0000925030 00000 n The biggest exposures are 0.85 miles north of the Loop/Summit junction. 0000968185 00000 n 0000827432 00000 n
0000920051 00000 n The Summit Trail to Enchanted Rock is 0.7 miles long and climbs over 400 feet, mostly on smooth granite slopes. There are good views here of the valley and of the Cretaceous mesa to the east and south. 0001008703 00000 n Although we are high above the surrounding valleys, we are still lower than the rim of the Cretaceous mesa (part of the Edwards Plateau) to the south. 0000966890 00000 n Reed, 2011, Geology and geomorphology of the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, central Texas: Austin Geological Society Field Trip Guidebook 32, 45 p. Located 7.5 miles east of Pedernales Falls, Hamilton Pool is a Cretaceous section similar to Pedernales Falls. (car stops; viewpoints or roadcuts; fully accessible; may have curbs). Today's streams are eroding the carbonates and exposing (exhuming) the old hill. 0000825995 00000 n The complex margin of the granite intrusion and its surrounding metamorphic rocks (into which the granite intruded) are exposed along the Loop Trail north of the Summit Trail.
0000981185 00000 n 0000931255 00000 n points due to COVID-19. 0000987967 00000 n
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0000964773 00000 n We needed to make reservations beforehand online to go, but it wasn’t difficult. The sheer granite dome, with its views in all directions and vernal pools hosting a variety of plant and animal life, is a source of natural and spiritual grandeur to thousands of visitors each year. 0000973814 00000 n Water promotes weathering of biotite and other minerals in the rock, leading eventually to a grus, or pea gravel of feldspar and quartz. 0000940310 00000 n 0000811458 00000 n 0000827130 00000 n
Access level: 0
The weathered granite of Enchanted Rock and nearby granite knobs glow even more intensely pink in the sunsetPhoto courtesy of David Stephens, A shallow, water filled tinaja atop Enchanted Rock at sunset Photo courtesy of Tracey Terall, Hikers scale the exposed granite pluton; large blocks and weathered slabs come to rest in various depressions on the slope.Photo courtesy of David Stephens, A slope formed by wash erosion, Turkey Peak in the distance, Various erosional features and thick granite exfoliation slabs slowly slide down the slopePhoto courtesy of Tracey Terall, Wildflowers grow in abundance on the banks of Moss Lake on the northwest side of Enchanted RockPhoto courtesy of Tracey Terall, Light pink quartz-feldspar veins in an exposed, folded section of gneiss. 0000958675 00000 n Reserve day passes here or by calling 512-389-8900 before you visit. Explore Enchanted Rock - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. 0000825667 00000 n Reserve three weeks in advance because we reserved two weeks before coming... Gorgeous view--just really difficult to do in the summer. There is a critical water shortage at Enchanted Rock SNA. 0001008781 00000 n 0000962623 00000 n Moderate difficulty going up.
0000944882 00000 n 0000925108 00000 n 0000925310 00000 n �y#8����8M��L�(�TCR�`�g��p�y Reservations were easy to make.
0000007218 00000 n 0000937581 00000 n As temperatures fluctuate, particularly in the evening, the rock can be heard groaning and creaking—a once-mysterious trait that lends itself to legends of the "enchanted" nature of the park. 0000972533 00000 n From this viewpoint, we can see Turkey Peak to the east and Little Mountain to the southwest. 0000932371 00000 n 0000948503 00000 n FOR GROUP CAMP: There is no access from the main park to the Group Camping area.