Archive for May 27th, 2009

The Water at Lost Maples

Wednesday, May 27th, 2009

Passport to Texas From Texas Parks and Wildlife

Just seeing all those maple trees in one location and when the weather changes it’s just so beautiful up there.

Which state park this visitor is talking about?

I’m Kevin Barker and I visited Lost Maples over there in the Hill country Area.

This gorgeous park got its name from the rare pocket of Big Tooth Maples that fill the area. But hike around, like Kevin, and you’ll find plenty other natural gems!

What I also enjoyed was finding little pockets of springs where the water was coming up through the aquifer and just kind of dipping in. You know, when you’re walking around in 90 degree heat on top of the mountain, it was real nice to kick off your shoes and kind of jump in with your bathing suit and cool off a little bit. So it was real neat.

Beyond the inviting refreshment of its pools, Lost Maples Park Superintendent, John Stuart, says those same waters quench the thirst of Central Texans…and it’s like drinking ancient history.

We’re right at the head waters of the Sabinal River and it comes out of springs out of the sides of the hills and caves and then it flows on down and most of the water drops into the Edwards Aquifer and then goes back over towards Austin. And they say it takes a thousand years for the water to get from here to there. Geologically speaking that’s just a blink, but it’s quite a long time for a man.

That’s our show…with research and writing help from Sarah Loden… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.