Tag: field trips

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Nov 25th’s Field Trip Report: No mall? No problem.

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Prairie Fleabane

— by Cindy Chrisler

Ten intrepid NPSOT-Wilco members assembled at the parking lot outside Cedar Breaks Park for a Black Friday Opt-Out walk on the Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail.

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In spite of the gloom and chill, there were flowers, grasses, and lovely fall foliage along the trail.  Recent rains gave native plants a late season boost, and gum weed, palafoxia, and snakeweed were abundant.  We also observed fleabane, buffalo bur, prairie clover, and goldenrod.  This area will be positively covered with bluebonnets next spring!  A surprise in the spillway meadow included an established stand of cenizo.

Left: Maiden Fern

Hike leader Anne Adams saved the best for last along the 1.5 mile trail, taking us to a cliff where we found sevenleaf creeper, black maidenhair fern, and maiden fern (Pelazoneruon spp).  The leisurely walk culminated back at the parking lot, a little later than expected, as we enjoyed the company as well as the flora on the trail.

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Sevenleaf Creeper

Photos by Cindy Chrisler

(Click here for information about the trail we walked.)

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Red Oak

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Field Trip: Sunday, January 1, 2023, Tree Walk, Old Settlers Park@1pm

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— by Kathy Galloway

  • What: Tree Walk
  • When:  Sunday, January 1, 2023, 1:00pm-3:30pm
  • Where:  Old Settlers Park in Round Rock, starting at the Rabb Pavilion, 3079 Whitlow Way, Round Rock, TX

Start your New Year’s off with an easy walk with a FUN group. Learn about identifying trees without leaves. The walk is 1.8 miles.

Come dressed appropriately for the weather,  Bring your own water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat, walking stick, etc.  Open to the public and there is no charge.  All ages are welcome.

Reservations are not required. Please feel free to contact Kathy Galloway (contact form here) beforehand if you have any questions. We will follow the latest CDC instructions for Covid safety.

Directions:

  • From Interstate 35, take Old Settlers Blvd east for 4.6 miles.
  • Turn right on Harrel Parkway into Old Settlers Park for 1.3 miles.
  • Turn left onto Whitlow Way towards the parking for the Rabb Pavilion.
  • Meet on the concrete path just off main parking lot.

There’s parking at the Rabb Pavilion.  We’ll meet on the concrete pathway just off of the pavilion’s main parking lot.

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satellite image of a park
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Field Trip: Friday, November 25, 2022, 1:00pm, Black Friday Opt-Outside, Seek Nature not the Mall

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— from Kathy Galloway

  • What: Black Friday Opt-Outside, Seek Nature not the Mall
  • When: Saturday, November 25, 2022, 1:00pm-3:30pm
  • Where: Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail. Starting from a parking lot across from Cedar Breaks Park, 2100 Cedar Breaks Rd, Georgetown, TX. See detailed directions below.  Note: the trail is outside the park.

Click on the image to enlarge the trail map.

satellite image of hiking trail area
Directions to Lake Georgetown Spillway Trail
  • Turn west on Cedar Breaks Road from D. B. Wood Road:
    • Access D. B. Wood Road from the north by Williams Dr. From Williams Dr. turn south for approximately 1.9 miles, at water tower turn west (right) on Cedar Breaks Rd.
    • Access D. B. Wood Road from the south by University (US 29). From University turn north on D. B. Wood Road and turn west (left) on Cedar Breaks Rd. at the water tower. There is a sign to Cedar Breaks Park.
  • Go about 1.4 miles on Cedar Breaks Rd. Instead of turning left into the park entrance, turn right to a parking lot. The hike will start from the parking lot.
  • It’s helpful if you can carpool. The parking lot is small at this popular hiking trail, so we might have to find overflow parking.

The hike is approximately 1.5 miles. Some parts of the trail are rocky and a little steep.  Come dressed appropriately for the weather and terrain. Bring your own water, bug spray, sunscreen, hat and walking stick.

Our field trips are free and open to the public.

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