Category: Field Trips

Chapter Field Trips

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Field Trip: Booty’s Road Park, Saturday, June 21, 2025

— by Anne Adams

image of Williamson County Winecup, Callirhoe involucrata var. lineariloba
March 2020 at Booty’s Road Park. Williamson County Winecup (Callirhoe involucrata var. lineariloba). Photo by N. Pumphrey.

Join us for an easy hike on a shaded path along the North Fork of the San Gabriel River, beginning at Booty’s Road Park in Georgetown. We will meet at the east end of the parking lot, near the sign for the San Gabriel River Trail. On the hike we’ll stop at a spring-fed rivulet that emerges from a rock layer above the trail and babbles down a fern-covered slope as it winds its way toward the river. The hike will cover approximately 1.5 miles on paved or gravel paths with some gentle ups and downs.

  • What:    Hike along the San Gabriel River Trail in Georgetown
  • When:  Saturday, June 21, 2025, 8:30-11:30 am
  • Where:  San Gabriel River Trail at Booty’s Road Park
  • Our field trips are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

Directions: From I-35 go west on Williams Drive for approximately 1.7 miles. At the light, turn left onto Bootys Crossing Road. Go about 1.3 miles and turn left into Booty’s Road Park. The trailhead is at the east end of the parking lot.

Come dressed appropriately for the weather. We recommend a hat. Bring your own water, bug spray and sunscreen.

If you have questions, please contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here).

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See photos from some of our previous field trips in our Field Trip Album.

Field Trip Album

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Trip Report: Godwin Ranch Preserve

— by Cindy Chrisler

image of blooming flower
Godwin Ranch, May 2025. Photo by Cindy Chrisler.

Fifteen NPSOT members and Good Water Master Naturalists conducted the second plant survey at Godwin Ranch Preserve on Saturday, May 24. The preserve, created as a mitigation for Lakeline Mall in Cedar Park, is tucked away on Williams Drive near DB Wood Road in Georgetown.  It is managed by Eléonore Le Corvaisier, a director of the Texas Cave Management Association.

Fresh faces aided plant identification of the early summer wildflowers in abundance at the preserve.  Over 70 species of plants were observed during the two hours spent leisurely walking the loop and exploring open meadows along the path.  We marveled at the size of Antelope Horns Milkweed pods on several plants deep in the preserve. Notable finds included Meadow Pinks, Firewheel, Pasture Heliotrope, and Prairie Brazoria. 

Other sites of interest along the loop included a kiosk and benches built by local Boy Scout troops, a water guzzler for the wildlife, and karst cave entrances.  The preserve has been explored by the local cave group as well as Nature Trackers. 

The next survey is scheduled for August 24.

image of path in woods
Godwin Ranch, May 2025. Photo by Greg Donica.

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See photos from this trip and others in our album =>

Field Trip Photo Album

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Field Trip Reminder, Saturday, May 24, Godwin Ranch Preserve Plant Survey

— by Cindy Chrisler

  • What:    Plant survey and tour of the Godwin Ranch Preserve
  • When:  9:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Saturday, May 24, 2025
  • Where:  Near the corner of DB Wood Road and Williams Drive in Georgetown. 
  • Members and non-members are welcome! No RSVP is required.

Join NPSOT members on the second of four scheduled plant surveys at the Godwin Ranch Preserve in Georgetown. This 100 acre preserve is a mitigation for the construction of Lakeline Mall in Austin and will not be developed. Plant lists will be combined to form a master list for the preserve.

All levels of plant identification expertise are welcome. Even if you don’t know plants, each participant is an observer and may notice and draw attention to something others do not.

Park at the CVS Pharmacy and walk east along Williams Drive to the gated entrance (a quarter mile or less).  There will be a NPSOT sign at the gate.  If walking that distance is a problem, you may be dropped off at the gate but there is no parking along Williams Drive or in the preserve.

There are no restrooms or water, so please plan accordingly. Bring your own water and snacks.  Wear long pants, closed toed shoes, use bug spray and sunscreen, and wear a hat. 

We will walk around a mostly flat mowed path for about a mile and a half. There are some rocks and stumps that may pose a trip hazard, and walking sticks are recommended. In addition to plants, you will see several species of birds. You may put observations on iNaturalist but please obscure any rare plants.

If you have questions, please contact the Field Trip Committee (contact form here).

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See photos from some of our previous field trips in our Field Trip Album.

Field Trip Album