Colorado Bend / Enchanted Rock - 2009 Fall Excursion

WHO
This trip is for anyone and everyone that wants to go: men, women, kids, and pets. We will be car-camping so hiking and climbing activities are not necessary if you just want to enjoy nature at camp. We will be camping in tents so be prepared with a tent or bivy suitable for mixed weather. There are no showers and only composting toilets available at Colorado Bend State Park but Enchanted Rock State Park does have bathrooms and showers..

WHERE
Camping
Colorado Bend State Park
Box 118
Bend, TX 76824
(325)628-3240
- View Map -

Visiting
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Rd 965
Fredericksburg TX 78624
(830) 685-3636
- View Map -

Unfortunatly, all the camping sites at Enchanted Rock are booked well into December so we can hit up Colorado State Park to camp and hike instead.  If we want, we can drive the hour or two over to Enchanted Rock to climb and hike.

WHEN
Friday December 4, 2009 - Arriving and Camping at Colorado Bend
Saturday, December 5, 2009 - Visiting Enchanted Rock and then Camping at Colorado Bend
Sunday, December 6, 2009 - Leaving camp at 2:00PM or sooner

COST
Colorado Bend
• $4 per person 13 and older to enter park (unless you have a State Park Pass per vehicle)
• $12 per night for a campsite (maximum 8 people allowed per campsite)
• $2 fee for vehicles not paying for overnight campsite

Enchanted Rock
• $6 per person 13 and older to enter park (unless you have a State Park Pass per vehicle)

WHAT YOU NEED

Camping
 3-Season Tent (with stakes and fly)
 Tent Tarp or Footprint
 Shelter Tarp or Visor (for rain)
 Sleeping Bag
 Pillow
 Extra Fleece Blankets (for cold weather)
 Sleeping Pad (or air mattress)
 Lantern
 Flashlight(s)
 Lighter, Matches, or Flint
 Gas Stove (charcoal permitted)
 Cookware, Cups and Utensils
 Insect Repellent (just in case)
 Latchable Cooler
 Dog Water/Food Bowl
 Dog Blanket
 Firewood (only if there is no burn ban in affect)
 First-Aid Kit
 Medication/Vitamins
 Camp Towels
 Water Jugs
 Hand Wipes and Hand Sanitizer
 Toilet Paper
 Knife or Multi-Tool

Food and Drink
Friday
 Dinner
 Water, Drink Mixes, Sport Drinks, Soda
 Alcohol (State Parks do not allow any public consumption or open containers)
Saturday
 Breakfast
 Lunch (possibly on the go during hiking)
 Dinner
 Snacks, Energy Bars, Candy Bars
 GORP and/or Trail-mix
 Water, Drink Mixes, Sport Drinks, Soda
 Coffee
 Alcohol (State Parks do not allow any public consumption or open containers)
Sunday
 Breakfast
 Coffee
 Snacks
 Water, Drink Mixes, Sport Drinks, Soda

Clothing
 Some thermals or baselayers (for sleeping or cold weather)
 Cool, loose shirt
 Some fast-drying, loose, and durable hiking pants
 Good hiking shoes or boots (for good traction on wet rock)
 Fleece or light jacket (for cool weather)
 Down Jacket or Parka (in case it gets really cold)
 Baseball or sun hat
 Sunglasses
 Good warm thick hiking socks
 Gloves (in case it gets really cold)
 Beanie (for cool weather)
 Bandana
 Watch

Other Gear
 Small Daypack/Hydration Pack (if hiking)
 Water Bottles or Canteen
 Camera
 Compass
 Rock Climbing Shoes (if climbing or bouldering)
 Headlamp or handy flashlight (if caving)
 Crashpad (if bouldering)
 Climbing Rope (if climbing)
 Climbing Harness (if climbing)
 Belay Device (if climbing)
 Plenty of Quickdraws (if climbing)
 Fishing Pole and Tackle Box (if fishing)

AGENDA

Friday
CANT has reserved one campsite for up to 8 people. If you want to go, please get in touch with us as soon as possible through Facebook, text or phone. Campsites go quickly.  A small group will leave Friday morning to 1 reserved campsite for 8 people at Colorado Bend State Park.  The remainder of the groups will leave throughout the day to the park. On your way to the park, call the early group to find out the location of the camp. Once at the park, we will setup camp, eat dinner and relax. Note to the wise, plan on cold weather!

Saturday
The next morning, we will have some options after breakfast.  We can hike around Colorado Bend State Park where there are some very nice trails, caves, and waterfalls. There is also fishing oportunities there without having to purchase a license.

However, whoever wants to go can get up and leave early to drive the couple hours to Enchanted Rock; once there we can hike the dome, rock climb, go caving at the top or just hike.  Quiet time is at 10PM but neither park normally close their gates so we have a lot of time to make the drive worth it.

Once back in Colorado Bend, we will eat dinner and maybe be able to light a fire (depending on burn-bans) to end the evening.

Sunday
After breakfast, we can explore the park some more before packing up and heading out on the road.