Backpacking Lost Maples SP - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

ploddinTod · 10-06-2003, 09:45 PM

How would you rate this park as a backpacking destination? Of course, I would like to be there mid-week during leaf peeping season. My main question centers around the backcountry trail system, campsites, and water availability (to be filtered).

Shannon · 10-07-2003, 01:13 PM

Quote:

How would you rate this park as a backpacking destination? Of course, I would like to be there mid-week during leaf peeping season. My main question centers around the backcountry trail system, campsites, and water availability (to be filtered).

I'll respond, though all my experienced at the park thus far have been as a day hiker, not a backpacker or overnight camper at the primitive sites.

There are 10 miles of trails in the park, all well marked and with occasional access to naturally-occurring streams and some ponds (as shown on the park map, courtesy of TPWD). Like you stated, I would treat the water in ANY state park as a matter of course.

If you like solitude or anything approaching it, I'd go for one of the primitive campsites that is off the main trails, otherwise you will have a fair amount of foot traffic passing by your camp during day use hours as folks explore the park to observe the fall color. I've never hiked all the way to it to vouche for its view and ambiance

but Primitive Site "B" looks promising; I can speak highly of the scenic overlook near site "B" ("near" on the map, anyway; view from overlook is shown in Justin's photo of me hiking there in the mid-late 90's).

Hope this helps... Lost Maples is a terrific park year-round and I'm hoping we are in for a prime fall foliage season (we're a bit overdue!) Fingers crossed....

10-07-2003, 01:26 PM

Thanks for the info WT. I have been promising myself to go to LM every year for several, now I will definitely be going in the next few weeks.

Doesn't sound like much for true back-country backpacking though. What recommendations would you have that are relatively near to Austin/SA? Looking for 30+ miles of trail to make an overnighter of it. I am certainly not an avid adventurer (read: just have put in the time), so am not aware of anything closer than Big Bend, Guadalupe Mtns, or Ouchita that would have a good elevation change and trail system.

Thanks again and thanks in advance for more help.

Shannon · 10-07-2003, 02:29 PM

Be sure to check the Lost Maples Fall Folige Report... there won't be any appreciable color change for a little while yet. We need the temperatures in the Hill Country to get a bit lower.

In answer to your question, we are a little sparse on the backpacking opportunities here in South & Central Texas, I'm sad to say. However, if you don't mind the trek out to Bandera, Texas, I'd say you cannot go wrong with Hill Country State Natural Area. I know it seems like it's my answer to every, "Where should I consider going?" question but it keeps fitting all the criteria -- lots of trails (36 miles; some is hiker/backpacker only; the rest is mixed use, equestrian/bicycle/hiking, but plenty of room for everyone), solitude, minimal light pollution, great scenic views, plenty of wildlife (snakes, songbirds, eastern cottontail, armadillo, raccoon, wild turkey, etc.)

Here are some of the non-federal land statewide backpacking options, compiled by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. I haven't visited most of those, so I can't compare them to Big Bend National Park (where I spent a week camping & hiking and wanted to stay there forever...) or Hill Country SNA.

-- aside --
I am eagerly awaiting the public opening of Government Canyon SNA -- 8,201 acres of beauty in far NW San Antonio. The trail system will be the most extensive in the region, boasting 41 miles of trails! Read about a 1999 mountain biking club's experiences riding the single-track trails they'd recently helped create -- Government Canyon Story.

According to a July Austin American-Statesman article, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service has hopes of purchasing another 855 acres of land adjoining the SNA to serve as further buffer and conservation area.

10-07-2003, 03:03 PM

Ah yes, Bandera. Mtn biked/camped there a few years back.
Good country.

ploddinTod · 10-07-2003, 03:59 PM

Thanks, Shannon. Perhaps a long, all day hike would be more appropriate to explore all the nooks and crannies of the trail system. But, on second thought, maybe if I take it real slow, (and I usually do, hence, the name) I'll be able to squeeze in an overnight stay. There's nothing like peeling back the tent flap in the morning to the sound of songbirds and the sight of low hanging mist in the canyons. Do I need reservations for the backcountry primitive campsites as well?

Shannon · 10-07-2003, 05:10 PM

I think you'll have a grand time doing the "comfortable exploration of the park's trails and secrets, followed by a nice dinner and rest back at a primitive campsite." Makes me wish I didn't have so much to do around the ol' computer right now!

Reservations are required for all the campsites. You can reserve online, or if that gives you any troubles reservations can also be made by calling TPWD's Central Reservation System at (512)389-8900 from 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, 9 AM to noon on Saturdays. (TPWD is hoping to get a toll-free number for reservations, but the budget's not been kind. A legislated increase in park fees beginning January 1, 2004 may alleviate the crunch somewhat... albeit increasing usage fees in TX state parks.)

copuswalker · 10-10-2003, 07:24 AM

Great spot to hike and camp. I was there late fall and was the only person to camp at the lake/river. I saw 3 people on the trail and really enjoyed it. Water is availiable at the camp and on the back loop. Clean and cool.
I setup camp at he river area and day hiked the back loop. The following day I hiked out. This was a short trip after hiking the Hill Country Styate Natural Area.
This time of year may be a little busier with the foliage. Good Luck, Mark

Cube · 10-27-2003, 11:59 AM

Howdy,

I posted on the Lost Maples thread in the Parks section, so I won't repeat the information.

I will say that it was pretty full on Saturdy, 10/25/03. There were at least two other Scout troops and plenty of just plain folks. If you plan to go mid-week, you shouldn't run into the same kind of traffic.

Good Day to all.

11-06-2003, 08:58 PM

I just got back from LM. Primitive site B does look promising on paper but the ground is pretty uneven and rocky, I didn't see any good places to pitch a tent.

Any good sites on the West side?

Dave

copuswalker · 11-06-2003, 10:36 PM

I always camped in C By the river/lake. The other sites seemed bad to me/ Gotta go sorry