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We have thousands upon thousands of people come out here
in the Fall to come see the foliage change.
Some years it's just absolutely gorgeous with the color change.
In a state where much of the landscape remains the same
year-round,
the change of seasons at Lost Maples State Natural Area
can be a spectacular sight.
These hill country canyons are home to trees
that are believed to be relics of the last ice age.
We have uncommon stands of Uvalde bigtooth maples
here in the park.
There's not many bigtooth maples in North America.
We're just blessed with a tremendous amount of them
here in the upper end of the Sabinal river valley.
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Lost Maples is so popular during the Fall
that it tends to get overlooked at other times of the year.
Lost Maples is just a gorgeous park.
It has almost 2200 acres of back country
and just beautiful steep canyon walls
and a river running down through the middle of this park.
Even if there isn't a color change going on,
there is a change going on.
Over the last few weeks we've had quite a few blossoms
appearing, the mountain laurels have just been gorgeous.
Spring wildflowers are starting to bloom right now
and it changes week to week.
If you're into birding, you know about Lost Maples.
The tall trees and clear waters combine to make Lost Maples
a great habitat for birds,
including several endangered species.
I came here to try and photograph
the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo.
I have had limited success so far.
I only got 2 pictures of the golden-cheeked warbler
and about half a dozen exposures
of the black-capped vireo.
So I guess I cannot complain too bad but
I would like to take some more pictures before I go.
Hikers can explore the 11 miles of trails
that wind the banks of the Sabinal river,
winding through the thick woods past rocky outcroppings
and, if you can handle, it
to the top of a 2200 foot ridge.
You've got to go from the valley floor to the top of the ridge
to make a whole loop so
we force you to get a good heart rate increase
and get your lungs opened up really well.
The view is well worth the hike up.
No matter when you visit, Lost Maples is as beautiful
as it is unique.
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I know now why people call the hill country paradise.