Big Bend, Santa Elena Canyon - 2/07/15

Continuing 8 miles past Castolon, is the incredible Santa Elena Canyon. It is 8 miles long and 1,500' deep. The ancient limestone formations have been exposed by years of erosion caused by the Rio Grande.

We took Sadie for a walk and found a shady parking spot for her while we hiked the Canyon Trail.

There is a wide beach area on the U.S. side of the Rio Grande here.

We began the steep ascent of the well-maintained Santa Elena Canyon Trail.

Marine fossils can be seen in the rock here. The oyster-like animals lived during the Cretaceous Period...100 million years ago.

The trail continues along the edge of the Rio Grande.

Cliff walls on the U.S. side of the canyon.

We returned to the sandy beach area for a final look at the canyon and spotted this canoe in the distance.

Final view of the Rio Grande at this location. It was stunning!

I think our two favorite spots that we have visited thus are this (Santa Elena Canyon) and Boquillas Canyon on the opposite side of the park. Check out the Big Bend website for additional information about Santa Elena Canyon.

Website:  www.nps.gov/bibe