Enchanted Rock 2/23/13

February 23rd, 2013

Hike: Enchanted Rock, Fredericksburg, TX

Weather: clear blue skies, sunny, low-mid 70s

Hikers: Ian, Courtney

Got to the park around 10:15am.  Had to wait in line, as cars were backed up onto the main road to get in.  Made our own trail up to summit of Little Rock.  Steep ascent at the beginning.  Main rock too crowded.  Court saw a squirrel and we came across a lizard on the way down that blended in perfectly with the granite.  Court also got scratched by a cactus spine at some point.

“Enchanted Rock is an enormous pink granite pluton rock formation located in the Llano Uplift approximately 15 miles north of Fredericksburg.  The rock rises 425 feet above the surrounding terrain to an elevation of 1,825 feet above sea level.  It is the largest such granite formation in the US and was designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 1936.  The rock is roughly 1 billion years old, with evidence of human visitation going back at least 11,000 years.” – Wikipedia

Vegetation on the rock includes lots of grasses, prickly pear cactus and other small shrubs.  Lots of lichens as well.  We could see for miles around from the top.  I forgot my hat, so the sun was a little harsh.  Overall, a pretty short hike, but good exercise and Courtney’s first time to the rock.

See map: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4507_119c.pdf