junction (the main entrance station), records of temperature averages by month and live webcam shots of the park.

"Layer up." That is the advice you will get from most experienced campers on virtually any camping trip where there is a large variation in temperature. Synthetic fibers (nylon, rayon and Polartec) are generally superior to cotton in terms of quick drying and wicking away of moisure from rain or hard-earned sweat. But cotton is frequently reasonably warm and considerably less expensive. Hope for bright warm sunny days but bring enough cold weather clothes to be comfortable if a Texas Blue Norther blows in.

The following list includes the essentials for a trip to Big Bend at this time of year. If you have questions about equipment, please contact your trip leaders.

IN A DUFFEL**:

• Tent (make sure all the parts are there and that you know how to set it up)
• Ground cloth/tarp for tent
• Sleeping Bag -rated to at least 20 degrees F
• Thermal sleeping bag pad (much better than an air mattress in cold weather)
• Pillow or stuff sack
• Bandana(s)
• Hiking hat
• Hiking Stick
• Winter Coat (a light, GoreTex parka is ideal)
• Gloves or mittens
• Watch cap or PolarTec headband that covers your ears
• Long pants (jeans)
• Hiking shorts
• Short-sleeve shirt/T-shirt
• Long-sleeve shirt
• PolarTec pullover or light sweater
• Bathing suit
• Changes of clothes/underwear
• Hiking boots - good ones
• Several pair of hiking socks
• Comfortable shoes for camp
• Poncho or rain gear
• Ziploc bags for small items
• Water bottles (2 to 3 quarts)
• Camp chair

IN A DAYPACK (take on the van):

• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Money
• Sunglasses
• Lip balm, sun screen, skin lotion insect repellent - small sizes
• Comb/hairbrush
• Shampoo in a ziploc bag
• Toothpaste/toothbrush
• Towel/washcloth
• Soap in a container (unscented)
• Any needed personal medications
• Earplugs. People snore. It's a fact of life. Be prepared.
• Camera/extra batteries
• Extra film (it's expensive at the park store)
  
  **Duffel bags or large backpacks are much better than hard-sided luggage for trips like this. Your gear will be packed in the back of a van or in the camp trailer and will not be accessible until you reach the campground. Please pack everything you will need during the van trip in your daypack.