Big Bend National Park Intro tour of its T-Rex, Pterosaur & other giant Fossil Exhibits

[@RoSaWa386-33]

If people like riding bicycles downhill, The Big Bend's 4 blown-out-facing volcanoes creates The Basin, and from The Basin, it's a 30+ miles down to the Rio Grande. There are some down-and-up gulleys to cross but, for the most part, it's downhill. The problem is WATER. When we were thoughtful, we would bring up a dozen gallon jugs of water and see if rangers could drop them at crossroads every 10 miles or so. It's also a great place to ride in Winter - Nov-to-Feb. March can also be cold, and windy. "Wind" is typically the toughest enemy - other than the heat and not having sufficient water. But since most of the ride is downhill, Wind's brittle edges will be the primary problem.

[@RoSaWa386-33]

Oh. It's not all 'free', though... I neglected to mention - "To reach this 30-mile-high point, you've got to ride/walk a 4+ mile gravel RUT upward. Ugh.

[@TheWestisBig]

cool thanks

[@jayhenderson6506]

Very interesting video. Loved learning about the dinosaurs here in Texas. I, for one, and grateful that the crocodiles don't get as big anymore as they once did.

[@TheWestisBig]

Yeah those things were big!

[@sovereigncosmicwildman]

6:47 - Had no idea that a Pterosaur was named "Quetzalcoatlus"...say what??

[@TheWestisBig]

i can't pronounce it- weird name

[@Big_Tex]

1:35 “US Tourists crossing into Mexico” - just in case you thought it might be something else 🤣

[@TheWestisBig]

true. that’s what the on screen text says.

[@dub88acc]

Just got back from Big Bend. Beautiful park. Missed the dinosaur exhibit. Thanks for the video review. Hope you talk about hikes and activities. Its definitely an underrated park.

[@TheWestisBig]

I will be talking about some of the trails. Which did you do? and like best? I've done the 3 mile out and back window and a couple of shortys. If you have any good pics of the trails you did I may want to include them in epic guide which will follow, Im heading back down there in a couple of weeks- if its not too hot. I'll be spending 4 days or so and hopefully working with a local guide I met last month- assuming he doesn't charge me. I'll be shooting the canyons and hopefully dog canyon and crossing the border at the legal spot.

[@dub88acc]

@TheWestisBig Yea would definitely go back. We did the popular hikes. Balanced Rock. Lost mine and window view trails. Also did a bit of stargazing, which was one of the best I've seen with new moon that week. Didn't get a chance to cross at boquillas but heard good things about it. Starlight theatre chili was top notch. Make sure to get there early...had to wait a few hours on a Tuesday lol but definitely worth the wait.

[@TheWestisBig]

i talked to the Big Bends Education Ranger yesterday and he told me the road to balance rock was in bad shape and my all wheel drive suv with road tires might have trouble on it. How’s the road. Is the lost mine worth it?

[@dub88acc]

@TheWestisBig yea the grapevinehills road is not in the best shape but an awd suv should be good. Saw a couple of minivans and a few cars do it with some difficulty, but they got thru. We did it in an suv as well. As long as its dry, might be a little tricky if it rained recently. Lost mine is definitely worth it. I'm not a fan of so many switchbacks, but it's worth the final view. We're currently looking at all your glacier natl park videos. Heading there later this year. Thanks again for all your detailed videos. Truly appreciated 👍

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks for the info- Not sure im up to 1200 feet of elevation gain this early in the season- but I'll go for balanced rock. Thanks for the trail / road info

[@CoryTheRaven]

You got Mosasaur. The fish would be pronounced "zi-fact-in-us" or "zi-fact-een-us." You did good, and that exhibit looks really neat! I've never seen a fully mounted Quetzalcoatlus skeleton before!

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks for watching another one. I'm still not sure I could get it out in one take. Notice I didnt'even try to say the Quetz... It was very cool seeing that thing- its huge and it flew! would have been something to see. BTW- At Sol Ross University in Alpine they have one with skin on hanging from the ceiling- again very cool.

[@randyhawks7549]

Another excellent video my friend, I'm going to Texas to photograph swamps and was wondering what else was in Texas to photograph, I got my answer when you said dinosaur, as I'm a huge dinosaur and fossil collector geek.

[@TheWestisBig]

The geology of the park is quite interesting. There’s also a cone shaped strata volcano on the way. Monahans Sandhills state park can have interesting dunes. They are all several hours from any swampy area. Caddo lake is pretty interesting and worth a google search. And Palo Duro canyon in the panhandle is the 2nd biggest canyon in the US. Not quite canyonlands but not bad

[@randyhawks7549]

@@TheWestisBig I plan to go to Caddo lake, but I think the water level is too high to get a good cypress three photo. It's a long ass drive down from northern Minnesota to Texas just to shoot some trees. Thanks for the tips.

[@TheWestisBig]

you can walk in Dinosaur footprints at Dinosaur valley st park in Glen Rose- there’s a video about it on my channel. It’s s of FOrt worth. Pedernallis Falls is quite a photo op when the water runs and it’s not too far from the 400ft enchanted rock in the Hill Country

[@randyhawks7549]

@@TheWestisBig Another spot is by Tuba City, ten years ago it was free to the public but not now, it seems the Indians have discovered capitalism.

[@TheWestisBig]

I’ve driven through there- didn’t know there was interesting sites there.

[@Sirshackleton]

I wonder how safe it is for someone traveling alone.

[@TheWestisBig]

I generally travel alone. I make sure the all wheel drive suv is well maintained, i carry extra food and water, 2 cel phones and gear to get out of sand if i get stuck. Big Bend had bob cats, but if you leave your dog at home you should be fine. The heat in BB is a danger in the summer especially on trails when there are few visitors. If you’re healthy and not stupid you should be fine.

[@cristianm7451]

Another great video

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks! more on big bend is coming

[@375santa]

구레잇! Great!

[@TheWestisBig]

thanks

[@railroad13]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻♥️

[@TheWestisBig]

Thanks- hope you like it. I’ll be going back in a couple of weeks to shoot more footage. There are lots of reflections on the fossil cases. ill re shoot them.

[@railroad13]

@@TheWestisBig I’ll be in the 4 corners area in June for a month. I’ll definitely be exploring 👍🏻

[@TheWestisBig]

Nice! Ill be there again in May. I assume you've seen my guides to the area. My side trip videos don't have many views but I think they'll help you find cool spots. Like "House on Fire"

[@louie115]

sorry but the earth is not millions of years old.

[@TheWestisBig]

yes it is

[@embryophytelove]

It's actually about 4.5 billion years old.

[@bobmoto3528]

Nasty comment! 😂

[@TheWestisBig]

whose comment are you referring to