Panther Canyon Nature Trail
| Trail |
   (3.29) |
| (1.85) |
|
| 1.90 Miles |
110 Feet |
| N/A |
Yes
|
| Yes |
No |
|
Free
|
|
| New Braunfels |
Comal |
|
Take Action
|
Getting there: From I-35 in central New Braunfels take the Seguin
Avenue exit and head west. Turn right onto Landa Park Drive and look for the trailhead sign
on the left side of the road.
The Hike: The Panther Canyon Nature Trail is a relatively new trail
that begins in New Braunfels' main park in the center of town, Landa Park. The hike
begins at the waypoint marked "Trailhead". Already, the hiker is provided with a sight
to behold. Just to the south of the trailhead lies Comal Springs, the largest in Texas
and the southwestern United States. The highest recorded discharge from the springs was
over 350,000,000 gallons in a single day in 1977. The water gushing from the springs
twists a few times in Landa Park before joining the Comal River.
 |
| Comal Springs is the largest spring in Texas, and the southwest. |
The trail heads towards the northwest from the trailhead. In general the trail is well
maintained with occassionally rocky surfaces, though packed dirt is more common. Most of
the rocky portions occur at the trail's many creek crossings. In this short hike you'll
cross the creek at least 10 times. Thankfully, the stream is usually dry, as it was on the
day of my visit, and so provided no impediments.
-small.jpg) |
| Although the walls of the canyon are steep, the trail itself follows the gentler creek bed. |
About a tenth of a mile from the trailhead a small cave opening can be seen on the right.
A quick peek into the opening showed an ascending slope covered in rocky debris, leading to
pitch darkness. The cave could serve as a discharge point during wetter periods, but
could also serve as the home for some wildlife. Alas, I could see no sign that would tell
whether either of these were true.
 |
| This cave lies near the trail, on the opposite side of the creek bed. |
It's not that Panther Canyon is not an interpretive trail. I discovered more than 40
numbered stations throughout its length. Although some were destroyed by vandals, the
majority appeared to be in their proper location. I had no prior knowledge of the interpretive
markers and saw nothing at the trailhead which would help me learn more about the cave, or
any of the other features that the markers highlighted.
-small.jpg) |
| A few segments of the trail are somewhat narrow, but none of it is overgrown. |
Panther Canyon plays host to a dule of doves. White-winged doves seem to find the dense
tree cover ideal for their purposes. A dule is a collection of doves, but strangely they
can also be referred to as an arc, a cote, a cove, a dole, an exaltation, a flight,
a flock, a funeral, a true love, a piteousness, a pitying, or a prettying of doves. Feel
free to choose your favorite collective noun from the list. But the doves were not the only
notable bird to be found. At one point I encountered a large Turkey Vulture hopping
and darting, in a somewhat ungainly manner, amongst the branches near a creek crossing.
Considering the bird's awkwardness I could see why I have seldomly seen them in such
heavy cover.
 |
| The trail crosses the creek that cuts the valley a number of times. |
At the waypoint marked "Forked?" I took a wrong turn, unknowingly. I saw a trail lead
off to the right, but thought the trail ahead was at least as well traveled, if not more so.
Wanting to hike the trail proper and not any maverick trails, I proceeded to the left.
By taking the proper right turn here the hike distance is probably equivalent, but the
trail stops at New Braunfels High School. The fork to the left continues until it runs
into Kentucky Street at the waypoint Turnaround, just a block or two from the school.
I encountered several people on the trail, but no crowds. This was somewhat surprising,
particularly given that upon finishing the hike, back in Landa Park, I found the place to be
packed with people, most of whom were picnicing or wading in the water downstream from the
springs. It seemed that most people didn't even know the trail was there, just across the
street from them. Perhaps that's for the best, at least for us.
Photos
This creek crossing features a small wooden bridge. Others simply ford the dry creek bed. (Photo by
Austin Explorer)
|
-small.jpg)
Tree cover along the trail is abundant. The foliage cuts down on the heat from the Sun and muffles the sound of the surrounding houses. (Photo by
Austin Explorer)
|
-small.jpg)
Most of the trail is fairly smooth, but a few parts, like this one, is quite rocky. (Photo by
Austin Explorer)
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Trail as it crosses dry creak bed (Photo by
satterthwait)
|
Picture taken from dry creek bed showing bridge and part of trail. (Photo by
satterthwait)
| |
Log Entries
Great in the morning
User:
Luke -
11/14/2004
[View Log Page]
Rating: N/A
Difficulty:
Distance: 1.90 Miles
Duration: N/A
I have no clue about that little cave. I've lived near this canyon since I was born. The best time (in my opinion) to hike this trail, if you want solitude, is the early early morning. But even if you can't make it early, it's still pretty deserted. There are several "non-trails" and some newer trails that have been cleared recently. The vandalism really isn't all that bad... it seems like the markers disappear halfway through (if you're coming from the park). Lots of graffiti on the bridge, but some of it is pretty creative. Depending on your personality, it probably won't be a problem.
Nice hike
User:
nlb -
6/3/2004
[View Log Page]
Rating: N/A
Difficulty:
Distance: 1.60 Miles
Duration: N/A
We enjoyed the hike and even encountered a doe and her two yearlings. Our only disappointment was the presence of some obvious vandalism. It is a shame that some feel it necessary to destroy things for no reason.
Short and sweet
User:
bhoberg -
10/3/2003
[View Log Page]
Rating: N/A
Difficulty:
Distance: 1.25 Miles
Duration: N/A
I work in New Braunfels, so I come here to get away from the hustle and bustle of the courthouse (I work there). My visit to the trail was on an afternoon after eating lunch. I had some extra time, ran down to the trail, and began hiking it after stopping to admire the springs. The trail was quiet and I was alone, the whole time, I didn't pass a single person, but this was also a Friday afternoon at 12:00. The hike was nice overall, a bit technical with work shoes, but due to the rocks along the creek beds I would suggest either hiking boots or sturdy shoes with not a lot of extra room in them. I had my low cut shoes on (Doc Martens 6 holes) and found it just a bit rough in them. Honestly though this is a beautiful trail with various wildlife and scenery. I passed some deer, a possum, and countless number of squirrels out there but the greenery and flowers made the hike an enjoyable break from the office. Austin Explorer was right in both the cave and the markers, I as well saw them but found no indication as to their identifiers. Overall, a nice short hike, and no one really seems to notice it at all, good for us. :-)
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