Black Gap Road (Big Bend NP)

January 21, 2023 -- This was a fun ride in Big Bend National Park. I got to see a wild horse and pass a $600K+ EarthCruiser overland vehicle. A lot of other people were out having fun on this trail as well. I crossed paths with three groups of overlanders with 11, 2 and 5 vehicles in their convoys. Black Gap Road is one of only three Jeep Badge of Honor Trails in Texas and sixty-two in the US. The 8.5-mile backcountry road connects Glenn Spring Road and River Road with north to south travel being the common route (I went in the opposite direction). The trail gets its 3.0 "Easy" rating based on one obstacle in "Pinch Canyon," otherwise it is primarily a 2.0 to 2.5 rating.

Contents:
0:00 -- River Road East
0:32 -- Mariscal Mine
1:04 -- Black Gap Road
3:55 -- Convoy of 11 overlanders
7:45 -- Convoy of 2 Jeeps
8:54 -- NPS crew
10:10 -- Pinch Canyon
13:44 -- Convoy of 7 Jeeps
16:10 -- I somehow got high-centered (the rock didn't seem that big!)
18:20 -- Glenn Spring
19:00 -- Glenn Spring Road
19:17 -- Pass the EarthCruiser EXP
19:32 -- A wild horse on River Road

[lostinlamancha]

Thanks for sharing this video. It was actually pretty cool with the music to follow the flowing two track. Seems really flowy and chill since we’re going to ride it next week.

[Greenturtlmonstr]

Great overview of Black Gap Road. I'm heading there next week, and this video has been helpful for planning my trail route! Looks like you had a great time

[geomark]

Love your video! It brought back many good memories of Big Bend and Black Gap Road. I have driven Black Gap many times in both directions and love the scenery and the views of the southern Chisos Mountains. I also think your comments about the difficulty are spot on. I think the most difficult road in the Park now is The Old Ore Road. I followed a motorcyclist on a BMW adventure bike and she laid it down about 5 times scrambling over the rocks and boulders. I was glad I was in the Jeep but it has become a rougher ride in the past few years and is teeth rattling now. It has gotten so rough now that it takes me about 1.5 more hours to drive it. I love the scenery and geology on it, however, and always stop to hike both tinajas. I also always stop at the roadside grave to pay my respects to both victims. Thanks again - I enjoyed the video! BTW @ 18:07 in your video is the side road to the Glen Springs Cemetary with about 20 graves.