Campout at Enchanted Rock

Where: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Who: Group of 17 church friends (including me and Jason)
When: Spring Break 2009
What: Wilderness camping in desertous terrain
About: We arrived to find that the showers were not working due to the recent drought conditions Texas has been under. We were very surprised by this, and fortunately everyone decided we would "survive" and have a GREAT time anyway! The area where we pitched our tents was about a one mile hike from where we parked our cars. We headed down the Echo Canyon trail to get over to the Moss Lake Camping Area. We found a nice area with some trees and vegetation, and pitched our tents. The primitive camping areas have remarkably clean outhouses, however the one closest to us was a bit of a hike. When we first arrived at "the spot" where we thought our six tents would fit, we asked a couple guys at the boyscout encampment nearby--Where is the outhouse for this camping area? They pointed up and beyond their campsite--which seemed like they meant "oh, just right over there"--well it was a good little ways beyond "just over there". It wasn't tooo terribly bad, but last year when we camped in the primitive "Walnut Grove" camping area, the outhouse was a 1-minute walk...literally "just over there."

We enjoyed our time at Enchanted Rock, and would like to share just a few photos...to give the idea of what we did while we were there! Enjoy!
Our friend Sruti and the rest of the group climbing about 1/3 of the way of Enchanted Rock. Near this spot, we took a left to head down the Echo Canyon trail to our campsite at Moss Lake.

This group of giant boulders was not too far from our campsite--probably about 1/4 of a mile away.

Sunset was really beautiful near our campsite. These live-oak trees make a picturesque silhouette at dusk in the evening.

In the distance behind us, Enchanted Rock. This was our resting spot, because we needed a moment or two after climbing back out of Echo Canyon--with many small boulders to traverse.

This view was taken from the parking lot. It is the side of Enchanted Rock. To the right of this shot is the main part of the Rock.

Elvis and Jason on top of Enchanted Rock. In the foreground is a vernal pool which contains an ecosystem where fairy shrimp live.

Me and Jason on top of Enchanted Rock! It is a beautiful view from up there! We love this park! This camping trip was our third time to visit this park.

Our group descending the Rock after enjoying about an hour on the summit and exploring some rocks and boulders along the way.

Desertous scene with prickly pear cacti, a live oak in the background, and a Yucca Plant.

Jason getting out of our tent! Behind our little outdoor abode is the Hardy's and Felix's tents.