Trip report - Lost Maples SNA, TX

[Pahaska]

I just spent 2 nights at the Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool, TX. It is about a 135-mile trip from home through the Texas Hill Country. Much of the route is along the south branch of the beautiful Guadalupe River. With all the rain last month, the countryside was green as Ireland and all the streams were flowing full.

The 30-site campground held about 5 of us. The sites are W/E, paved, some shaded, and with nice picnic shelters. There are 11 miles of trails that are not for the weak or timid. I hiked 6 miles the first day and 9 miles the second day and climbed 3 mountains. In 4 hours of hiking, the second day, I saw one other person.

I averaged better than 12 MPG towing, which I think is great considering the terrain. Towing mileage is always a bit low in the Hill Country which is a series of short ups and downs. The roads are narrow and I appreciated that my trailer is 8' wide. There are enough twists and turns that towing a long trailer would be a chore.

The park is usually pretty empty except during the fall color change. Then, it is mobbed. The park staff said that spring is especially beautiful and the park is mostly deserted at that season. I intend to go back this fall after the crowds depart and again in the spring.

[Pahaska]

Here's why I loved Lost Maples. The whole park was as beautiful as this corner of the campground. There was a burbling stream just down the hill behind the trailer.