Vernon Bailey from the Maxwell Drive

The National Park Service has developed the Maxwell Scenic Drive to Castolon as its focus for interpretation of Big Bend's geology. There are many roadside signs explaining how volcanism and erosion (mostly) created the landscape of the Chisos Mountains and the desert south and west of the Chisos to the Rio Grande. One of the impressive mountains you'll see on the Maxwell Drive is Vernon Baily, seen here from near Sam Nail Ranch. January 2010.