{"author":"","main_header":"Trail of the Month: Christmas Mountain, Big Bend Texas","main_sub_header":"Yeah, it's in the middle of nowhere, but that's why you're interested, isn't it? This 26 mile-long primitive road follows the early 1900s historic route used to transport ore from Mexican mines to the railroad station in Marathon.","main_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/2592554263-1645450364\/bigbend.jpg","main_image_caption":"","main_content":[{"content_type":"text","bg_color":"","text":"\u003cp\u003eJoining us this month as we March onward into 2022 is Brian Mcgill, otherwise known as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/dirtwolf6\/\"\u003e@dirtwolf6\u003c\/a\u003e. Brian leads the trail of the month to Christmas Mountain, which is nestled near the Big Bend National Park area. No, you won't find Santa and the reindeer trolling about in their big fluffy winterwear, but it's possible they will be down there in shorts and a Cali Raised LED t-shirt.\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nBrian has been in the off-roading scene since he grew up racing dirtbikes and racing cross-country. Camping and racing have always been a part of his life. \"I just love being outside and away from the busy life in the city, it's just a great way to let loose and relax and have fun. GO EXPLORE!!!\" We couldn't agree more, Brian.\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nLet's get to it!\u003c\/p\u003e","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"full_image","bg_color":"","text":"","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/369960127-1645452605\/christmasmounts.jpeg","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"text","bg_color":"","text":"\u003cp\u003eThe Christmas Mountains range is located just north of the western entrance to Big Bend National Park. The mountains are visible from Texas Highway 118 looking east, roughly where it starts to wind through the foothills just north of Study Butte\/Terlingua. The range covers about 15 square miles and rises dramatically from the Chihuahuan Desert floor. The summit is 5,728 feet, with nearly 2,400 feet of clean prominence. There is no fee for access, but a $75.00 key deposit is required to drive up to the summit. Vehicles must be high clearance 4WD\/AWD, and only one full-sized vehicle is allowed at a time. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are some of the recreational activities allowed.\u003c\/p\u003e","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"tri_image","bg_color":"white","text":"","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/3079371603-1645450364\/christmasmountain_0000s_0000_dirtwolf6-17.jpg","center_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/447601889-1645450363\/christmasmountain_0000s_0003_dirtwolf6-14.jpg","right_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/1706681346-1645450364\/christmasmountain_0000s_0001_dirtwolf6-16.jpg"},{"content_type":"text","bg_color":"gray","text":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTrail Info:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eName of the trail:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nOld Ore Road, Black Gap Road, and Christmas mountain\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocation\u003c\/strong\u003e:\u003cbr \/\u003e\nTerlingua\/ Big Bend National Park\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nOld Ore Road is 26 miles. The Black Gap is 16 miles. Christmas Mountain is 20 miles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest time of year to go:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nI prefer to go in November, warm during the day but nice and cool at night\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nGreat views. Nothing too challenging. It's really cool to see parts of the national park that not everyone gets to experience\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElevation: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nChristmas Mountain summit Elevation: 5,728′.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFees:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nNo fee for Christmas Mountain, 30 dollars for National Park Entry that is good for 7 days I believe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePhone Numbers for local help:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nTerlingua ranch lodge (432)-371-3146.\u003cbr \/\u003e\nBig Bend National Park (432) 477-2251.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrid Coordinates:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n29°25′31″N 103°26′32″WCoordinates: 29°25′31″N 103°26′32″W\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTire Pressure Advice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nI ran my pressure at around 20.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRig requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\n(Example, must be 4x4 with lift kit, or standard 4x4):\u003cbr \/\u003e\nAny standard 4x4 should be ok!\u003c\/p\u003e","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"text","bg_color":"","text":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Ride:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTell us about your favorite part of this trail and what time of year did you go? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nThe best part of all three trails is just the views of the vast desert in big bend and Terlingua.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTell us about the trip in general, did you have any scary moments?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nIt was just a fun trip easy wheeling but very scenic and beautiful desert\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat was the coolest moment?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nDriving up Christmas mountain in the fog was pretty cool. We didn't get to experience the views at the top but it started clearing up and we started heading back down\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWas there any gear you gained a new appreciation for based on this trip?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nHaving walkie helped us communicate where there is no cell service\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWould you ever go back?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nYes\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAnything else you want to share with us? \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nLots of cool stuff in Terlingua. Good food there as well!\u003c\/p\u003e","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"tri_image","bg_color":"","text":"","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/2126617284-1645450364\/christmasmountain_0000s_0008_dirtwolf6-4.jpg","center_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/1982309415-1645450364\/christmasmountain_0000s_0009_dirtwolf6-2.jpg","right_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/3210996939-1645450362\/christmasmountain_0000s_0010_dirtwolf6-1.jpg"},{"content_type":"text","bg_color":"","text":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat makes this a difficult or easy trail?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nThese trails are relatively easy it's more about the views\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat keeps you Overlanding and off-roading?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nAlways going to see and experience new areas\/ cities. I love exploring!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat’s your dream trail and why?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nAll the trails! I really want my next trip to be in the Ozarks. I want to do some water crossing and maybe some fishing!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWould you recommend this trail to anyone or more experienced folks?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nI think anyone could do these trails. Nothing too difficult just be smart and safe and you shouldn't have any issues\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into Overlanding and off-roading?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr \/\u003e\nI'm 39 now. Grew up racing cross country dirt bike races always camped when racing. I just love being outside and away from the busy life in the city. It's just a great way to let loose and relax and have fun GO EXPLORE!!!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstagram:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dirtwolf6\u003c\/p\u003e","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"text","bg_color":"gray","text":"\u003cp\u003ePlaces to visit while Overlanding on the trial is Terlingua, Texas. They have a ton of glamping hotels in the town making it a hipster ghost town. The most recommended thing to do in Terlingua is going to the starlight theatre and saloon. This old theatre showcases old western architecture and is known for its chili. Next is the cemetery. Dating back to 1903 the cemetery feature many people who died of mining accidents and the influenza epidemic in 1918. Lastly, there is a ton of artwork that is made out of modern rusty sculptures. Some featured around the town are a motorcycle and a dragonfly!\u003c\/p\u003e","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"","center_image":"","right_image":""},{"content_type":"tri_image","bg_color":"","text":"","image_clickable":"","image_clickable_caption":"","clickable_image_url":"","button_caption":"","button_url":"","video_embed_url":"","full_image":"","full_image_caption":"","square_image":"","rectangular_image":"","left_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/2320635421-1645452410\/big_bend_christmas_mountain_0000s_0002_desert-rose-97t-vrc4bjc-unsplash.jpg","center_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/2286345816-1645452410\/big_bend_christmas_mountain_0000s_0001_ben-duchac-3fjoxw1rbpo-unsplash.jpg","right_image":"https:\/\/content.caliraisedled.com\/media\/pages\/blog\/556204720170\/329689499-1645452410\/big_bend_christmas_mountain_0000s_0000_brittani-burns-pq-bosq8ijg-unsplash.jpg"}]}