Enchanted Rock Loop Trail

[dalthauser]

So, I was on my own today - my hiking partner didn't show.  He called about 8:45am while I was already on the road to say he was at the hospital with his son who had an asthma attack early that morning.  What can you say to that except - I hope everything will be alright.

The drive to Enchanted Rock was long but beautiful.  Driving solo I could daydream and sing with my iPod when I felt like it.  Followed Mapquest, and I got there without a hitch.  I love the HIllcountry - this is the part of Texas I don't think a lot of people know about.  Texas is not all tumbleweeds and desert.  

I got to the ranger station and paid my admission ($6) - the ranger said there weren't very many people on the trails - they had all come over the weekend she guessed.  I decided to stick with the loop and save the summit for a future date (maybe a visit where I camp overnight).  I changed out of my crocs and into my magic Timberland hiking boots (I always feel invincible when I have them on).  I packed a couple of bottles of Arizona tea along with the usual day hike necessities (first aid kit, wet wipes, sun screen, insect repellent, iPod.....) - off I went.

On a scale from 1 to 10 this hike is a 3 for challenging (didn't break a sweat) - however, the happy factor is a 7. There's a lot of variety - good atmosphere - and, at least this time - I saw only two other people on the trail the whole time I was hiking.  The loop itself is 4.5 miles if you don't include any of the side trails.  I finished it in 2 hours 15 minutes, but I goofed off plenty.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself! 

I did, for the most part, stick to the main trail - which for me is not easy because I love to poke around and follow unmarked trails.  For one I wasn't familiar with the area - and two I was quite literally alone on the trail - if I got bit by a snake or spider - or fell - I'd be in trouble - I had the phone# for the ranger station, but  - they might not have found me in time.

I will do this hike again soon - and I will camp out next time and do the loop and off-shoot trails as well as the summit.  I'm already looking forward to it. 

Here's pictures - there's lots of them.   Picassa slideshow doesn't come up wihen I embed it, so here are the links:

LINK TO SLIDESHOW

LINK TO PHOTO ALBUM