![]() ![]() Being properly prepared for this darkness is key and so flashlights are strongly encouraged. While you never go underground on your self-guided tour of the cave you get the feeling of being underground at several points as the light is cut off from the surface. Created from segmented granite rocks the cave starts close to the summit of the rock on the NW side and extends down several hundred feet to a point on the lower NW side. One of the key features of Enchanted Rock is the large "cave" located on the north western side of the main dome. There are many trails to follow to scale the dome and much smaller granite outcroppings which can make for a great days exploration. The park offers our nations’ largest pink granite batholith which rises 425 feet above the surrounding terrain to elevation of 1,825 feet above sea level. And while there may have not been towering spires, it possessed it’s own calm beauty that made the trip and the hike worth taking.Enchanted Rock State Natural Area which is located 17 miles NE of Fredericksburg, Tx on RR-965 is a wonderful place to take a family, a group or just on an individual basis especially during the winter months when the Texas heat has been known to cook an egg on the rocks surface. Fortunately, they hit the Loop Trail which runs completely around the dome and enjoyed some different scenery on their way back.Įnchanted Rock is proof that there is hiking in Texas. It turns out, they went down the “wrong” way. I was a little surprised when I got to the bottom and beat them back to the trailhead. Joan and her sister headed down about 10 minutes before me, while I hung around taking photos and soaking in the views. ![]() Because there is no path - nor were there cairns to mark the way - you have to rely on your own keen sense of direction to retrace your steps. We persisted, and found it near the western shoulder of the dome. The top of Enchanted Rock is so rounded, that it was challenging to find the USGS benchmark at the summit. On this frosty winter day, the vernal pools were glazed with a frosty coat of ice. Do not step in the pools or disturb the plants or wildlife. These pools are formed from pockets in the granite, and support small and very fragile ecosystems that take decades to develop. Climbing “The Rock” is roughly equivalent to climbing the stairs in a 30- to 40-story building, and while it’s not particularly dangerous or difficult, I would label this a moderately difficult hike if for no other reason than to warn away non-hikers.Īt the top, the Rock levels off to a large, fairly flat top dotted with small vernal pools. Just keep heading “up” and you’ll be going in the right direction. You descend stairs to a small creek, then follow the signs as the trail picks it’s way up towards the base of the pink granite dome.Īt the 0.2 mile mark, the Summit Trail essentially disappears in the solid granite of Enchanted Rock. ![]() The trail starts at the end of the parking lot. It really does feel like the proverbial middle of nowhere. We headed north from San Antonio towards Fredricksburg - a small town with German heritage - and at 18 miles away - the closest to Enchanted Rock. I had never been hiking in Texas, and I was eager to explore. ![]() We hiked the Summit Trail at Enchanted Rock on a recent trip to Texas. When to go: Sept.-MayI can’t say whether it’s haunted by ghosts or possesses supernatural energy, but I can say that at the summit of this massive granite dome, I felt grounded. ![]()
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