![]() ![]() Fortunately, they hit the Loop Trail which runs completely around the dome and enjoyed some different scenery on their way back.Įnchanted Rock is proof that there is hiking in Texas. It turns out, they went down the “wrong” way. I was a little surprised when I got to the bottom and beat them back to the trailhead. Joan and her sister headed down about 10 minutes before me, while I hung around taking photos and soaking in the views. Because there is no path - nor were there cairns to mark the way - you have to rely on your own keen sense of direction to retrace your steps. We persisted, and found it near the western shoulder of the dome. The top of Enchanted Rock is so rounded, that it was challenging to find the USGS benchmark at the summit. On this frosty winter day, the vernal pools were glazed with a frosty coat of ice. Do not step in the pools or disturb the plants or wildlife. These pools are formed from pockets in the granite, and support small and very fragile ecosystems that take decades to develop. ![]() Climbing “The Rock” is roughly equivalent to climbing the stairs in a 30- to 40-story building, and while it’s not particularly dangerous or difficult, I would label this a moderately difficult hike if for no other reason than to warn away non-hikers.Īt the top, the Rock levels off to a large, fairly flat top dotted with small vernal pools. Just keep heading “up” and you’ll be going in the right direction. You descend stairs to a small creek, then follow the signs as the trail picks it’s way up towards the base of the pink granite dome.Īt the 0.2 mile mark, the Summit Trail essentially disappears in the solid granite of Enchanted Rock. The trail starts at the end of the parking lot. ![]() ![]() It really does feel like the proverbial middle of nowhere. We headed north from San Antonio towards Fredricksburg - a small town with German heritage - and at 18 miles away - the closest to Enchanted Rock. I had never been hiking in Texas, and I was eager to explore. We hiked the Summit Trail at Enchanted Rock on a recent trip to Texas. Numerous other trails offer great views of Enchanted Rock without climbing it.įamily Friendly: Kids will love climbing this huge dome and playing on the rocks and boulders en route.When to go: Sept.-MayI can’t say whether it’s haunted by ghosts or possesses supernatural energy, but I can say that at the summit of this massive granite dome, I felt grounded. The trail is not technical, but is strenuous compared to most hikes nearby. A 0.6 mile trail leads from the main parking area to the summit, climbing about 400 feet as it goes. Short Hike: Enchanted Rock is the highlight of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 95 miles west of Austin, 18 miles north of Fredericksburg, and 24 miles south of Llano, Texas. Enchanted Rock is surrounded by a network of trails that offer a wide variety of views of the beautiful dome, but the best way to appreciate Enchanted Rock is to climb to the top! The climb is a lot of fun and not technical, and the summit views go on forever. The "Enchanted" part of it's name comes from spiritual powers that the Tonkawa, Apache, and Comanche tribes believed the rock possessed. It is the largest pink granite monadnock in the USA, towering about 425 feet high above the park to a height of 1,825 feet. The massive granite dome known as Enchanted Rock is perhaps the premier feature in Texas Hill Country. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |