Caprock Canyons SP

[bdann]

Anyone here been to Caprock Canyons State Park?  Any highlights I shouldn't miss?  

I'm headed there this weekend, in lieu of a longer trip to BIBE (couldn't get the days off I wanted).  Should be a nice bit of solitude (hopefully), the lady that took my reservation said that no other sites were reserved in the area I'm staying in.

[SHANEA]

Great state park.  Been a long time since I was there.  We  did the long loop trail as a day hike.

[SHANEA]

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=lm5prmd.8ao3yq5p&x=0&y=djgtdf

[bdann]

From what I've read, they have 90+ miles of trail now and some still under construction.  That includes 62 miles of ex-railway converted to trail.  I'm going solo, should be fun, will post pics when I get back.

[bdann]

Thanks for sharing the photos Shane!  Nice pics, cool Jeep.

[Vince T]

I was there last in 1998.
I love that entire area...caprock is such a neat place, I think.

I was by myself the last time I was there...just hiked around without following any trails.

The erosion features, the layers, gypsum, sand, red dirt, strange formations...very neat spot.

I have a perfect book for your trip if you can get it delivered in time.

It's called Caprock Canyonlands.
Here's a link -
http://www.utexas.edu/utpress/books/flocan.html

Have a great trip.

Vince

[bdann]

Thanks Vince, I'll look for the book locally before I go.

[SHANEA]

cool Jeep.

 :(  :(  :(   It was a sad day when I got rid of the Scrambler CJ-8.  Of course, by now it would have a Brazillion miles on it.

[mountaindocdanny]

Caprock is a great place and fortunately only about 80 miles from my house! Lots of nice walks around through there.  The trail mileage total is a little deceptive as 65 miles of it is a one way rail to trail that lies outside the state park boundary, but is administered by the state park. Palo Duro is a little more scenic in my opinion, but Caprock is virtually deserted while Palo Duro can get relatively crowded at times. Lots of wildlife and interesting areas of eroded draws in the east parts of the park and spectacular canyons in the west. Has a couple of small backcountry campsites a little less than a mile walk in. If you are car camping I recomend the South Prong Tent Camping Area. Great views. No water or hook ups means that you may be the only one there. Be sure to walk the Upper Canyon Loop Trail. A drive on CR 29 along the north boundary of the park is pretty. Could probably do it in a sedan, but something with a little clearance would be easier. Avoid it if it's wet. Lake Theo in the park is a sad little lake, but does have some fishing. The park road is a fun little bike trip, but does have some rather steep grades in places. Enjoy your trip. In all probability you'll be sharing the parks 13,000 acres with very few other people
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4506_079l.pdf

[bdann]

In all probability you'll be sharing the parks 13,000 acres with very few other people

That's what I'm hoping for!  I reserved a site in the North Prong primitive area.

[bdann]

Very nice park indeed!
I camped in the North Prong primitive area, very nice views all around.  Lots of hills to scramble up and then bust your butt on the way back down.  The park was pretty empty, at least where I was.  There seemed to be more activity in the developed camping areas, lots of RVs.
One mildly annoying thing - the constant drone of jet airliners passing high overhead.
Nice weather, cool and breezy Friday when I arrived.  The wind stopped Friday afternoon and the night and early morning was quite chilly, but good sleeping weather.  It warmed up fast Saturday morning and was getting pretty windy when I left Saturday afternoon.
The hot showers are great!
Here are some pics from my roaming around:

My camp:


Typical terrain:


Interesting rock formations:


There are contrails in nearly every picture I took:


Here are a few more: http://s79.photobucket.com/albums/j131/bdann/Caprock/

[SHANEA]

Like the hat...

[SHANEA]

and the coffee pot....

[randell]

We went way back in May of 2000.  Didn't document the trip very well, though.

[bdann]

Like the hat...

I actually bought that hat in March, at the gift shop in the Chisos Mtn. Lodge.