Not difficult at all
Guadalupe River State Park
- 4/4/2005
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Distance: 6.00 Miles
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This is a typical state park with very easy trails. On the day I went, I didn't meet anyone else on the trails but there were some people in the parking lot unloading their horses (it's a multi-use trail). On weekends and holidays the park is very crowded. The trails are very flat, level, and easy to walk.
A gentle learning experience
Cibolo Nature Center
- 3/23/2005
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Distance: 6.00 Miles
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The Nature Center is a unique experience in that it's not really a hiking challenge but a learning experience. In just a few miles you can visit four distinct eco-systems in the same park. On the day I went the weather was cool and cloudy making for a very enjoyable time. I think there was a local school bus or two with quite a few children. This detracted from the peace and solitude but who am I to deny children the opportunity to learn about the environment and how to protect it?? I'll be returning to the Center in the summer, then again in the fall and winter just to see the changes in flora and fauna. It's also just a few short miles down the road (Hwy 46) from the Honey Creek Preserve and Guadalupe River State Park.
Enjoyable
Eisenhower Park
- 3/15/2005
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Distance: 5.00 Miles
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Best to arrive before noon on weekdays to avoid crowds. A lot of military people use the park since its next door to Camp Bullis. A good stretch of Hillview Trail runs parallel to the fence line of Military Hwy and a rock quarry, but once you get to the interior, it's quite scenic. The Red Oak Trail is my favorite because of the diverse terrain. All in all, a good getaway. It's possible to hit every trail if you do some doubling back and that will get you about 6.5 miles of hiking and it'll take about 2 hrs at an easy pace.
Be prepared for crowds
Enchanted Rock
- 2/20/2005
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Distance: 7.00 Miles
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I arrived at 2pm and the parking lot was nearly full. The summit looked like it had a trail of ants. The park rangers said it was normal to have a full parking lot any time of the year. The hike to the top took about 45 minutes and there were a lot of people going up and coming down. After descending I took the main loop trail. Didn't encounter a single person! Moral of the story... if you climb "the rock" expect a crowd. The other trails should be just about empty (at least during the middle of the week. Weekends are another story.) As a side trip, when you exit the park, turn LEFT on RR965. It will dead-end at Hwy 16. Turn right for about 4 miles and when you see the Willow City Loop Road (on your left) TAKE IT! You will have about 13 miles of incredible scenery before you head back to Hwy 16.
Not bad for being inside city limits
Friedrich Wilderness Park
- 1/14/2005
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Distance: 5.50 Miles
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Forget solitude. Park gets crowded almost any time. Best time seems to be middle of week before 12noon. Weekends are worst. Trails range from paved to what the park calls a level 4 (rocky, uneven paths with some narrow ledges along ravines.) Best time to experience the park is winter, especially with frost on the ground (very rare around here.) Opening/closing hours should be expanded to be more like other city parks (7am - 11pm, for example.)