|
| | | |
| |
|
| Hiking | 4.16 Miles |
442 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.16 Miles | 2 Hrs 10 Mns | | 2.00 mph |
| 442 ft AEG | 5 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | After touring the wonderful Pioneer Museum in Fredericksburg and a quick lunch at the Pharmacy, we drove out to the Enchanted Rock Park for a small hike. It was a lovely day for it with a blue bonnet sky and a breeze. Sadly, the wildflower season was a disappointment and the biggest bunch of Blue Bonnets that we got close to was in the dry bed of a creek, where we temporarily lost our way.
We paid our fee and the ranger suggested we take the Turkey Pass Trail if we didn't mind some big steps. We drove to the parking and geared up for our adventure. We started through the trees on this side of the creek. We encountered a few hikers coming back as we got started. In a little while we would end up in the mostly dry and granitey creek bed. This is where we would see our biggest batch of Bonnets and a couple Cardinals plus a somewhat plump and posing lizard. However, we did end up on a detour where we crossed some narrow water a couple times before throwing in the towel and going back to near where we started in the creek bed.
Wendy took a trail up and I took one on the level; hers was the right choice which was evident by its width and smoothness. We did question that an easy hike such as this would take you into the creek bed. Oh well, we had a good payoff for our detour. It was a lot easier walking above the creek and in the shade of the enormous and beautifully shaped trees. We would also see bits of flora from time to time including the new lime-green colored growth on the Prickly Pear cactus.
Soon we would head north using some previously placed rocks to get across the small creek. And now we were getting into more of the intense geology of the area and some more wildflowers too. We hiked a little higher into the trees and across some more water before ascending on the Base Trail. Heading west and being higher we got better views of this incredible terrain.
We came to Turkey Pass Trail that passes by Turkey Peak. It is an actual peak. Turkey Trail passes between Enchanted Rock and Turkey Peak & Freshman Mountain. We also encountered the "hoo doo" area which is always a fun thing to see. We continue to watch the Vultures soar high in the air. There were at least 1/2 dozen putting on a show. A couple landed so I zoomed in for a couple photos; but they were pretty far away so not the best photos. We would see a lot of Vultures during my time in this part of Texas.
Our next section was the one of many cracks of this exfoliated granite dome. The rock represents a geological phenomenon known as a “batholith” and was created 1.1 billion years ago when molten magma cooled and crystallized into granite far beneath the Earth's surface.
The cracks had grass and ferns growing in them as well as some flora. We also finally got to see some Texas Paintbrush here. As we continued down we saw some people on the dome. It looks like a fun climb; even for me.
The scenery was fun to inhale as we came off the mountain. In the distance you could see what we call a Rim here. There are so many trees and tall brush, it's hard to see much of the land masses. The steep steps had some erosion but very manageable. Soon we came to the Frog Pond which we would hike around and cross a bridge. We were on the home stretch now but had to cross some water again.
EVERYONE would enjoy hiking in this area.
Video 1: [ youtube video ]
Video 2: [ youtube video ] |
|
Wildflowers Observation Light
Also a variety of some yellow flowers that I couldn't ID. |
|
| _____________________
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
