HillHopper

Hey guys,

Well, a month ago, my girlfriend decides she wanted to go camping at Garner again( 3rd time in a year there ). Anyways, Guadelupe river SP and surrounding area was all booked up for the weekend of April 18 19 20 so we found a spot at Garner.

Anyhooo... Does anyone have any updates of the water level? I know I can call the park rangers, but I also know as campers, we look at things as "half full" instead of "half empty". The Garner people might say that the weather has not been so great lately and water low. Well, coming from Houston, Texas, low clear beautiful river water in the Hill Country is A LOT nicer than Houston's humid, misquito infested, overcrowded, big city. Not to mention if I camp anywhere near Houston, it'll be flat and any Houston river, no matter how big has bayou water!

I'd rather rough it in at Garner, rain or shine.

(Some of you guys might know me from when I posted my last trip to Garner and got lost on a hike on the backside of Old Baldy. All I know was that we walked right into a barbed wire fence. I freaked out when it was not on the park map and as far as I could see....nothing.. But i got a GPS this time )

Any help is appreciated.

HillHopper

Nothing? They said it suppose to storm, but you how that goes with Texas weather. I would rather ask someone that is in the area.

4everfrio

They haven't had much rain. The river flow is way down from its normal level. I believe the Frio is running about 35 to 40 feet/second. Normally it is around 70 to 75. Give us a report when you get back. If you don't get lost. I'm bad. Really, have a great time. ~~~~

HillHopper

Okay guys... I'm back. On our way out of town from Houston, the weather was horrible, with tornado watched eveywhere and the water level rising, but we left anyway. Halfway to San Antonio, the skies clear up beautifully.

We camped Saturday night, Sunday, and left on Monday.

The weather was great. The evening we got to Garner went pretty smooth. There were some people, but looked like some canceled due to the weather on their way in. It was interesting that one or two park Rangers were having more fun than us. They kept stopping by to chat and we gave them some beer so that they can drink once they were off the clock.

The following morning we cooked breakfast for our active day. We hiked all the trails and was very nice with the cool breeze. The day was gorgeous and we really did not broke a sweat.

The temperture was high 40's at night with mid 70's during the day. We were okay with a small heater in our tents, although my new first up canopy and wind curtain stayed warner.

The water was low at most of the park, but still nice and deep at the dam part. the water was pretty deep on the tree rope swing side. i was snorkeling and could tell the water was deep.

My only complaint was that a group of guys a little younger than me (i'm 31) came in from the RV park accross the river and started swimming, yelling and cursing loudly. My buddy and I were at our truck and our girlfriends were sun tanning, laying along the river in swim suits. From a distance, we could see the group of guys moving in, trying to get closer and closer, to check out our girlfriends and to get a peepshow. They had no idea we were there and thought the ladies were alone. So, my buddy and I started walking towards them and it didn't click to them who we were. So we continued closer and when within hearing distence, we he said to our women, "Hey baby!" here's your sun tan lotion. Then we turned and starting walking towards them. I don't know if was my scarry looking buddy or me, "walking" towards them..... with my "Garner Sate Park walking stick" I bought from the gift store, but they were spooked and dispersing.

Hmmmm.... What else can a heavy, thick, blunt, sturdy walking stick be used for other than walking? hehe....