Enchanted Rock

Type: Trail	Rating: (4.18)
Difficulty: (3.03)	Solitude: (2.79)
Length: 7.00 Miles	Elevation Gain: N/A
ADAAccessible: N/A	Interpretive Guide: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes	Bikes Allowed: No
Cost: $6.00	More Information: More Info
City: Fredericksburg	County: Llano

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Getting there: Head west into Fredericksburg on Highway 290. In the middle of town turn right onto RR 965 and head north. After travelling approximately 18 miles look for the entrance to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area on the left.

The Park: All ages are relative. A single human's age measures up to a fraction of a sliver of the Earth's. The collective written history of Texas adds up to only a handful of generations. To measure truly significant periods of time one has to do so geologically. At 1 billion years old, Enchanted Rock provides one of the most striking examples of old to be found in Texas.

Enchanted Rock, as seen from the observation platform near the Summit Trail trailhead.

What now rises 500 feet into the air was once a bubble of liquid magma beneath the Earth. Unlike the surrounding rock that it penetrated, the consistency of this magma created a column of hard granite. Over the next 1 billion years the movement of the Earth's plates and erosion patterns of the planet's weather has chipped away at the surrounding countryside. The granite, stronger than the surrounding rock, bears the weathering better and so was exposed to the surface and slowly continues to emerge.

The geological term for such an outcrop is a batholith. Enchanted Rock is the second largest batholith in the United States, second only to the massive Stone Mountain in Georgia.

<% displayUploadedImage "Right", "EnchantedRock1.jpg", "150", "200", "Looking at Little Rock to the west from Enchanted Rock. (Photo courtesy of Dave McDonald)", "Photo" %> Enchanted Rock State Natural Area consists of numerous peaks, each of them a separate highpoint of the granite bubble, most of which continues to reside beneath the surface of the Earth. It's estimated that the granite bubble encompasses some 90 square miles, mostly to the north of Enchanted Rock.

When viewing Enchanted Rock from a distance, it's easy to draw a conclusion that the large masses of bare rock provide little in the way of resources for animal and plant life. However, those conclusions bely the wide abundance of life on and around Enchanted Rock, sometimes in the most unlikely of places.

Some interesting and rare lifeforms get a foothold in some odd places at Enchanted Rock.

Upon close examination, bare rock is not bare at all. Boulders, at rest on the granite dome, provide crevases at their base that trap a bit of soil and provide shade, yielding a micro habitat ideal for small ferns. Long, incredibly straight cracks in the dome itself serves host to some hardier grasses. Shallow depressions on the rock surfaces collect water, which traps wind-borne soil, which again yields plant life. These mini oasises, called gnammas, even play host to fairy shrimp. Gnammas that collect enough soil to completely fill up resemble small prairies. The rock surface itself is often alive. The greenish or gray veneer of ordinarily pinkish granite is actually lichens.

The trail to the top of Enchanted Rock is not the only picturesque path to follow in the park. Here Turkey Peak towers over Big Sandy Creek.

There are 7 miles of trails at Enchanted Rock and three separately named trails. However, there are uncounted additional paths that one can follow on the face of the peaks. The signature trail at the park is the Summit Trail, which also happens to be the most crowded. This short, but steep path leads to the summit of Enchanted Rock, approximately 500 feet above the lowpoint of the park.

The Loop Trail is the longest trail in the park, but arguably the easiest. Most of the trail follows old jeep trails and is typically flat. Since the trail encircles most of the peaks in the park, it provides a multitude of views of the park's wonders.

The Echo Canyon Trail bisects the two largest moutains in the park and effectively cuts the Loop Trail into two parts. It can be used as a Loop Trail cutoff to shorten a journey but also provides some rougher terrain as it pushes through the boulder field between the Little Rock and Enchanted Rock.

