Under the Texan Sun

Today we went hiking at Lost Maples State Park. This park is supposed to be spectacular in the fall when the leaves on the maple trees change, but I bet it would be pretty spectacular any time of the year. First of all, the drive out there was super scenic. We drove from Fredericksburg through Kerrville to Medina, then made a right on Ranch Road 337. There we encountered a group of 50 motorcyclists, and for good reason. This road is like a roller coaster with its constant rolling hills and steep curves. It offers sweeping gorgeous views of the Hill Country, plenty of creeks and lakes and lots of wildflowers, not to mention the plentiful picturesque ranches and country homes you pass along the way.

Driving through Texas Hill Country

Awesome views off of back country roads in Texas.

Texan views

At the city of Vanderpool you make a right on Ranch Road 187 and 3 miles later you're in Lost Maples. The park offers two main hiking trails, the East and West trails, both just over 4.5 miles long. We chose the East Trail, with steeper climbs, but better views.

Hiking at Lost Maples State Park  

This park offers so much natural beauty that I'm pretty sure I ran out of memory on my camera I took so many pictures. I would venture to say that the park rivals the Buffalo in terms of  bluffs and canyons, and at times I could have been told I was at Yosemite and wouldn't have argued. The climbs were just under 300 feet in elevation, but aside from getting to the top of the ridge and back down, the trail is pretty flat.

The climb to the top

The view of the valley where we started our hike

Views from the ridge

We did the trail clockwise, so the later portion ran in the canyon along a creek bed. Sam and Chloe really enjoyed playing in the water after the hot hike.

Hiking along the creek bed

Sam and Chloe explored the creek beds

Sky and the Monkey Rock

If you're in the Hill Country, we would definitely recommend this park. There are two primitive walk-in campsites, one in a wooded setting and one by a lake with several bluffs, as well as full hook up sites. 

More pictures of the park and the drive out there can be found here.

Happy hiking,

M.