Biking at Santa Ana NWR

Last Sunday was a beautiful day, so after we got home from church and the grocery store, we decided to load up the bikes and take a drive over to the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge.  I had read that their park road is open to bicycle traffic Thursday – Sunday, and we could get in a good 7 mile ride in the afternoon.

We stopped in the Visitor Center to get our bicycle permit and wrist bands (no charge for either, but required to keep bicyclists in the park), and started out on the wildlife loop.

First stop was the Observation Towers.

We had a nice view of the refuge, but didn’t see any wildlife – not eagles or hawks, or any other birds for that matter.

The second tower had a swinging bridge between the tower and the steps,

that was fun!

We continued on, until we came to an old cemetery.

We walked along the trail, until we reached the cemetery.

Most of the grave markers are simple crosses, but there are a few headstones, too.

This historic marker was at the grave of Thomas Walter Jones.  He was the one of the surveying team who marked the US-Mexico border along the Rio Grande River, following the Mexican War.  While working on the survey, he drowned in the river.

Leaving the cemetery and getting back on the bikes, we reached a trail that goes down to the Rio Grande River.

We followed the trail, on the lookout for interesting birds, but only saw a bunch of airplants in the trees.

We reached the river,

where we could see a beautiful cattle ranch across the river in Mexico,

and plenty of evidence of trails coming up the bank from the river on the US side.  We couldn’t help but wonder how many illegals try to make their way through the park.  There’s a permanent Border Patrol station inside the park, so I guess they keep a pretty close eye on the situation.

This wildlife refuge is one of the areas that is designated to get a section of border wall, and some people are upset that it will cut through the refuge property.  If they have a gate where the wildlife drive goes through the wall, though, it really shouldn’t make any difference to access for the public.

Photo Op at the Rio Grande!

We finished the ride around the park, stopping at one more trail that sounded like it might take us to a lake (Cattail Lake Trail), but apparently it’s a dry lake, since we never did find any water!  The last section of trail was along the levee wall back to the visitor center.

It was a really nice ride, and a beautiful day to enjoy it!