Black Gap Wildlife Management Area Scouting Trip
Details
Hike plans can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1W0c9x81SxDZ8EnkdIApPT4mpPbFieZXO?usp=sharing
Notes and hike summaries
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1m-musk1s5YhsVKKPeYJnc4lyo4Xf-gG0vJWheeLuuy8/
Video of Ridge Top Hike
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ysmn3lTFPVNYabT4QjT6Rbpa30AYBl15/view?usp=sharing
The Black Gap Wildlife Management Area is 103,000 acres of Chihuahuan Desert with 25 miles of frontage on the Rio Grande river. It serves as wildlife habitat to support the reintroduction of native desert bighorn sheep. The terrain is similar to that of the desert in the neighboring Big Bend National Park.
WMA is only fully open to visitors for a limited periods in the winter. There are few trails so exploring the area is primarily done by free-hiking on game trails in the desert. Camping is primitive. See the WMAs web site for full details.
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=2
Toughest planned hike, Staircase Mountain. About 13 miles and 1500 feet elevation gain.
Seven Day Forecast
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.6506&lon=-102.9876
Hourly Forecast
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.6506&lon=-102.9876&FcstType=graphical
Entry into Black Gap requires a Texas public land use permit that must be purchase in advance for $12 at this site:
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/annual_public_hunting/
This is an "and More" event for us. Not a regular camping trip. Everyone goes on the waitlist. I will move campers to going once they tell me they have the required public land use permit.
The hikes will be ad hoc, drawn as best as we can to cover the territory. I am looking into routes that go through the desert and ways to get up in the mountains. If anyone has experience here please let me know.
Camping Rules:
This is bear county, so a clean and food free camp is required.
Visitors must bring their own water and pack out all trash.
The only restroom facility is located at the headquarters campsite.
Only "dead and down" wood may be collected for firewood.
All campfires must be in the provided fire rings. Camping is only allowed at designated sites for resource protection.
CAUTION: Watch for venomous snakes, insects, mountain lions, black bears and flash flooding.
First-aid supplies, sunscreen, basic car repair kit and food should be taken along for emergencies.
About Black Gap WMA
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/find_a_wma/list/?id=2