Colorado Bend State Park

We finally made it up to Colorado Bend State Park on Monday. It is right in the middle of Texas, but by most people's standards, it is also in the middle of nowhere. Alan has been there many times, but I've never been. He likes introducing me to places for the first time. Especially unique places - and this certainly fit the bill.

The park road in winds through private property and free ranging cattle. The park itself is on the site of the former Gorman and Lemon ranches that were offered to the state in the mid eighties. It does have the same feel as driving on to someone's family ranch land, cattle guards and all. The park is quite primitive and lacks the "family summer camp" amenities and vibe of most state parks. With the exception of our boys, it was quiet and serene, aided also by the lack of cell phone service. 

The boys messing around while I fed Autumn.

The staircase that leads down to the tent camping area (river int he background - which is hard to see because it is swollen and dirty from flood waters).

We decided the "must see" was Gorman Falls, and the best trail to get there was the aptly named, Gorman Falls Trail. There was a bit of confusion at first because the trail guide marks this course as "strenuous" and we were not too sure how to interpret that. Knowing what the boys are capable of, I'm glad we went with our guts and did it anyway... 

This trail is about three miles round trip (straight there and back). There are several ways to get down to Gorman Falls, but this suited our current schedule and interests the most. With the boys running out ahead, as usual, and Autumn papoosed, we headed out.

There's not many photos of our hike because most of the time I'm just trying to keep up. Between the four of us, I'm undoubtedly the slowest, and most out of shape.

We got down to the falls in about forty minutes. The hike was not bad at all and reminded us of our earlier days spent at Guadalupe River State Park, with rocky trails and rolling hills. The most "strenuous" part was at the end where we had to mildly "boulder" a natural rock staircase while holding a coated cable wire railing down to the floor of the valley, at the base of the falls.

From the top of the rock "staircase." 

 Here's a video of the falls...

And a few photos...

The waterfall is magnificent. It is a living sort of thing with plants and algae growing in every nook and cranny. There is water pouring over the cliff as far back as we could see, hitting rocks and plant life on its way down, creating the illusion of hundreds of little waterfalls. There are restricted areas in hopes of keeping people away from the falls and maintaining its surreal, storybook look. A constant mist fills the air and a wet, rain forest-like smell. Alan remembers back when the area could only be accessed in small groups led by a park ranger, to maintain the ecosystem. Thankfully they did away with that and we could move at our own pace.

There is a deck area in the clearing opposite the falls from which you can take in the whole landscape. It is a strange area, unlike anything I've seen in Texas, and I do not believe that photos and videos can do it justice... but we'll try. 

Looking back at the last part of the trail down. It is difficult to tell just how steep it is.

A little hike down from the falls revealed a small cave that the boys all needed to check out.

Pretty good for a family photo.

The boys starting the trip back up.

After a stop in Lampasas for dinner, we were back home for showers and bedtime. It was a full day of perfect weather, nice drive, and a beautiful destination. We look forward to going back in the spring when the trees leaf out again.