ENCHANTED ROCK - Texas

Enchanted Rock is an amazing granite outcrop in the Texas "Hill Country" not far from Austin or San Antonio. If you travel to either of those places, make sure you take a few hours to go out and explore this amazing place.  JDJ Photo

There are excellent trail maps available at the visitors center that give a great graphic representation of the excellent trail system that exists in the park. You can simply conquer the rock via the summit trail or you can follow the 4 mile loop trail that circumnavigates that rock. JDJ Photo

I climbed the rock in December 2016 via the summit trail. I had just flown in from the snow and ice of Salt Lake City and was dressed warm. MISTAKE. It was warm and comfortable at Enchanted Rock. Take PLENTY of water because the summit climb will wind you. JDJ Photo

If you follow the summit trail, you will share the rock with dozens of others who have come to this amazing place to escape the hustle and bustle of Austin & San Antonio but no worries - the views get better with each hard earned step and you won't notice the others so much. JDJ Photo

Make sure that you look down as well as out into the Hill Country because there are beautiful plants and leaves everywhere in the cracks of the rock. JDJ Photo

Enchanted Rock is made up of interesting and beautiful pink granite with white, black and grey speckles. If you look at the Texas State Capitol in Austin you will see this type of rock used as a building material. Very pretty. JDJ Photo

This is "Turkey Peak" as seen from the summit trail which is really more of a "suggestion" over the rock as opposed to a trail. Turkey Peak is an interesting knob and worthy of a hike itself.
JDJ Photo

This view is looking North from the 1,825 foot summit of Enchanted Rock. To reach the summit you have to climb over 400 feet from the parking area. Does not seem like a lot but going straight up the rock will burn the thighs and calves. JDJ Photo

Lots of interesting Oaks that are literally covered with pale blue / grey lichens and have weird moss balls hanging from them. Must be some type of "Spanish Moss" variety. JDJ Photo 
Blue/Grey lichens growing on pink granite. JDJ Photo


Even though it was December, I was able to find a few flowers to photograph. JDJ Photo

Due to available moisture, there are all kinds of mosses and lichens on the rock. Especially on the north facing aspects that are better shaded. JDJ Photo

Close up of blue/grey lichens covering oak tree. JDJ Photo

Late afternoon sunlight through the oak leaves - JDJ Photo


On my hike I left the "Trail" so to speak and descended the rock directly via the North face. This was VERY steep and that much more difficult due to the moss and prickly pear but I accomplished my mission which was to leave other people behind. Didn't see ANY other people in this area. JDJ Photo

Interesting coloring and sharp points on this tree. JDJ Photo

Always interesting to see different types of vegetation in different parts of the Country. JDJ Photo

Always like to photograph different leaves of trees that don't grow in the Intermountain West where I live. JDJ Photo

Oak Leaf - JDJ Photo

Veritable jungle in areas of the north side of the rock. Notice the interesting hanging moss balls. Gotta be careful in the brush because there are lots of thorns and cacti hidden in the view     JDJ Photo

North face of rock I descended. It is way steeper than it looks.  JDJ Photo

View of Enchanted Rock from the North JDJ Photo

Found a little bit of fall color - JDJ Photo

Found a little stream with a chain of pools and followed it for a spell. Beautiful area. JDJ Photo

Interesting mix of desert plants and hard wood trees
JDJ Photo

The trails are well marked with these types of posts to help keep you on track. This one was on the Turkey Pass trail which I tied into in order to get back to my starting point. Notice the reflector. These trails are open until 10pm so good after dark hikes can be accomplished. 

Off trail hiking is permitted but discouraged because there could be an ugly ending if you are not careful, not to mention possibility of snakes and other varmints. That being said, the rock can be as challenging as you want to make it depending on the routes you choose. JDJ Photo

Interesting how the Cap Rock granite sloughs off the main sugarloaf of the rock in slabs and sheets. JDJ Photo

An awesome full moon rose over East Texas while I was hiking through Turkey Pass which made the experience that much better
JDJ Photo

Geology class is in session at Enchanted Rock - JDJ Photo 
You have to cross Sandy Creek on these blocks to get to and from the trailhead. I imagine that some ridiculous flash floods come through this area at times and totally submerge these blocks.
JDJ Photo

For more information on Enchanted Rock: Visit the Park virtually at their website

http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock


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