Shannon

Don't forget to start watching the Lost Maples SNA Fall Foliage Report from now until early-/mid-November. I don't have a good feeling that this is going to be any better a year than last year, but that's just me and I'm no arborist!

Even if it's another "so-so" year for the bigtooth maples at Lost Maples, they're always beautiful year-round, and the park's a gem of the Texas park system. Weekday visits are best unless you like a theme park atmosphere (lots of people on the trails, limited parking -- solitude can still be found if you take longer hikes and avoid the easily accessible ones near trailheads or camping areas).

I know it doesn't FEEL like fall, but the little cold front we had a couple weeks ago did prove Texas is once again capable of bringing cooler, more inviting temperatures.

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- Shannon Moore
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http://www.twitter.com/ageekgal

friolover

Just wanted to chime in and say Lost Maples is our favorite place to camp and hike in Texas. We usually go over Thanksgiving and/or Spring Break. We have found that weekends are too busy so we try to arrive on a Monday and leave on Friday morning. The Maple Trail, where most of the maples are, is pretty busy even during the week but on the East Trail and The West Trail (our personnal favorite) you may see only a few fellow hikers. We have seen glorious color on only 3 of our 5 Fall trips there. But it is a wonderful place with or without the color. Go prepared for any kind of weather. You may need thermals OR you could get by with shorts and a t-shirt. All on the same day! Small camp area (@ 30 sites) but cozy and those "dogs" you hear barking at night over the mountain?...Those are barking frogs! Really!!