Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone ever herped and stay at wildhorse station? What herps species can be found here? I read below that alterna and Lepidus are common there and those are my main targets.

Hello Blake,
Like many of the alterna aficionados that frequent this board, I have stayed at the Wildhorse Station several times over the past ten years. It is a great place to stay giving you the choice to either concentrate your efforts north around Alpine or further south near Terilingua, Pepper's Hill, Lajitas or along the River Road. Or you can simply hunt in the Christmas Mountains themselves, cruising north to the flats and south to Study Butte. The owner and operator of Wildhorse Station, Louise Hammer, is a wonderful woman and enjoys seeing all of us. She is very herp friendly and allows us to explore the areas all throughout the back of Wildhorse itself.
From your recent series of questions, I gather that you are quite the newbie. We were all there once. Feel free to contact me through e-mail with any additional questions. Again, don't feel like you are bombarding all of us with too may questions. Just be be patient with us in taking the time to answer you. Everyone here is extremely helpful and knowledgeable, there is sometimes just way too much information to hand out without you simply experiencing much of it on your own.
Regards,
Nathan Wells

Nathan, you are a gentleman and a scholar! I wish all the forums were like this one.
Todd Hughes
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Todd Hughes

Wow Todd, that was nice and totally unexpected. Thanks for the kind words.
Nathan

Haha, I am in a fairly decent mood, lol! It isn't terribly cold here now, but even the indigos have gone down for a spell. It was just that when I was a nebie, hah, still haven't put one under my belt, but have put in some serious time with some nice animals to show for it, there were some good guys and bad guys, mostly good guys found here, and they helped develope my skills in a place I had only crossed through before. Once out there, I was able to take what I learned and coupled with what I knew, had a blast! That is the best part, if I never reach alternahood, I will still be able to say I had a great time doing it! The folks on here are really class acts, all of you, and you know who you are. Those few that come on to disparage and troll are just that, and more than a bit sad. I hope we will all try to continue to help up and coming herpers, and get back the priveledge of road cruising soon! Wow, didn't see that coming!

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Todd Hughes

Well said my man...
Nathan

I hope you guys realize that Wildhorse is now charging around $100.00 to stay at their facility. I checked this out when I went through this past Summer. If you have a good deal with her, hey, all the better, but she has gone up!!!

Wayne

Big Bend Motor Inn "was" $95.00 per night and I suspect they have gone up too. So if you want to compare I'd still rather have the cabin at Louise's. If you want cheap I guess it's the Easter Egg or nothing, but then you don't get "big backyard".
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http://www.hcu-tx.org

Most of the species native to the Big Bend area can be found in the vicinity of the Wildhorse.
However, you may have to stay years to see everything.
Neither alterna or lepidus are commonly seen anywhere, much less in one particular spot.
Wildhorse is within striking distance of River Road, Xmas Mts, Black Gap, Alpine, BIg Bend park, and the 90.
Its a pretty nice place, and the "cabins" are large enough to share with another herper or two.
I'd say (from my experience) that the most commonly seen snakes are Hypsiglena and Bogertophis, but other herpers stories may be different.
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Austin Herp. Soc.

Your first assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to read the Dennie Miller paper on Alterna. Digest it, then come back to us with some more questions.

http://www.kingsnake.com/alterna/miller.html

Good Luck,

Steven Owens

Well said Stevie....maybe we could take him out in June and leave him with old Hollister for a few weeks....that'll learn him..LOL!
Nathan

Thanks everybody you all have really helped me and more importantly havent got anoyed with all my questions This full trully is one of the more helpfull forums. And can you herp ride outside the wildhorse cabins? And im reading that paper right now.

You can herp right outside your cabin. You can herp in the mountains right behind the cabins.

Best Wishes,

SXO792

Definitely stay at one of her cabins. My group almost opted to stay at the campground because it was cheaper. The heat can be almost unbearable during the day (when you will rest) and especially hot due to the absorbtion of heat by all of the rocks. There are small lizards everywhere,morning and evening, though we seldom saw snakes. You will love the awesome alterna posters behind the front desk as well as the Western theme throughout.

Good luck

The last 2 years I made the trip to river road we stayed at Roy's place in Sanderson because we like giving him the business but I remember both trips leaving River Road at 2 a.m. and wishing I had a room at Wildhorse. That sure is a long ride back even after drinking a dozen or so Monster energy drinks. lol. Chris Drake