Big Bend
A Collection of Photographs
from Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park
and Black Gap Wildlife Management Area
March 2022
This spring trip to Big Bend was earlier than usual, the last week in March. It took place during a drought and following a very cold spell in February the scenery was mostly shades of brown and the wildflowers almost non-existant. But, it was great weather for mountain biking, with trips into Big Bend Ranch State Park on two days and Lajitas Airport Trails on another, as well as a hike up Pinnacles Trail in the Chisos Basin.
After leaving the park I spent a night at Seminole Canyon State Park near the confluence of the Pecos River and Rio Grande just upstream of Amistad Reservoir. One of the attractions of the park are the ancient petroglyphs on the canyon walls.
Big Bend National Park
Santa Elena Sunrise
Pano taken just at sunrise
9211
Santa Elena Sunrise
Pano taken just at sunrise just moments later as sun became block by a cloud bank
9228
Chisos Mountains Sunset
Pano taken from Desert Mountain Overlook 9266
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Contrabando Waterhole
Story board with details of the McGuirk house at Contabando Waterhole in Big Bend Ranch State Park 1457
McGuirk House 07274
McGuirk House 07276
McGuirk House 07282
McGuirk House 07284
McGuirk House and Contrabando Waterhole 07285
Contrabando Waterhole 7289
Drought has taken its toll on the waterhole
McGuirk House and Contrabando Waterhole 07292
Viewpoint near the West Main trail
McGuirk House and Contrabando Waterhole 07292
Viewpoint near the West Main trail
Seminole Canyon State Park
Pecos River High Bridge 9340
Just west of Seminole Canyon, the highest hihway bridge in Texas spans the Pecos River
Pecos River High Bridge 9341
Seminole Canyon 9290
Seminole Canyon creek bed looking toward the Fate Bell petroglyph shelter
Seminole Canyon 9292
Seminole Canyon creek bed just below the Fate Bell petroglyph shelter
Seminole Canyon Petroglyphs 9323
Pano of one “panel” of the petroglyphs in the Fate-Bell shelter
Seminole Canyon Petroglyphs 9328
A clearer representation of the petroglyphs
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Sierra del Carmen at sunset from overlook at Rio Grande Village