Autumn in the Hill Country and Canyon Lake

The long hot summer days can make outdoor activities challenging unless water is involved. November and December are perfect months for getting outside to enjoy many of the natural attractions Canyon Lake and the surrounding Hill Country offer. Below is a quick list of some of my favorite outdoor cool month activities:

• Hiking around the lake and along the Guadalupe River.
• Fishing on Canyon Lake.
• Fly Fishing on the Guadalupe River. We are now in trout stocking season.
• Winetasting While not an entirely outside activity I think walking amongst the vines counts.
• Canyon Lake Gorge is an educational and exhilarating hike with fossils and dinosaur footprints.

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The Tiny Texas House is making headlines

Over the last couple of weeks we have received some great press on our Tiny Texas House.  The Tiny Texas House is constructed of recycled materials from old houses that were torn down.  While a stay in the Tiny House is not everybody’s cup of tea it does provide a memorable experience for those willing to tackle the loft.  The amenities include a private hot tub, gas grill and satellite tv.  Here are the links to a MSN article and an Express News article.

MSN

Express News

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What is there to do in the Hill Country this time of year?

I am asked the above question usually when I have a prospective guest on the phone (sometimes I am asked the question after they have checked in to the B&B).  I can easily answer the question of  “what is there to do” without hesitation in the warm summer months.  A few suggestions that come to mind are tubing the Guadalupe River, boating on Canyon Lake and taking a dip in the pool at the B&B.  Come January and February, however, answering the question becomes slightly more challenging, but not impossible.  Below are a few suggestions for fun when the weather is cool.

Go explore a cave or even better a cavern!  Natural Bridge Caverns ( 20 minutes by car from the B&B) offers adventure tours that take you deep underground where the temperature remains a constant 70 degrees year round with 99 % humidity.  So when the wind is blowing and the temperature is 40 degrees  you can explore the many chambers underground at a comfortable 70 degrees.  http://www.naturalbridgecaverns.com/

Try staying indoors while tasting some wine.  The Texas Hill Country is one of the fasted wine destination regions in the country ( second only to Napa).  Here is a link to  a printable Texas Wine Trail Map http://www.texaswinetrail.com/map.html .

Shopping, shopping, shopping.  Spend the day in San Marcos at the outlet malls  or even Cabelas in Kyle. 

Hike one of our many trails around Canyon Lake or take a guided tour of the Canyon Lake Gorge.

Wimberley Zipline Adventures .  Ok, I know this is an outdoor activity but lets face it; there are plenty of mild winter days in Texas where zipping from hilltop to hilltop would be perfect.

Drive the scenic River Road between Sattler and Gruene.

The pace really slows down out here in the winter (as if it could get any slower).   The summer tourists are gone.  The Guadalupe River and Canyon Lake are empty and thus serene.  The winter sunsets seem to be more brilliant somehow.  If I were asked my favorite time out here at the lake I would say without hesitation it is now.

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Canyon Lake Gorge…Rocks

Here is a link to the Canyon Lake Gorge slideshow: http://www.canyongorge.org/media/videos/5/gorge-documentary-clip .

The 2002 Flood

The flood beginning July 4, 2002 was the first time that floodwaters flowed over the Emergency Spillway since the Reservoir was completed in 1964.

The upper part of the Guadalupe River Watershed officially received 34 inches of rain in approximately one week. (see the Canyon Lake tab for more info)

All lakeside and River Road campers were evacuated and parks closed.

When the floodwater was at peak flow, it was moving at about 67,000 cfs* approximately 7 feet above the Spillway. Normal flow from the reservoir is 350 cfs with a maximum release of 5000 cfs.

Just under 1-1/2 times the amount of water stored in the lake (at normal level) went over the Spillway during the flood event.

Water continued to flow over the Spillway for approximately 6 weeks. Rocks, trees, logs, and other flood debris piled up in the Guadalupe River and created a huge blockage. Flooding continued from the dam to the Gulf Coast. (Information taken from Canyon Lake Gorge Website)

I took the Gorge Tour about two years ago.  It is absolutely amazing that this natural marvel is in my backyard.  The tours are by appointment only so you must visit the Canyon Lake Gorge website in order to sign up.  It is a three-hour tour so bring water and wear good shoes or hiking boots.  If you still have energy following the tour I recommend walking across the dam.  It is about  a mile over and back.  The views are some of the best of Canyon Lake. 

If you still have enough motivation after hiking the Gorge and the Canyon Dam trail get back in you car and drive the South Access Road just about half way past the dam.  Look for a small “Nature Trail Sign” pull over and park.  You will find the entrance to the Guadalupe River Trail.  The trail closely follows the Guadalupe River as it leaves the dam. 

In another post I will introduce the trails located on the North Shore of Canyon Lake.

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