The Agnew Family aboard the "Dog House"

Another full day to explore the park. Today’s tour took us up Grapevine Hills Road to Balancing Rock, Chisos Basin and Hot Springs Road to the hot springs. Grapevine Hills Road is a partially improved dirt road turning into a rougher dirt road — actually not bad. The first mile of the hike was through the desert but the last quarter mile of the hike was more interesting as you had to scramble up some rocks to the Balancing Rock. It was pretty amazing — definitely worth the hike.

Chisos Basin was like a different world — still some desert but a lot more trees (pinyon pine, oaks and junipers). We saw a small herd of Carmen Mountains whitetail deer by the parking lot in the basin. There are several trails that start here and we opted to hike the two shortest and easiest — maybe we will be more adventurous on another visit to the park (the other trails are full day hikes).

The last stop of the day was Hot Springs Road and the hot springs. The family homesteading this part of the park from 1909 to 1916 developed a small health resort utilizing the spring’s natural hot water for baths. The hot spring continues to bubble up in the ruins of the bath house and many park visitors sit in the maybe 2 foot deep 105F degree water. Ed and I joined a group of people sitting in the spring.



Hmmm, can I push the rock down?


I hope the rock doesn't fall.


Carmen Mountains whitetail deer


The mountain is called Casa Grande as it looks like a large fort or castle.


The remains of a store out by the hotsprings.


Petroglyphs near the hot springs trail.


The hot springs are only separated from the Rio Grande by a stone wall. Mexico is about 15 feet away.