Lost Maples Dec 27, 2007

[BigBendHiker]

We made a quick trip over to Lost Maples in late December.  The Sabinal was full of water.  The park was beautiful and a great time was had by all.  It was not Big Bend, but until we can get out there (in 2008), this had to do...

[homerboy2u]

Nice picture BBH, where exactly is Lost Maples?...BTW: I like your signature ..i know exactly what you mean ...Saludos

[Roy]

Fast clean water flowing over white limestone;  looks good BBH.
It's been several years since I've been there;  quit going because of the crowds.  I may have to rethink that one.

Homero,  Lost Maples is about 25 miles east of Leakey;  near Vanderpool.

LINKY:  http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=29.779278&lon=-99.578018&z=10&l=0&m=h

[RichardM]

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lost_maples/

[BigBendHiker]

Fast clean water flowing over white limestone;  looks good BBH.
It's been several years since I've been there;  quit going because of the crowds.  I may have to rethink that one.

There were several tents at the campsite and about a half dozen folks hiking the trail.  So, it was not too crowded.  I would think that during the fall when the leaves are turning, it is wall to wall humanity. 


BBH

[SA Bill]

I used to backpack in LM every once in a while. Great place but it can be crowded on the weekends, especially in the fall when the leaves change color.
  Bill

[Roy]

Crowded might be too mild a term;  I once saw cars and tour buses line up for over a quarter mile.  During the fall leaf peeping season.

[sleepy]

yup, most people go to LM only during leaf change.  It is a beautiful place without those leaves.  There are some great hike in campsites.  Another good place is Hill Country State Natural Area.  Lots of wildlife around there.  Many from San Antonio come on the weekends to ride horses.  I love the Sabinal and Medina River drainages.  Good fixes if you aren't able to make it to the Bend.

I learned last weekend of a different way of seeing the Hill Country.  I usually think of hills and higher elevation, but since it is a plateau and the major geologic force is erosion, canyons are the prime feature.  So it's really Canyon Country.  Just different view. 

Great pics BBH.  Thanks for sharing.    

[homerboy2u]

So the best time to be there, is the worst time to be around, because of the humans...what a Parody !. One of my many places to check out with my family.

  BTW, when i checked their website, thank you RicardoM, i also signed up for the TPWD emails notifications, there are many issues you can get information out of the oven, so to speak. You might want to check it out too.

Homero

[JimNewOrleans]

It's a great easy place to take those new to backpacking - zero extened options, but for a really nice one night trip it is very pretty at any time of yr.  Used to go a good little bit when I lived in TX.   Lots of wildlife, when you spook a wild turkey they sound like a helicopter taking off - The geology is pretty  indicative of the area, but the unique mix of geology and foliage makes it really nice.  And yes, always seem(seemed) crowded, primarily because it is so small, but its crowded for good reason I guess!    Trees perfect for veging out in a hammock.....

[STARLITDARKNESS3]

I suppose that 'crowded' is a relative term.  When I take the kids to the Frio River, Lost Maples is where we stay, because Garner is "too crowded".  Other than the Fall Season, LM is quite to yourself.  Very small campground, and, if you backpack, there is no one else nearby.  During our hikes in LM we have rarely encountered other hikers, like I said, except during the FAll Season. And that's just when the leaves are turned. 

[TheWildWestGuy]

I backpacked there once on my way back from Big Bend.  The campground is small and very crampt and not very nice unless you really like having wall-to-wall people and trailers.  There were a lot of other backpackers near the ponds along the river but several of the campsites away from this area were totally empty.  Seems like the river especially the pond area was where 70% of the people were camping.   I went a second time but was turned away because the park was closed to allow hunters in and I didn't know it ahead of time.   Overall a nice place but well off the beaten path and a long detour from my normal route to/from BBNP... TWWG