Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

We're happily settled in at Lady Bird Johnson Municipal RV Park for a few nights in Fredericksburg, TX. Just a few miles North of town lies the wonderful mass of pink granite that is Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.

We'd been warned that the park can get crazy busy so we timed our visit for a weekday and arrived shortly after the park opened at 8:30am, also hoping to beat the heat expected that day.

First we hiked to the top of the highest dome under partly cloudy skies with only one other person in sight. (One other person who happened to be carrying a small person on his back!)

Wear your grippy hiking shoes...the rock is steep!
See the guy above Hans? He's got a large toddler on his back! What a workout!

The sun provided quite a show as we climbed.

The father/son combo above us seems to be on the edge of the world.

From the top of the big dome we looked West as a shaft of sunlight slips across the lesser domes
and a bank of clouds covers much of the Hill Country.

Vernal pools pocket the domes, providing brilliant spring growth in every direction.

We head down the Echo Canyon trail between the domes and start seeing fanciful shapes everywhere.

Giant slabs of granite were flaking off the domes, the work of water and wind and time.

Extravagant blossoms!

Leaving the Loop Trail, we took a side path towards the lesser domes for a little boulder exploring.

Dozens of these perfect little cacti dotted the crevices sporting little white flower buds...
I'd love to see what color the blooms turn out to be!

Water collects in the crevices supporting bountiful spring color, all shades of green and pops of brilliant flowers.

Grottoes of ferns formed under shady rock ledges.

Even the lichens were vivid hues.

Sparkly!

Enchanted Rock was truly enchanting! Don't miss it if you are in the area, but beware of the crowds of visitors. By the time we left the expansive parking areas were at least half full and this was on a Thursday.