Return to Lost Maples

Lost Maples West Trail
User: melendrez - 10/27/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Beautiful Maples And Rock Ledges
User: Blaze - 8/25/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 10.90 Miles Duration: 5 hours, 59 minutes

I hiked the trails at Lost Maples as a part of a hiking group.  We hiked the East and West Trails.  There are some fairly steep hills to climb, but they're not too long or difficult.  The views at the top are nice.

The signage in this park is very good.  Some areas are very scenic, but I was shocked by the lack of water in the creeks and rivers.  Many of them were bone dry.  Still, this is one of the nicer places to hike and would recommend it to others.  My understanding is that the leaves "turn" at the end of October/early November, so this would be an ideal time to go.  It should also be a lot cooler then.

User: gypsydawn - 12/19/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 11.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Such a pretty trail. I really want to go when the leaves are changing.
had a great time
User: lawhit - 9/3/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 7.50 Miles Duration: N/A

We started out first thing in the morning 9am The weather was just right the trail was well marked except in certain areas in the river bed were we thought we were surely going the wrong way> Loved the several creek crossing don't recommend the norht loop it was a waste of time would of rather of took the east trail would recommend this hike to any one

Maple Trail and East Trail to stairs
User: Ginger - 11/17/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

The weather was gorgeous--mid 70's.  We went on a weekday, so it wasn't too busy, but there were a lot of people on the Maple Trail.  Mostly geriatric people enjoying the colors of the trees and taking it easy.  Traffic thinned out after that .8 mile trail ended.  We went farther, but were short on time so didn't do the full East Trail.  There was some color to the trees, but they were far more magnificent last time we went.  It was pouring down rain that time, and we did the entire 4.9 miles of the East trail in a downpour, fording flash flooded streams and sipping coffee from a thermos.

Great area once you get past the crowds at entrance
User: Riff Raff - 11/12/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 5.50 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes

Take note that when they say "steep" on the trail map, they really do mean it.  I could only do one of those steep sections (up and down the other side that is).  Another one would have had me not walking anywhere for a week.  At any rate, it's always odd standing in line at a state park (on a weekday at that) but if you go to Lost Maples around peak color time then I expect you probably know what you're in for.  Took the East Loop, with a spur of the West Loop to the spring area and back.  Great fun overall.

Maple Loop Trail
User: buzz9298 - 9/26/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A

Took the grandparent's, wife and son to see the changing colors of the Big Tooth Maple Trees.

Nice trail, probably better on off-peak days
User: Dickgreenie - 4/17/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
We did the East and Maple trails at about 10 am, we had three dogs with us and they had a hard time with the rocks, I guess that's why Labradors are not the pinnacle of the food-chain in mountainous areas. There were people all over the trail, but most were friendly and quiet.
Troop 381
User: Weilo - 3/20/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 12.00 Miles Duration: 2 days

We had a great time at Lost Maples. There were two tough climbs. We camped out at campsite B. Lots of rocks on the trails but we had a good time.

Great weekend
User: haysinaustin - 2/7/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 18.00 Miles Duration: N/A

We started off the hike in search for isolation, and thats what we found. We started off initially towards site H, but stopped at C and G to check them out as well. Site H is definately the furthest out and the most Isolated. There is a steep incline right before you get to it that will definately make you appreciate arriving to the site. Although it is on top of a hill, there is not much of a view due to the dense foliage. We ended up setting up at site H because it was getting late. The next day we traveled up to the scenic overlooks which were great. The wind was probably 20-30mph and there was a light drizzle. It was fantastic weather in my opinion. We hiked along the creeks, off trail, which was one of the highlights of the trip. That along with the ridge over site C was the best part.

User: stk1618 - 11/8/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: 4 minutes
East Trail
User: jstrait - 11/8/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes

We hiked the Maple trail a while back and didn't see anyone else in the park. It was after work one evening and it was wonderful. We couldn't wait for the leaves to change to come back and hike the east trail. If you're going for a good work out, hike the entire East Trail. It's a great hike. If you're going to see the maples but don't want a strenuous hike, go about 1/2 mile up either side of the trail. The middle of the trail requires a great deal more effort and the views aren't nearly as pretty as the beginning and end. There are a few really nice views when you're up high, but they really aren't that great. We went on a Saturday when the leaves were beautiful, so there was a line 1 1/2 miles long to get into the park. It was pretty full, but everyone was really nice. I gave solitude a 3 to average out the absolute solitude of our first visit and the absolute lack of solitude from the second visit.

User: chris_xg - 11/1/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

The trees where amazing!!

the drive was pretty
User: bingobaby - 10/21/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

i must say i was a bit dissappointed.  when you look at the website it has loads and loads of pictures of glorious trees but when you're actually there...it's only a tree here and a tree there that are changing.  still very pretty - the drive was delightful. 

the hike was enjoyable enough but by the time i got down it was sooooo crowded i left.

User: mhonea - 10/18/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 22 minutes
Beautiful in Summer... can't wait for Autumn
User: chopper - 6/22/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: 4 minutes

My wife and I are new to hill country hiking. We made this video of our trip to Lost Pines. It's a bit silly (was meant for family) but gives some good shots of the scenery:

Good weekend backpack & hike
User: Scott Roberson - 6/1/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 12.70 Miles Duration: 20 hours

We went in early summer. Creeks and river were low, but thanks to the natrual springs they weren't dry. Hills were steep but managable. I'm 37 and went with my 14 year old son and two dogs and we had a real good time exploring all the trails over three days. We visited all the camp sites and and did some off trail exploring on top of the hills. All in all we we walked over 25 miles over the three days. the only place we didn't go was down the service road. I have loged all the track for your GPS on following website.  www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php

User: BWZJKirby - 11/28/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 35 minutes
Lost Maples during Autumn
User: caspalding66 - 11/3/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 8.00 Miles Duration: 4 hours
Great Hike, lots of people as it was peak season
Great place to take family
User: Marshall - 7/18/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: 4 minutes

My wife and kids all hiked with me, we took our time and let the kids play and  still completed the hike in well under four hours, this area of the hill country may be the prettiest I have hiked. Clear streams, almost no one in park during the week, only a few swimmers in the creeks. We stayed in cabins just a couple of miles from park, but I can't remember their name, just look up vanderpool cabins and I am sure you can find the information.

First hike
User: keywest1 - 4/28/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.90 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Good trail for beginners.
Great Scenery
User: no_3of4 - 4/21/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: 1 day

Nice hike, was a little crowded but the park rangers told us in advance there was a boy scout troop there so we stayed back in west trail loop in camp site g.  it was really nice and only one other family was there.  Going to try to go back in the fall to see the maples.

West trail with west loop
User: keywest1 - 4/5/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 7.50 Miles Duration: 4 hours
Second hike at Lost Maples. Hiked the West trail (4.9) with the added West loop (2.5) miles. Enjoyed West trail for its challenging terrain. What a work out, hiked 7.4 miles in 4 hours with one break for 10 minutes. It was cloudy and drizzling, so temperature was very comfortable.
East Trail
User: wsigstedt - 4/1/2006  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.90 Miles Duration: N/A
Great hike, rock formations, creek, ponds, great vista. Bring water. I must see. Expect steep grades, one side has long steep hill with loose rcok, the other had steep hill with rock steps and loose rock.

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