Not Exactly a Mountain....

[SA Bill]

...more like a ridge!

I stayed at Lost Maples SNA last night and did some hiking this morning with the new pack to see how it would do. Seemed to do okay loaded with 30 pounds of gear. Not sure if I can handle 40 pounds up to the S Rim.

I hiked up to the overlook on the East Trail which gave me some flat land hiking plus some climbing to get up to the ridge. I hiked around on top for a while and then headed back down to get some downhill experience. It was hot and I was huffing but I handled the exertion okay...didn't pass out or throw up at all!!   

Anyway, it's not the S Rim but here's a pic from on top of the ridge, looking up the valley.
  Bill

[randell]

Wow, that's a cool pic.  It reminds me of the mountains in the Eastern US.

[Goldilocks]

Sometimes in Dallas it's hard to remember that not all of Texas is flat!  Very pretty pic, Bill.  Thank you!

[riverrat]

I've stood in that same spot a couple of times but never have I seen it so green! Thanks for a reminder of why I love Lost Maples!  (That little hike up is a bit rough for these old knees anymore.) I'm curious...did you backtrack going down or continue across to the downhill portion by The Ponds? That trail going down is rough because of the rocks but slow and easy'll do it. I've watched while fully loaded backpackers have tried going up but retreated about 1/3 of the way into and opted to stay at The Ponds. Couldn't really blame them for that decision...

 

[chisos_muse]

Hey Bill! I love that shot!    Did you by chance climb up that killer mile of boulders?

[BigBendHiker]

Hi SA Bill!
Thanks for posting!  My son and I have campsite reservations there the last weekend of September.  Seeing that pic makes me look forward to the trip.


BBH

[Roy]

No, it's not the South Rim, but that's actually a pretty steep stretch of trail; good spot to check out the legs.  And a nice pic from the top

[SA Bill]

Thanks all!
There was almost no one in the park last night and this morning. It's definitely very green up there right now, even though it was very hot.

I hiked down to the ponds and then went up the steep East trail section from there to get to the ridge top...so yes, I climbed the "killer mile of boulders" Muse. After a while on top, I retreated back down the "killer mile of boulders". I only slid twice going down...but managed not to fall.

I bugged out at Noon today when the temp was already at 90°!!

Here's a pic of the mirror quality of the ponds.
  Bill

[kmck]

That's a pretty picture of a pretty park.  Love the mountain layers. 

[BigBendHiker]

Thanks all!
I hiked down to the ponds and then went up the steep East trail section from there to get to the ridge top...so yes, I climbed the "killer mile of boulders" Muse. After a while on top, I retreated back down the "killer mile of boulders". I only slid twice going down...but managed not to fall.

Hi SA Bill;
My son and I will be there later this month.  What trails do you recommend?  The killer mile of boulders sounds intriguing...


BBH

[riverrat]

SA Bill, I don't know why I assumed you went up via the Maple Trail. Maybe cuz that's the way we go! We like to hang out at what we call the Cliffs just before the primitive camp area near the base of the "stairs" going to the top. We go down the "killer mile of boulders"...step, slide, step, slide etc.  We really prefer the West Trail and Mystic Canyon. Some neat little side trails (shush...we know you're suppose to stay on the trail) to explore. We've been going there since kids were 4 and 6. They are now 18 and 20.  I guess we have hiked all the trails out there now. Beautiful little park. Great for kids!

[SA Bill]

Hi BBH!
I'll echo what riverrat mentioned about the Mystic Canyon area being nice. Take the west trail to get back there.

Also good is the area back by the ponds. That's why I went the East Trail the other day...I got to go by the ponds and then could get my hill climbing exercise by going up to the overlook.

Sounds like you've been going to LM for a long time riverrat! It is a good place to go with the kids. Our twins are 21 now so we don't camp with them much any more but we had some wonderful times camping at LM.

Definitely a nice park...unless it's fall when the leaves are turning and the place is jam packed. Even then, just avoid the weekends and it's not too bad, especially if you can get up into the high country.
  Bill

[riverrat]

This is my fav fall pic of the Ponds. We go either at Spring Break or Thanksgiving Break. Not every year, though. Especially now that kids are grown and work full time. But LM has never failed to be a very nice, restful trip. Even when the campground and day use area is full the longer hikes can be pretty peaceful.