Big Rock is to the right. This is from the approach from Fredericksburg. (Photo by kcameron)	This is Little Rock, which is just west of Big Rock. Notice the trail in the foreground weaving through the trees. (Photo by kcameron)	This area between Big Rock and Little Rock looks like a rock pile. (Photo by kcameron)
There are numerous interesting rock formations in the park, such as this one. (Photo by kcameron)	Here is another interesting rock formation. Notice the rock near the bottom of the picture that appears to jut upward. The plates of rock look as though they could slide off at any moment. (Photo by kcameron)	Although this is Big Rock and not the mountain known as "Buzzard's Roost", if you look closely near the center of the picture, you will see 2 buzzards with their wings spread and others simply roosting in the morning sun. (Photo by kcameron)
2 hikers walking along the ridge of the summit heading north. (Photo by kcameron)

Logs

Have you visited this location? What did you think of it? Submit your own log entry to let others know of your experiences and to keep track of your adventures.

Yay for elevation changes and scenery!
User: jstrait - 9/2/2009 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A

We started out on a Wednesday night and hiked the loop trail by moonlight into the Walnut Springs primative camping area to set up camp. After getting set up, we went to the scenic overlook (incredible by moonlight) then near the Moss Lake camping area. An injury forced us back to camp. The next morning we followed some of the Echo Canyon Trail, more of the Loop Trail and parts of the Turkey Pass Trail. We were pleasantly surprised that Moss Lake actually had water and not surprised that the frog pond was completely dry. We would have liked to explore more, but time kept us from staying any longer. A beautiful hike and a great workout.

User: barhamb - 5/17/2009 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes

Take Echo Canyon Trail for solitude and beauty
User: Daniel N - 3/22/2009 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 8.50 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 40 minutes

Having grown up in Fredericksburg i spent many weekends and summers exploring Enchanted Rock. I recently returned with my wife and son and had forgotten the beauty and serenity of Enchanted Rock. I do not want to discount the grand vistas and unique experience of climbing to the top of Summit Trail, but far too many people bypass what is the most beautiful and peaceful hikes in Texas. The start of the trail is very unassuming and you can loose the trail if you don't pay attention, but after you are firmly situated in the "saddle" of the two rocks you decend slowly to a small glade with three monolithic rocks that create an otherworldly environment that is perfect to relax and enjoy the nature around you. There are a number of rock climbing trails that spur off from the path and you can hook up with the Loop trail and get some great views of the rocks from the other side.

Great views, and nice camping
User: haysinaustin - 1/10/2009 [View Log Page]
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We stayed at buzzards roost overnight which is the best site for backcountry camping IMO. We had a fantastic view of the rock and the horizon from our site. There was only one other group of campers out at our site which was'nt bad. If you are looking for isolation however this is not a park for it. There are herds of people hiking up the rock during the day. We did not follow many of the trails and explored the area off trail mostly. We spent most of our second day climbing up the rocks from the least traveled areas which was very challenging. This is a great place to go if you want a challenging climb (for an average hiker). You can make it as hard as you want, although we chose a rather easy route that was challenging enough for us. Its a small park and all most if not all can be seen in a full day. Definately worth checking out.

Caution for Night Hikers
User: Woodlands Randy - 10/30/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: 2 minutes

Have been going to E-Rock for years and love it. One caution.

To newbies hiking to the top of E-Rock at night, it's easy to become directionally disoriented one you reach the summit. After dark, there aren't too many visible landmarks and few landmark-worthy lights in the distance to navigate by. Hence, take a compass and use it to locate the correct direction down. You don't have to be too precise. Take a general directional bearing on the way up and follow the opposite bearing to go down. This will point you generally in the direction of your ascent. Otherwise, you could be suprised to find yourself on a much steeper descent that you expected.

Good hike
User: RMA - 6/14/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Great views from the summit. Lots of people though
User: no_3of4 - 4/5/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 12 minutes

Stayed over night by moss lake. there we lots of people camped there. Found a nice spot under some big oak trees away from most of the crowd. Nice place just really too many people.

Lots of Solitude in January
User: ksouth - 1/23/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: 7 minutes

I'm new to hiking and backpacking and chose this to be my first trip. I arrived late and self registered because the office was closed. Spent the night at Moss Lake campsite. Climbed the summit in the morning. Took a lot of effort with 30 extra pounds strapped to my back but managable. The view wasn't as great as in the above photos because it was a very foggy and cloudy day. On the upside it meant I had the whole place pretty much to myself. I only saw three other people the whole time I was at the park. The 30-40 degree weather and random occurances of sprinkling rain probably had something to do with it as well. I also hiked a lot of the loop trail and the Echo Canyon trail. Echo Canyon trail is not "paved" very well in many parts and you will find yourself trying to navigate from rock to rock while simultaneously attempting to avoid splitting your head open from a slip. Rewarding hike though. The primitive campgrounds are in good shape and have nice flat areas to pitch a tent. I saw some deer, wild pigs and of course birds. I'd love to go back when its a nice day out to get the great view as well as explore the caves. One final note, keep an eye out for the trail markers, usually they are in view of each other but occasionally I would find myself venturing out into dead ends that appeared like trails.

