April 8 - Hiking at Enchanted Rock

"The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible." ― Arthur C. Clarke

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area offers visitors a chance to get out and explore. You can hike, camp, backpack, rock climb or just enjoy a picnic and take in the amazing views of Enchanted Rock, Little Rock and Turkey Peak. Enchanted Rock is a pink granite mountain located north of Fredericksburg, Texas. It's the largest pink granite monadnock in the United States. The granite dome rises 425 feet above the surrounding terrain to an elevation of 1,825 feet and offers amazing views of the Texas Hill Country as far as the eyes can see.

The Summit Trail is a 0.8 mile (one way) hike that leads to the top of the park's namesake. The trail is short but steep, equivalent to climbing the stairs of a 35 story building. While the hike is very steep at times, it's not technical and does not involve scrambling over rocks. The views get better and better as you ascend. 

 

Enchanted Rock has fascinated humans for thousands of years. As a result, it has inspired many stories that still endure today. Most of these are rooted in fancy rather than fact. One story tells that Tonkawa Indians thought that ghost fires flickered on top of the dome and the creaking and groaning noises they heard were made by ancient spirits. But geologists say that the dome creaks and groans as rock cools at night and ghost fires can be seen on clear nights after a rain as the sun reflects off the water and wet feldspar. 

On our way up...

Looking down to the parking lot and park entry.

Views from part way up.

View from the top.

Looking towards Little Rock.

Looking out over Echo Canyon.

Looking past Echo Canyon to Moss Lake.

Coming down on the south side close to the Echo Canyon Trail.

Looking towards Turkey Peak.

Beautiful views on the way down.