Carl's Blog

I’ve been thinking of doing this for a year or so and finally decide to give it a try.  So I bought a tent and all the supplies from BassPro and started planning a summer trip.

I choose to visit Lost Maples State Park because the name drew my attention.  I will have to return in the fall to really see the color changes of the trees, but for this trip I will just have to enjoy the sounds of the Sabinal River and the creeks that feed it.

I booked my trip during a full moon so I could get a few good pictures without all the extra city lights at home.

I need to learn how to use my telescope better so I can see the other celestial bodies.  I tried to get a picture of Jupiter and Saturn but couldn’t get my telescope to focus correctly.  Next time I will need to go during a new moon so there is no extra light.

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On day 1, I hiked the Eastern Trail.  Most of it was very easy, but there was a pretty steep ascent after the “grotto”.

This is the area called the grotto. It is an open air “cave” with water dripping from stalactites. There is also enough moisture that ferns can grow on the ceiling.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.

My hike began at the Eastern Trail Head, using the Maple Trail before connecting back to the main trail. A good majority of this way is accessible by the ranger’s trucks, so the path is wide and not too rocky.

Going along the trail past Monkey Rock you will find the first primitive camping area, which means their is a composting toilet but no running water or electricity. Not far from the camping area you will see the grotto. That might be an interesting spot to visit at night when all the day use hikers have left.

I wish I could say that all the “steep” parts of the trail ahead looked like the picture to the left, but this is the only section that looks like stairs. Overall its about an 1100 foot ascent to the top of the hill with about 5 switch backs that are not as structured as the one shown. But after all that struggle you get to have some amazing views of the other hills around. And if you head toward the overlook area you can see back down toward the main camping area.

At this point I’ve been hiking the trail for about 4 hours. I had planned on being back to my camp site by noon; that didn’t happen. Another 1.5 hours down less steep switch backs, but much more lose rock am back at “home”.

Even at the main camp site you can catch some pictures of your local neighbors while you enjoy a rest and a good book. So ends Day 1.