It Rocks!!
User: big tex - 5/30/2006 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A
I love this place have been going here since I was 5. Everytime I go her I find something new to explore. Awesome playground for all ages.

great hike, great climb
User: Kim - 9/26/2005 [View Log Page]
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We camped E-Rock to avoid Hurricane Rita. Becasue we were evacuee's we camped for free. Thank You Texas! During the week there were very few others at the park, the weekend saw a few more folks show up. Never was it crowded. Restrooms were clean, campsites were far enough apart to avoid the cramped in feeling. Views were wonderful, trails marked very well. Hiking the dome at night was way cool.

A hike with lots of variety
User: kcameron - 7/26/2005 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A
We arrived early to avoid the crowds. Still, we met several people as we climbed and then descended the summit. We then worked our way along Sandy Creek and followed the trail that cuts between the Big Rock, Freshman Mountain and Turkey Peak. Once we got on this trail, and later the Loop Trail, we only met 2 other parties of hikers. I enjoy the variety of this park. You can climb the hills, climb the rocks, hike along the creek among the trees, and wander through Echo Canyon and the trees there. The Loop Trail is an excellent and smooth grade for beginning hikers.

Another nice morning hike
User: texasgrape - 6/26/2005 [View Log Page]
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Read my entry the day before for an AWESOME morning hike!

Awesome hike early in the morning
User: texasgrape - 6/25/2005 [View Log Page]
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Here's how you get a 4.5 enjoyability and a 4.5 solitude! Arrive at the Loop Trail trailhead (west side) before dawn! Just as it gets light, proceed. We saw bucks in the velvet, does, fawns, and raccoons. Hill country is very cool, weather wise, in the early mornings. We continued on the Loop Trail and then went north through the Walnut Springs campground. Followed it around to where it crossed the Loop Trail again, but took the Echo Canyon trail back toward the Summit Trail. We were the only ones hiking; everyone else was still sleeping. Because of our early start, we stayed cool and got to see wildlife you ordinarily wouldn't see. Then as soon as we got back close to the summit trail, you could see a line of folks just starting up to the summit; but we were already done and smiling! They looked so HOT. It was so nice, we did the exact same hike the next day!

User: nobody - 3/20/2005 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A
I did the summit trail, then doubled back to Echo Canyon, from there to the loop trail and around Turkey Peak back to the parking area. A nice hike, but throngs of people detract from the mountaintop experience. Most of them don't venture into the back country, which is a saving grace.

Be prepared for crowds
User: leemark45 - 2/20/2005 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A
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.

User: Team Maya - 10/26/2004 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A

A nice walk
User: texasgrape - 10/9/2004 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
A nice hike and my first at Enchanted Rock. Started out on the Summit Trail, turned left onto Echo Canyon Trail. Halfway on Echo Canyon Trail, turned right and went north of Enchanted Rock and Freshman's Mountain all the way to the Loop Trail at Buzzards Roost. From there, we took the Loop Trail southward to Sandy Creek which led us back to the beginning.

User: matthewNtime - 3/21/2004 [View Log Page]
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The cave part of this hike is a must do. I've done it twice, once in December with a Boy Scouting group, once in May with my wife. The winter hike was much preferred, especially for the cave. Creepy crawly things are all over that cave in the warm months.

User: shag - 11/5/2002 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Affraid of heights?
User: asellers98 - 9/30/2002 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A
This climb is incredible, but there are times that the sheer drop off will make your gut feel the rush. Get there at 8am sharp, this allows you to be finished with the climb when the crowds come to join you. Park closes the gates when the parking is full, so be advised another reason to get there early. Do not forget your bug spray, there are annoying nats buzzing around.