Today we got an early start and returned to Big Bend to hike the Lost Mine Trail. This is a challenging mountain hike starting over 5000 feet and finishing at almost 7000 feet. The trail was originally designed by the CCC during the depression as a donkey or burro path. In those days ladies didn't hike and rode up the mountain instead. Good thing that has changed! The trail was rocky at times and had lots of switchbacks. The views were spectacular. When we reached the top we had a picnic lunch before heading back down.
Interestingly, at the higher elevation there were many more trees and green plants than we had seen in the desert.
After the hike we returned to Terlingua where we visited what is called the ghost town. In the early 20th century there was a mercury mine here. The ghost town is the ruins of the mine and buildings that were part of the mining community.
In the ghost town is the Historic Starlight Theater. It was once an open air theater but now it is a restaurant and that is where we had our dinner. I ate a mesquite smoked barbecue sandwich because Texas!!
On the way back from the Lost Mine trail we stopped at the visitor center. In the parking lot was this bird which turned out to be a roadrunner. Not exactly like the Looney Tunes version!
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