Elissa

Hey all! I just stumbled across this incredible website tonight while I was looking for some trip ideas during late Dec-early Jan. Reading through this forum has been especially informative and amusing at times too. I moved to San Antonio about a year ago after spending 4 years in Colorado Springs (I sure do miss the mountains!!). Unfortunately I haven't really been able to explore anything down here yet. I had looked into spending a few nights backpacking in Big Bend, but I've never backpacked solo and have no intentions of trying it soon. Any suggestions? Does anyone know of any groups that are planning anything during that time frame? Also I'm curious about what people recommend as the must-do activities in Texas and the surrounding area. I'm unsure how long I'll be in Texas, so I want to prioritize

-Elissa

copuswalker

There is a group at simplehikersintexas@yahoo.com?? In yahoo groups?
They are out of Austin and do periodic hikes.
Big Bend is a great place to solo hike as it is fairly well traveled. Gotta run but will check in later!! Welcome.

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Shannon

It's no mountain, but Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (or "Erock" as many of us call it) is a unique, must-see attraction. It's a pink granite batholith and you can hike to the summit and around the base of the main dome and its sister granite domes and "peaks". If you rock climb, it's a terrific spot for that too. It's fresh on my mind because Justin and I are currently in Fredericksburg, staying the the Hangar Hotel -- a place we visit several times a year, and especially around this time of year (holiday lights and aviation, since the Hangar Hotel is on the Gillespie County Airport and we're aviation as well as outdoors enthusiasts.)

Fredericksburg is a wonderful town to check out. Really, any of the Hill Country towns are (Kerrville, Bandera, Llano, Marble Falls, Burnet). Of course Big Bend is a must-see, though it took us years to get ourselves out there!

I love Colorado. Used to go there at least once a year, when I still had family living there (near Redstone, CO). Rocky Mountain NP has a special place in my heart and I've been lobbying Justin to take me back there soon. I want to do an early summer trip and, eventually, also a snowshoeing trip.

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EMG

Me too. I am in Austin and am looking for a 2-night hike in BB over around Dec. 23-27. I was going to do it by myself but if you make any contacts with a group for that time, let me know!

The only hiking I've done is in NH's White Mtns, where my Dad lives. I am thinking of a Mt. Washington hike in January, after much more study and preparation. I took some nice screen savers at http://emgx.com/photos/NH%20October/index.php.

This all started while I was watching a John Denver special on PBS last week and began wondering what this Rocky Mountain high is all about. After reading some national parks books and reading online I have caught some kind of bug and am now planning a few trips. Big Bend is closest so it seemed like a logical first destination. I have never seen the Rockies though and am anxious to go.

ploddinTod

Wow, Mt. Washington in January is a mountaineering trip with ice ax and crampons. That's hardcore, but I guess you know what you're up against.

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JasonL

I'm wanting to move up North later in life, but for now you'll find me in the wet-lands, low-lands, bottoms, and amoungst the little people of the lowly lands. Kinda of working my way up so to speak. I'm thinking Four-C Neches Bluff will be a leap for me

ploddinTod

Of course, when you get the time see our state's 2 national parks (Big Bend and Guadalupe Mtns). But for closer weekend jaunts go to Lost Maples State Park and Hill Country State Natural Area. These parks will give you a sampling of the hill country of Texas, which is a very scenic part of the state.

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PloddinTod

Shannon

And if there's a drive up north planned anytime in the future, it's worth diverting to visit Palo Duro Canyon State Park, I think. I've missed that place, even though I nearly killed myself (hyperthermia) there due to stupidly starting a hike late and carrying 1 PINT of water... in the desert...at 11 AM...in August!

The 11 AM start time was no fun when it came to photography, either. That's why we have no good photos of Palo Duro. (To which the devil on my shoulder says, "All the more reason to schedule a return trip ASAP, my dear!")

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- Shannon Moore
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Purchases in the Wild Texas Gear Shop support our continued operation. Thank you!