Field Trip: Native Plant Hike at Russell Park

— by Gary Bowers

What: Native Plant Hike at Russell Park
When: 8:30 AM – 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 11, 2024
- Please plan on arriving 10-15 mins early. Once we have everyone signed in we’ll start hiking at 8:30 AM.
Where: Good Water Loop Trailhead Parking at 2101 County Road 262, Georgetown, TX, 78633

Our field trip is free and open to the public.

This hike is a great opportunity to learn about some great native plants around Lake Georgetown while getting a bit of exercise. This hike will be an out and back with a total length of 3 miles. The expected duration is between 2 and 2.5 hours. We will start at the trailhead for the Good Water Loop and hike down to the small picnic/camping area southwest.

Distance	Climbing Elevation	Difficulty	Trail Surface	Notes
3.0 mi	266 ft	Moderate	Out and back; natural path with rocks and roots	Shady trail to start while navigating through cedar grove. Some inclines and declines before transitioning to a gravel path along lake.

Trail Summary

Who is this hike for?

If you enjoy a moderately paced hike with a few brief stops to learn more about native plants, this is the hike for you.

How difficult is this hike?

We will descend down to the lake and then back up. Most ascents and descents are fairly gradual but there are numerous limestone outcroppings and roots along the first half of the trail. We will be moving at a steady pace between stopping points and stops will be brief.

What should I bring on this hike?

Be prepared for exertion along a trail with unsure footing. We recommend the following for this hike:

Sturdy hiking boots
Hiking poles
Water
Insect spray
Sun protection
Snacks

See photos from other field trips in our album=>

Field Trip Photo Album

April 22, 2024

Plant rescue in Round Rock on April 28, 2024

Volunteer with us Sunday, April 28th, from 8:30-noon in north Round Rock as we rescue plants such as Delphinium carolinianum, Penstemon cobaea and Callirhoe involucrata var. lineariloba from a site prior to construction. There is a parking lot available next to the site. Further details and sign up info can be found on our SignUpGenius page.

Click for Rescue Sign Up Page

You must be a current NPSOT member (any chapter) and at least 18 to attend the plant rescue. (Join NPSOT or renew here.)

Learn more about the Native Plant Rescue Project at this link.

image of Prairie Larkspur, Delphinium carolinianum — Prairie Larkspur, *Delphinium carolinianum*

April 19, 2024

Field Trip: Critchfield Preserve on May 18, 2024

— by Cindy Chrisler

What: Critchfield Preserve Field Trip
When: Saturday, May 18, 2024, 9:30 am to Noon (no entry after 9:45am)
Where: Critchfield Preserve, 801 CR 344, Jarrell, TX 78537
- Directions: Take I-35 north to Exit 277 for CR 305. Go left under the interstate on CR 305 and in 2.3 miles turn right onto CR 344. The preserve entrance is about a mile down CR 344 on the left. You will be guided to a parking area. High clearance vehicles are not required.
Our field trip is free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
1) You must fill out a waiver for the Preserve (in addition to the NPSOT waiver that is signed at all field trips). Download the Preserve’s waiver at this link if you’d like to print and sign it ahead in order to save time at the start of the field trip.
2) Bathrooms are not available.
3) Be on time, as we will close the gates at 9:45am!

Join us to tour this 100+ acre preserve in Jarrell that includes portions of Pecan Creek. There are no trails, and participants should dress for the weather, bring plenty of water, and use bug spray. We will hike around the preserve to places of interest as we look for unusual plants as well as the usual suspects. The terrain is mostly flat but there are rocks and the terrain may be uneven.