hiking trails – Page 4 – NPSOT-Williamson County Chapter

November 9, 2023November 10, 2023

Field Trip: River Ranch Field Trip, Sunday, November 26, 2023

[Updated 11/10, to add estimate of distance (about a mile)]

— by Sue Wiseman

What: River Ranch County Park Field Trip
When: 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM, Sunday, November 26, 2023
Where: 2100 County Road 279, Liberty Hill, Texas
Our field trip is open to the public. There is a park entry fee: ages 13-64 @ $4 per person; over 65 @ $2 per person.

Imagine it’s the Sunday afternoon following Thanksgiving. Are you stuffed from all the food? Tired of the relatives? Well, we have just the solution — a walk in River Ranch County Park on November 26, 2023, from 2-4:30 PM.

When you arrive at the park, proceed to the parking lot at the Interpretive Center. We’ll meet at the Trailhead to walk to the Bell Oak, one of the two large Heritage Live Oaks. It’s a gentle uphill hike there and downhill on the way back. The round trip is about a mile. Please wear long pants and closed toe shoes. A hat and sunscreen are recommended. Bring your water. After our hike, which is a loop, we will head to the Interpretive Center for a tour of the facilities.

If you are coming from the Georgetown area, due to construction in Liberty Hill, we recommend taking Ronald Reagan Blvd. Take a right onto Hero Way; and then head north on Bagdad Road (CR279) to arrive at the park on your left.

If you are coming from another direction, we recommend taking any east-west thoroughfare north of RR1431 to reach Bagdad Road (CR279).

We will have a sign at the Park Entrance and a sign at the turnoff in the park by the Interpretive Center.

We look forward to getting you off the couch and away from the house.

If you have a question, click on Contact Us to send it to the Field Trip Committee.

August 23, 2023

Field Trip: San Antonio Botanical Garden, Saturday, September 30, 2023

What: San Antonio Botanical Garden Guided Tour
When: 10:00 AM – 12 PM, Saturday, September 30, 2023
- Meet at 9:30 AM , at the main entrance kiosk, so the tour can start promptly at 10:00
Where: 555 Funston Place, San Antonio, TX 78209 (210-536-1400)
RSVP: Our field trip is free and open to the public, but please RSVP (instructions below)
(After the tour, those who wish to stay will meet for lunch at Good Time Charlie’s, 2922 Broadway, San Antonio.)

Our field trip is on Saturday, September 30, from 10am to 12pm. Meet at 9:30am so we can start the tour at 10:00 sharp. We’ll meet at the kiosk at the Garden’s main entrance.

The tour is approximately two hours and you are welcome to further explore the Garden after the tour ends. Participants on the tour will explore the Garden’s extensive native plant collections, including rare and endangered species; gain insights into the significance of native plants in supporting local ecosystems; learn about the Garden’s conservation efforts and initiatives to protect endangered plant species; and be able to ask all kinds of questions of the Garden’s knowledgeable horticulture staff.

Water bottles can be refilled and snacks are available at the gift shop but no outside food is allowed. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, especially comfortable walking shoes. Be prepared for sun by wearing sunscreen and a hat.

Please RSVP at this link so we have a head count. Please RSVP by Tuesday, September 26. (The San Antonio Botanical Garden normally has an entrance fee. The fee is waived if you are on this field trip.)

NOTE: If you later find out that you cannot attend, please let us know. We’ll inform the Garden so they can plan ahead for the number of expert guides needed that day. Click Contact Us to let us know by email or contact form.

If you have a question before you RSVP, click on Contact Us to send your question by email or contact form.

Aerial view of garden — Meet you at the San Antonio Botanical Garden!

June 12, 2023June 14, 2023

Field Trip Report: Beautiful Vistas at Tejas Park

— by Nancy Pumphrey

We wish all of you could have been with us on the field trip to Tejas Park on Saturday, June 10. The first part of the walk was through the woods with sightings of American germander, snapdragon vine, and black-eyed Susan. The river was on the left and we peeked down there. We pressed on and walked out to the open area.

group of people on field trip — Tejas Park field trip, June 10, 2023

WOW, what a sight! The whole field was blooming! Monarda, American basket-flower, black-eyed Susan, Indian blanket, prairie acacia. Then we came upon a devil’s claw (Proboscidea louisianica), another great sight. Then a dung beetle came by pushing a piece of dung 10 times bigger than itself… But the star of the day was the American basket-flower. It was so stunning to see so much of it in full bloom.

We wound up the walk with lots of water and Sue’s lavender brownies. It was a beautiful day and a great field trip. Hope you can come with us next time.

image of American basket-flowers — American basket-flowers, Centaurea americana

image of black-eyed Susans — American basket-flowers, Centaurea americana

Photos by Nancy Pumphrey

Click the button to see photos from some of our past field trips.

Field Trip Photo Album