Making a day trip to escape Houston this Saturday. Any hidden gems that are a must other than scaling the mound? I am brining my fly road to see if I cant land a couple of perch there at moss lake right on site.

I enjoy the hike between the two domes. That is a nice area and you can get to the lake that way.

Bring a flashlight and go thru the cave while you're at the top.

Long day trip from Houston. Lots of great Bed and Breakfasts in Fritztown

• Yeah, rattlesnakes. I grew up not far from there and use to visit the rock several times a year but will admit that I haven't been there in five or six years now. The view from the top is absolutely amazing especially on a clear day. Unfortunately it's that time a year when snakes become active after laying low all winter. Snakes will avoid the trails leading up to the base if there are a lot of people but don't be suprised to see one or two sunning themselves on a flat rock in the early morning or late afternoon. If you feel spunky and want to walk around on the jumbled rocks and boulders at the bottom be prepared to hear those snakes living under those big rocks sound off Not trying to scare you as your chance of a bad encounter is low but just be aware. When finished Fredericksburg for a cold beer and food is always good.

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I enjoy the hike between the two domes. That is a nice area and you can get to the lake that way.

Bring a flashlight and go thru the cave while you're at the top.

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Same here. We found the cave at the top last time we were there. I didn't even know it was there.

The hike through Echo Canyon has always been a favorite.

The cave is a must at least once and the middle dome is fun to play on and under appreciated. Turkey Peak is also a great view.

What's the chance that OP may be sitting in a long car line to get into the park?

In my scout troop we used show up late friday night to hike under the full moon, no flashlights between the mounds (or boobs at that poignant time) to the primitive camping on the other side. Then the next morning climb to the summit of one them and get lost or claustrophobic in the caves.

good times.

Apparently it's a great place to take your side chicks. I knew a guy from San Antonio who always made that his first 'date' for his mistresses. Got to see them in athletic wear and away from anyone that knew his wife.

Get there before it opens. Parking and access is limited. Loved growing up there, hope to get back there some day. Spring breaks going on right now through the state. My parents have a B&B there and they are booked pretty much through the month.

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I enjoy the hike between the two domes. That is a nice area and you can get to the lake that way.

Bring a flashlight and go thru the cave while you're at the top.

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Cave and, also, that trail is named Echo Canyon. Enjoy the scenery and hit up Jennies Smoked Burgers and Tornado Fries in Fresericksburg afterwards.

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Apparently it's a great place to take your side chicks. I knew a guy from San Antonio who always made that his first 'date' for his mistresses. Got to see them in athletic wear and away from anyone that knew his wife

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Says the guy named Loverboy.

Some old timers told me how back in the day they use to drive their jeeps to the top. Back before it was protected. Not sure if true but always thought that would be cool to do.

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Some old timers told me how back in the day they use to drive their jeeps to the top. Back before it was protected. Not sure if true but always thought that would be cool to do.

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TPWD no longer allows dogs to the top either.

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Some old timers told me how back in the day they use to drive their jeeps to the top. Back before it was protected. Not sure if true but always thought that would be cool to do.

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TPWD no longer allows dogs to the top either.

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Really? When did that happen? It's been years but I remember dogs going up. And I remember dogs walking gently on the way back down. That granite was tough on their pads.

This year. Still allowed on the loop trail, but no longer on dome.

Irresponsible pet owners not picking up dog **** from what I understand.

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What's the chance that OP may be sitting in a long car line to get into the park?

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The odds are very good. Fiance and I got a cabin outside of Fredericksburg for the last weekend of February. We went out there around noon on Saturday and they had just closed the park due to being over capacity, were supposed to open again in about an hour. They wouldn't even allow a line along the road. We went back to our cabin, and came back around 4pm, same thing. Told us 30min or so and they'd open up, but they did allow a small car line to form along the shoulder.

So, good luck.

Park ranger here- left E-rock about 5 months ago for a promotion at another state park.
A few words of advise for all -

-Get there early! A spring weekend will see thousands of visitors and the park is simply not designed/equipped to handle the mass of humanity. There will be lines, crowds and waits.

-Hit up Little Rock, Freshman peak and flag pole. These are beautiful areas that are largely avoided by the masses.

-hit up the cave before it closes. They are working on doing that now. My last day there we had aS&R on a lady that fell/got trapped that lasted over 8 hours and involved a heli landing on the summit. That got the ball rolling on closing the cave.

-we found that dogs were doing some pretty extensive damage to the vernal pools on the summit. They hadn't had that rule when I left but I'm glad they made it.

Sorry for grammar on the iPhone!!

If you find a pair of black Oakleys at the bottom of the cave they are mine!

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If you find a pair of black Oakleys at the bottom of the cave they were mine!

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If you find a pair of black Oakleys at the bottom of the cave they are mine!

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