Chris and I had a wonderful time today hiking a loop of trails at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge. The area we ventured to is called Doeskin Ranch. While the refuge has a number of trails that are smaller in size, we opted to take portions of each trail and essentially travel a large loop around the area.
Doeskin Ranch Trailhead
Approximately 45 minutes from Austin, it is easy to get to. We didn't even use the GPS, just maps. Signs direct you to where you need to go. Very user friendly. Though the parking lot is a little small! Be sure to pick up a Doeskin Ranch Creek Trail self-guided tour brochure. There are nine numbered spots along the trail that you can view with corresponding educational information.
Stop #1: Who's Home?
We began at the Creek Trail, heading left and then south along the creek. The video at the start of this post features footage from that trail. Pictured above, this was once the home of settlers. Nature has since retaken it!
On the Indiangrass Trail
Though Texas isn't necessarily known for hikes with varying elevation, the two of us were pleasantly surprised by the rocky hills. There were a few moments when we needed to catch our breath after an ascent.
Texas Foliage
While we encountered a few families and couples on the trail it seems like the refuge is not widely known. But the individuals we did encounter seemed just as thrilled with their experiences as we were.
Fossils
Another Fossil
The highlight of the experience was, by far, discovering fossils on the Indiangrass Trail. Neither of us expected it. To be fair, they are literally everywhere along the southern most region of the trail. They are a lot different looking than the fossils I got to dig up while living in West Virginia, but still incredibly cool nonetheless. These fossils in particular appear to belong to clam- or mussel-like creatures. Be sure to check them out if you find them, but you are not allowed to remove them according to the rules and regulations of the park.
Tangled Up Wood (Indiangrass Trail)
Indiangrass Trail Panorama
Rimrock Trail Panorama
Overall, the two of us absolutely adored this park. The November weather was an added bonus. We also prepared by layering our clothing. I began with a windproof jacket but as we climbed and the temps warmed, I no longer needed it.
Creek Trail View
Creek Trail Foliage
Creek Trail Rolling Water
Yet More Creek Trail Water!
If you're able to, I highly recommend walking the loop that we did. Essentially, begin by taking the left side of the Creek Trail. Then, continue to take to the left of each junction until on the Rimrock Trail you see a sign to return to the parking lot. For a map to the exact trail we took, click here to go to Chris's Alltrails record. You can also print a map provided by the park by clicking here.
Eleven AM Sunlight With Foliage
Entering the Creek Trail
I should mention that while parking is limited there is no charge for admission. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset and seven days a week. During weekdays, the Refuge Headquarters is open from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. It provides additional resources like brochures and checklists.
To most people, yesterday was Black Friday, a consumerist holiday that it seems like nearly every American store in existence participates in. Even pet stores have Black Friday sales. I remember all of our efforts at Petsmart while I worked there, getting hyped up about how great our sales would be. We would spend hours merchandising and getting things ready only to be sorely disappointed by sales by the end of the day. My attitude toward this tradition and toward consumerism in general has changed a lot since then. I had been quite happy to see so many nationwide retail outlets not open on Thanksgiving. I was even more appreciative when other retailers announced that they would be closed on the day after. One of our favorites, REI, was one such store. Last year, Chris and I spent our day after Thanksgiving hiking in Bastrop . This year, REI encouraged their employees and members to do the same thing with a campaign called #OptOutside. We were already planning on visiting a state pa
While Bandelier National Monument was relaxing and inviting, Chris and I were most definitely interested in additional exploration when it came to cliff dwellings and New Mexico's historic sites. Our schedule permitted us one destination on Tuesday. We could choose to visit the Taos Pueblo or Puye Cliff Dwellings . Although the Pueblo is supposed to be pretty spectacular, Chris and I are wary of crowds. The Taos Pueblo is a very popular place. Although it's filled with authentic Native American artisans and craftspeople, she and I felt more like we wanted a one on one experience doing something a little more exciting than shopping. Puye is beautiful . A Pueblo guide provides an intimate tour throughout the site. What I enjoyed most about it is that her experiences were firsthand. She is a direct descendant of the individuals who used to inhabit the cliff dwellings and her knowledge about the area was not only complete but also genuine. In fact, the people who used to
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