Lost Maples State Natural Area | Texas
East Trail overlook
Mike’s Score: Some of the best views and hiking from the entire trip. I really enjoyed my stay here. Be warned, there is no cell service nor 5G connectivity in the park so contacting ‘the outside world’ may require a drive into town. 4/5
Location
Street Address: 37221 F.M. 187 | Vanderpool, TX 78885
HQ Coordinates: Latitude: 29.807719 | Longitude: -99.570697
Phone Number: (830) 966-3413
Park Description
Along the Sabinal River, springs flow through scenic and rugged limestone canyons. Wildlife thrives here, including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Hike the 11 miles of trails up steep canyon cuts to reach dramatic overlooks and find the perfect place to pitch a backpacker’s tent. The stars of this 2,900-acre natural area are the stands of uncommon Uvalde Bigtooth Maples. Large weekend crowds arrive when the maples turn vivid reds, yellows, and oranges from late October through November.
Changing Beauty
Autumn’s magic has its roots in summer. In warmer months, each bigtooth maple leaf acts as a miniature factory. A leaf turns sunlight into sugar, giving the tree energy to live and grow. The shorter days and cooler air of early fall signal a change. At that time, the leaves halt their production of sugar.
Chemical changes within each leaf bring new colors to the canyons. Reds, oranges, yellows, and browns emerge and replace greenery by November. The hue of each tree depends on the season’s temperature. An early frost can curtail the year’s display.
With their bright red foliage, bigtooth maples are the natural area’s most celebrated resident. The hand-sized leaves of sycamore trees turn golden in the fall. The deep green leaves and cinnamon bark of the Texas madrone offer an eye-catching contrast.
After the burst of color in the falls, the canyons quiet with winter. Last year’s leaves line the ground. They’ll become next year’s fertilized, nourishing new sycamores, maples and madrones in the springtime.
Source | Texas Parks & Wildlife
Source | Texas Parks & Wildlife
Source | Texas Parks & Wildlife
Source | Texas Parks & Wildlife
