Medina, TX
November 6, 2017
Today, Lost Maples hosts several groves of these beautiful trees which are relics from trees that flourished during the last glacial period...c.110,000-c.11,700 years ago. These trees were the reason for our visit...it is fall after all !
The park is designated a natural area rather than a state park which means the primary focus is the maintenance and protection of the property's natural state.
Canyon walls boast the area's limestone bedrock. The kiosk below explains the process of how new limestone, called travertine, is formed.
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| Wild grape vines... |
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| A side hike to Monkey Rock... |
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| Vines of these red leaves were common. Maybe poison ivy as some had three leaves, but a lot had four or five leaves. |
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| The water was crystal clear. |
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| We enjoyed meandering over and around the rocks on the trail. |
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| The water dripping from the wall was like a sprinkle of rain...so cool ! |
Until next time...
HAPPY TRAILS !
I've never heard of Big-Tooth Maples. Thanks for the information:) Beautiful colors. Glad you stood under Monkey Rock for perspective. That is one big "monkey!"
ReplyDeleteWe had not heard of them either Pam until I started our research for things to do here. Glad we visited in the fall !
DeleteWhat a great share! I know there are places other than New England to see the fall colors, but Lost Maples Natural Area has to be a rare treat. Would like to wonder those trails too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeff! I think you and Fran would really enjoy it here...it sure is quiet and peaceful! We only met a few people on the trails. We all spoke in hushed whispers...kinda funny and respectful of the nature that surrounded us!
DeleteHi Gay! What a beautiful area. We have spent a lot of time in the Hill Country and have never heard of this area. Thanks for sharing. Howard and I will be staying a few days at South Llano State Park and would like to meet you guys somewhere for lunch if you are available. Arriving November 22nd, leaving the 26th.
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila ! You and Howard would love Lost Maples...pups on leash are permitted too. We would love to meet you for lunch, but our younger son, daughter-in -law and our 15 month old grandson, who we have not met yet, are flying in from SC on the 19 for a week. They leave the 26th. If by chance you are in the area longer, we don’t leave until Dec 1.
DeleteHi Gay! I hope yawl enjoy your time with family! How wonderful to see your grandson for the first time. I will let you know if we stay longer than what we have scheduled. Enjoy!
DeleteThanks Sheila!
DeleteSuch delicate beauty captured here. Love the transition from red rock to red leaves.
ReplyDeleteIt’s a beautiful park Jodee. Quite the change of scenery for us...
DeleteYou certainly caught fall in action. Love the color of the leaves. You did a great job of capturing it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeri!
DeleteGorgeous! I remember someone telling us that this was a beautiful park when we were in TX, but we never made it there. Looks like you hit it at the right time of year!
ReplyDeleteWe were impressed with the park Lisa. It is small and this time of year reaches capacity quickly and closes for the rest of the day. We chose a Monday and the crowds were slim...yippee! Next week should be peak for color, but we had rain & wind yesterday with more expected on the week-end so we didn’t wait. We were not disappointed, but then it doesn’t take a lot to put a smile on our faces!
DeleteOne of my favorite state parks in the fall in Texas... you get the Big Tooth Maple in Guadeloupe National Park as well... hike the Mckittrick Canyon for best colotrs...
ReplyDeleteThanks John and Sharon...I will be checking that out!
DeleteLooks beautiful, who know we might heed that way next year :) And Joe looks really good too!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful MonaLiza. Medina Highpoint Resort is a good location to explore from. We love the park...more on that later.
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