Mortar and Pestle in Big Bend

[GrizLeeBear]

I came across this while hiking in Big Bend N.P. It is the first time I found one with the pestle in place. I was in a seldom hiked place north of Croton Springs. I left it just as I found it.

 

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[bsit1361]

Very cool. Wonder if its always been there or if someone placed the Rick there in modern times.

 

[bsit1361]

Rock not Rick sorry bout that.

 

[GrizLeeBear]

Very cool. Wonder if its always been there or if someone placed the Rick there in modern times.

I don't know, but it looked like it had been there for a while. There was a build up of silt at the base. It seemed to fit the hole. I can only say it is in an out of the way place. Big Bend is a nice park in that you can hike anywhere you want without people always telling you to get on the trail. I was walking and climbing when I came across this. There were several other motar holes in the area, but none with the pestle in it. There were some scattered flint chips near by and the remains of an old fire ring. This area was populated off and on by the Apache and the Comanche. Thousands of years ago the Chisos indians were in the area, but little is known about them.

 

[old digger]

That is a rare occurance to find the two together like that. I might have put a dead limb over it to make it not so conspicious. But still remember where it is so you can show the grandkids. Awesome Find!

 

[GrizLeeBear]

That is a rare occurance to find the two together like that. I might have put a dead limb over it to make it not so conspicious. But still remember where it is so you can show the grandkids. Awesome Find!

I didn't think of that. I'd like to think that most people would leave it like I left it, but I am enough of a realist to know someone will come along and pick it up. I'll remember the branch idea.

 

[austin]

The grinding holes are quite common along the Rio Grande, around Rio Grande Village in the park. Have never seen a pestle in one, but suspect that someone may have placed it there as an example of how it was used or because they found it and put it there as an example. Glad you left it. If I recall, Croton Spring has a road going toward it and then a fairly easy trail. Nice pic you took...

 

[GrizLeeBear]

Yes, it is a short road to a parking area and then a trail down to three washes. I made it to the actual spring in about half a mile. From there I went north east about a mile in. I don't follow trails. I just wander around out there. I cannot imagine many people hve been to the exact area I was at. It is why I like to winter in this area. There are 802,000 acres here to just wander around in. There is no actual trail to Croton Spring. It is just a place you can walk to if you like wandering in the desert.

 

[austin]

Take a hike down to Mariscal Canyon from the center of the park. Desolate, but an interesting hike. Never saw a snake, but lots of those little pigs that just ignore you. Might give you a chance to see a mountain lion or black bear. I love Big Bend. Spent a lot of time there in the past. My favorite place is Hot Springs. Spent a very pleasurable evening there once with a young lovely who I should have married. You might want to check out Big Bend Ranch State Park and the Black Gap Wildlife Refuge if you haven't done so. Much more desolate...