7/15/2023 0 Comments Lost maples state park![]() ![]() I cannot say this any different: TAKE THE TRAIL TO THE LEFT. ![]() Once at the top, the trail flattens out, the trail splits. Lost Maples State Natural Area Scenic Overlook Shortly after leaving the Grotto the trail has a hairpin turn and gets pretty steep climbing 400 feet over 0.25 of a mile with as much as a 30% grade. In Texas speak that is steep. Again supported by the natural spring water seeping from the rocks. Along the trail the rock overhangs providing cover to the ferns, mosses and other plants. I continued on the trail to the Grotto, the second point of interest on East Trail. ![]() However other hikers claimed it cool to see the unique limestone outcrop with plants growing on the cliff walls, supported by water that seeps from underground. The first point of interest that is a short detour is Monkey Rock, which I opted not to do. Of course, why not? Let’s take it! The trail is aptly named with lots of trees and fauna to observe. The East Trail follows along the Sabinal River, which you cross a couple of times on the hike. At the start of East Trail you are offered the alternative Maples Trail which parallels the main East trail for about a ½ mile. Which lets be real, I am more of a guy who likes to find spots with great views. I also, unknowingly but beneficially, decided to hike counterclockwise starting from the parking lot farther from the main trailhead. After a little research I found this offered the most scenic overlooks. I started out my hike on the 3.1 miles East Trail. The drive takes you north on highway 16 to highway 337 west, then on to the small town of Vanderpool, TX. This drive is part of the Texas Swiss Alps Scenic Byway, one of the top three scenic drives in Texas. The drive was a nice preparation for the scenery to be found in Lost Maples State Natural Area. Photo from TPWD Lost Maples State Natural Area home page.ĭriving to Lost Maples State Natural Areaīefore I get into the hiking part lets talk about my drive from Bandera to Lost Maples State Natural Area. The park offers 10 miles of hiking trails, and I chose to hit up about 4.7 miles of those trails on the East Trail Loop. The thing that Lost Maples is most known for is the fall foliage, one of the only spots in the Texas to see the full color changes. It is also located very near the very popular Garner State Park. While it is not a State Park, it is still managed by TPWD and has many facilities throughout the area. Lost Maples State Natural Area has been on Emily’s list to visit for a while, so naturally when I told her I was going she was extremely jealous. Once I decided to go to Lost Maples State Natural Area it was a short run from my temporary home in Bandera, Texas. Enjoy his tales from Lost Maples State Natural Area in Texas! So I asked him to get out of his comfort zone and write a few posts for the blog. We share a love for the outdoors and he has been lucky enough to go to some places that I have not visited. Davy Jones is our guest writer and he is also my dad! He still calls Texas “home” but has been living in an RV traveling for the last year. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |