Fredericksburg is in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. In comparison to the uninspiring Gulf Coastal Plain and the Big Bend Chihuahuan Desert terrain, the Hill Country reminds me of the Sierra foothills in California, with undulating hills and live oak trees. One big difference, well maybe more than one, is that there are fences everywhere you go in Texas and prickly pears are ubiquitous. Someone told us that over 95% of Texas is private property and the fences are there to keep it that way; you do not enter private property.
Live oaks on the hillsides with a fence in the foreground.
Today we drove through the Hill Country along scenic rivers and through historic towns to Lost Maples State Park. The park's bigtooth maples aren't really lost - they're survivors from the ice age that have adapted to this area. As we learned in Big Bend, during the Ice Age, or Pleistocene Era, the earth's climate was much cooler. This colder climate allowed maple trees to grow further south, and they were widespread throughout the southwestern part of North America. When the ice retreated and the climate warmed, much of this area became too hot for the maples trees to survive, except this stand of uncommon Uvalde bigtooth maples. Apparently during the fall, these maples turn vivid reds and yellows, just as in New England.
At least someone found a humorous way to decorate their fence.
For about a quarter of a mile, on both sides of the road, each fencepost had a boot.
When we arrived at Lost Maples State Park we decided to eat our lunch before we started our hike. We sat outside at a picnic table but within 5 minutes it began to rain - hard. We finished our lunch in the car and waited for the rain to stop. We were just on the verge of leaving when the rain let-up and we decided to go for it.
We decided on the East Trail, plus we added a short side trip to an overlook, 5.29 miles.
We were not dissuaded by this sign, that's the kind of challenge we were looking for.
The trail began along the course of the Sabinal River through a limestone canyon.
The water was so clear you could barely see it as it flowed over stones that we had to use to cross the river.
Previous erosion in the limestone canyon walls.
A mile and a half into the hike we came upon this sign. The trail map that we had was marked "steep" at this point so we knew what was coming.
This probably doesn't look very steep in the "flattened" iPone photo, but it was like climbing 20 flights of stairs to the canyon ridge.
The trail at the top of the canyon was pretty flat but also muddy from the recent rain. We did take the trail to the overlook but the first overlook wasn't much of a view. We did see a very large white-tailed deer on the way, though.
And this tree was blooming pink on the 1st day of spring.
The second overlook was much better. You can see the descending trail in the middle of the picture, going from left to right.
The Sabinal River at the base of the canyon.
The trail down. No steps but muddy and slippery.
At the base of the trail was a wilderness camping site. You might be able to see some campers, at middle right, who were packing up to leave.
A spring-fed pool at the base of the trail...
and another part of the river that we had to cross.
Scenic roads through the various areas of Texas have specific designations.
We have seen this type of ranch entrance before. In this case, the Faulkner Ranch main gate, called "Heavens Gate"...
(gate #1 - at the Falukner Ranch)
a second gate down the road, this one called "Heavens Doorstep"...
(gate #2)
and a 3rd gate. Each gate is less elaborate than the one before.
Limestone is the dominate building material. Here are the pretentious gates to another ranch.
Someone had something in mind with this gate, I just don't know what it was.
Even private homes will have elaborate limestone gates.
Many homes are built of limestone.
This poor animal demonstrates a problem with all the fences. This sheep, we think that he is a Barbary Sheep, somehow got caught outside the fence, along the road. As we drove by he tried to run into the trees but the fence stopped him. So down the fence-line he galloped, desperately looking for a way to escape.
Here is some information about Barbary Sheep in this area.
Loved the booted fence and elaborate gates! I am very impressed that you hiked that trail. It looks pretty strenuous to me! Judy S.
ReplyDelete