Day Trips

Enchanted Rock has been attracting visitors for as long as they have been coming to this part of the world. A hike to the top of the pink granite dome is as exhilarating as it is exhausting -- and the closer you get to the top, the more you realize what a unique and fragile ecosystem it is.

Late last year the state park began a policy of closing to visitors after it fills to capacity and reopening at 5pm. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict when or if the park will reach capacity, so a phone call will only tell you if it is open at that time (915/247-3903) -- during the hour and a half drive from Austin, conditions can change.

It is worth taking the chance, however, for a visit to the mound the Indians held sacred. The best time to go is on weekdays, or on weekends from December to March. If the park is closed, there are still plenty of other things to do in the area.

Four miles north of the park, Crabapple Crossing Campground offers tent and RV sites as well as a small store. This is a good place to stop and regroup. From here there are plenty of places within reach.

About 20 miles to the north is the legendary barbecue of Llano. You can gorge yourself at Laird's, Brother's, Cooper's, or Inman's barbecue stands, then take a walk around the historic courthouse square or at the park west of town on FM152 to burn off those calories.

About four miles south of Enchanted Rock are the remains of the Crabapple Community, buildings which once housed the settlers. The road leads through rugged and beautiful hills back to TX16.

North of the intersection with TX16 is Bell Mountain and the Oberhellmann Vineyards. The award-winning winery opens to guests on Saturdays, 10am-5pm, March 1 to mid-December. To the north of the winery is the entrance to the Willow City Loop, one of the most scenic country roads in Texas. The street sign for the road is about 2.5 miles from the winery on the right -- if you cross the county line you've gone too far.

If part of your reason for visiting Enchanted Rock is to burn off some energy with the vigorous climb, try Cross Mountain on the northern outskirts of Fredericksburg. From the state park, go south on FM965. There is no fee or maximum occupancy at this peak overlooking the Fredericksburg valley.

Southwest of Fredericksburg, Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park preserves a Hill Country creek ecosystem. The 330-acre recreation area has lots of room to play as well as a nine-hole golf course, playgrounds, picnic tables, pecan grove, and camping.

In Fredericksburg, roam along Main Street, visiting the shops and restaurants. The visitor center at 106 N. Adams (210/997-6523) can provide a map for a driving tour of the German settlement. The Admiral Nimitz Museum, 225 W. Main, is open 8am-5pm. If it's peach season, visit a pick-your-own orchard.

Heading back to Austin on US290, stop at the enchanted village of Luckenbach off FM1376. Grab a cold one and stroll the grounds of this historic settlement or enjoy a game of washers behind the store.

Missing an opportunity to climb Enchanted Rock can be disappointing, but it need not be devastating. When you consider the reasons for limiting the number of visitors, and keep in mind the number of nearby alternatives, maybe it won't be such a hard pill to take.

Coming up...

Texas Film Festival happens at A&M's Rudder Theater Complex, Feb. 21-25. 409/845-6817.

Exploring Grelle, a natural area on Lake Travis, is the next adventure planned by the LCRA on Mar. 10. Other trips are coming up. 473-3532.

Day Trips, Vol.1, a book of the first 100 Day Trips from this column, updated and expanded, is available for $6.95, plus $3.05 for shipping and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, 1712 E. Riverside Dr., Box 156, Austin, TX 78741. n