Session: CANCELLED Big Bend National Park - Chihuahuan Desert Diversity (4 days 3 overnights)--DEADLINE TO SIGN UP JUNE 1 (96th ESA Annual Meeting (August 7 -- 12, 2011))

Thursday, August 4, 2011: 1:00 PM-5:00 PM

Trinity Street Lobby Field Trip Pick Up, Austin Convention Center

Trip Leader:

Daniel J. Leavitt

Big Bend National Park (www.nps.gov/bibe) is one of the many jewels in the crown of the National Park Service. Yet, it is one of the least visited and unknown National Parks in the U.S. Known for incredible geologic and biological diversity Big Bend is, by far, one of the must see locations in Texas. This short visit will introduce participants to Big Bend, the Chihuahuan desert, and the amazing diversity that exists in this remote borderland. This whirlwind camping trip will offer hiking, photographic opportunities, and wildlife viewing. In August, the summer "monsoons" have set in and slightly cooler and stormy weather arrive. ***If you register for this trip do NOT make travel plans to Austin until mid-June. If by that time we see there is not enough interest in the trip, we will need to cancel the trip.***

Registration Fee: $585

Equipment and Attire: Preparing for three overnights will be necessary. Necessities include: hiking shoes/boots, water bottle or hydration pack, summer hiking cloths, tent, and sleeping bag (trip leaders can provide some extra tents & cots if needed). This trip should be considered an adventure for people interested in hiking, birdwatching, botanizing, photography, and the like.

Itinerary: We will leave from the Austin Convention Center Thursday afternoon which should get us to the Chisos Basin Campground late that evening. Friday hiking options: 12 mile round trip, 9 mile round trip, or two separate 5 mile hikes. Dinner at the Chisos Mountains Lodge (on our own). Night-time activity possibilities include Evening Ranger Program, nighttime hike, or star-party. Saturday morning, we drive to Santa Elena Canyon along the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. There will be many stops along the way for hiking, photography and discussions on the unique geology, ecology, and history of this region. We will return to the Chisos Mountains in the afternoon for an optional rest or hike. Dinner at the Chisos Mountains Lodge. Night-time activity possibilities include Evening Ranger Program, nighttime hike, or star-party. Sunday morning we will discuss group options and head back to Austin before 12 PM and should return to the Austin Convention Center before 9 PM.

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FT 1 - CANCELLED Big Bend National Park - Chihuahuan Desert Diversity (4 days 3 overnights)--DEADLINE TO SIGN UP JUNE 1