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San Antonio, TX: Lost Maples State Park
Hold onto your pennies! This 4.8-mile loop passes a wishing well en route to a set of refreshing swimming holes in Lost Maples State Park.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Texas (TX) |
| Distance: | 4.79 mi |
| Difficulty: | 4 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Sabinal Canyon |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
Autumn is a popular time to visit the Lost Maples State Natural Area's bigtooth-maple crowded hillsides—especially vibrant after an early October cold-streak—but the swimming-hole payoff on this 4.8-mile route makes it a great year-round dayhike or overnight trip.
This clockwise lollipop loop follows the East Trail for 0.3 mile before turning left for a 1.25-mile rise through a maple-shrouded canyon, one of the park’s best fall-color viewing areas. The rough trail criss-crosses a stream before turning sharply uphill for a short, steep climb that ends abruptly at a grassy hilltop overlook. Skirt 2 backcountry campsites before the steep descent into Mystic Canyon where you might spot exotic animals such as whitetail deer, wild pig, armadillos and the free-range Aoudad sheep, a big-game hunting species imported from Africa.
At mile 3, a kiddie-pool sized pond—the “wishing well”—makes a welcome resting point, but don’t throw any pennies into its crystal-clear shallows… two wish-worthy swimming holes are just 0.7 mile farther down the West Trail. Next to a 20-tent backcountry campground, the second, larger (and cliff-shaded) pond is the popular choice for a refreshing dip. The loop’s final mile crosses Can Creek 5 times as it descends toward the parking lot.
For an easier variation on this route: Follow the loop counterclockwise—the more popular direction—for easier, more gradual climbs. Bring your Texas State Park Pass, or expect to pay per-person day-use fees for anyone over the age of 13.
-Mapped by Melissa Stolasz
TO TRAILHEAD: Head north on TX 16, continuing through Bandera to FM 337. After 20 miles, turn right onto FM 187. In 4.9 miles, turn left into Lost Maples State Natural Area and continue 0.8 mile before turning left to the trailhead.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Lost Maples Loop
| Distance: 4.79 mi | Points: 563 |
Points of Interest
LMA001
Location: 29.816305, -99.576795The East Trail begins at the north end of this small parking area. Especially in the spring, stop for a few minutes at the bird blind to eye the electric colors of the painted bunting, or several of its brightly-hued cousins.
LMA002
Location: 29.819274, -99.580207Cross Can Creek and begin a 1.5-mile, rugged uphill through a heavily forested canyon, some of the park's best fall-color viewing.
LMA003
Location: 29.820689, -99.589262The West Trail follows a seasonal creek bed, but you're unlikely to get wet as you criss-cross this hike's puniest waterway. The trickling stream often dips underground and the path traverses several solid slabs of rock along the canyon floor.
LMA004
Location: 29.820391, -99.600205Stop at the grassy summit to soak in the views of Texas Hill Country. This great resting spot sits between two backcountry campgrounds and has a trail system map and a composting toilet.
LMA005
Location: 29.821546, -99.602952The downhill into Mystic Canyon is this route's most rugged terrain. Watch your footing over loose gravel and rock on the steep 0.25-mile descent, but keep an eye out for exotic animals that frequent the park's western edge: free-roaming African sheep, wild pigs and wily armadillos.
LMA006
Location: 29.829476, -99.599261Stay right to continue this mapped route, unless you're looking to add extra miles to your trip. Turning left at this 3-way junction puts you on a 2.5-mile loop toward the park's highest point (about 2,300 feet above sea level) through it's most rugged terrain.
LMA007
Location: 29.830481, -99.593210Don't throw any pennies, but do stop for a rest on the limestone rocks surrounding the kiddie-pool sized "wishing well."
LMA008
Location: 29.826525, -99.586000One of the parks most popular swimming holes, the second one after the wishing well is 15-feet deep, 150-yards long and flanked by steep bluffs on one side. For easy-access swimming in the 70-degree water, head to the backcountry campground on the ponds' eastern edge.
LMA009
Location: 29.825408, -99.585164The well-maintained trail crosses Can Creek's shallow path several times along this scenic stretch of trail. Stepping stones make the easy crossings dry.
Trail
Location: 29.820280, -99.590979The rugged, rocky trail is well-marked and easy to follow along the canyon floor. ©Melissa Stolasz
Summit
Location: 29.819796, -99.599519Several trails converge on the summit, a great spot for a rest and a snack, but a trail map helps guide the way to Mystic Canyon. ©Melissa Stolasz
Swimming Hole
Location: 29.826535, -99.586129This swimming hole is one of the park's most popular destinations, for obvious reasons, but there are few swimmers on cold, cloudy days. ©Melissa Stolasz
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