Lost Maples State Natural Area

Park Alert...

2014 Lost Maples State Natural Area Foliage Color Change Report

Nov. 24, 2014 Report: This is the last report of the season. We want to thank you for your support and your patience during our busiest time. The main color is on the drive in and at the Day Use Area. The canyon walls still have some colors in the leaves but they are falling fast. The color left on the Maple Trail is scattered and has a few trees with color. This year we have not seen much red in the leaves but the orange, yellow and pink were good. There still may be some scattered color through Thanksgiving but one good wind could move those leaves to the ground. The Red Oaks are turning and soon they will look like a green tree with dark red ornaments on it. Lost Maples is really a special place this time of year even without the colorful maple leaves on the trees so come see us.

TPWD photos taken on 11/22 and 24/2014 by Richard Treece
Fall foliage pic taken 11/22/2014 by Richard Treece  Fall foliage pic taken 11/24/2014 by Richard Treece 
Fall foliage pic taken 11/24/2014 by Richard Treece  Fall foliage pic taken 11/24/2014 by Richard Treece


Nov. 17, 2014 Report: The weather has turned colder than expected with two nights in the high twenties (ºF). The strong winds with these fronts often knock the leaves off the trees quickly; these high winds have started blowing the leaves off the trees and we are losing color fast. The best color is on the Maple Trail on the way to primitive area A. The trees on the trail to the pond are fading fast and losing leaves quickly. Next weekend I believe that there will be scattered color in the park from trees yet to change but I think this years best color may be over quickly due to the changing weather. The park is still beautiful this time of year and the Red Oaks are starting to change to a beautiful shade of red. 

TPWD photos taken on 11/17/14 by Richard Treece
View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014  View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014  View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014  View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014  View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014  View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014  View a larger version of this Lost Maples Fall Foliage photo from November 17, 2014


Nov. 10, 2014 Report: The weather is beginning to get cold. There is a weather front on its way and it’s predicted to arrive Wednesday bringing low temperatures near freezing. As of today, the maple trees have not completed their changes. While some have started to change colors, a large number of the trees are still green. We have colorful leaves on trees scattered throughout the park, although some have already lost their leaves. The mild weather has delayed the color change but with this front we should start seeing the remainder of the trees turn in the next week or two. We could have color through Thanksgiving but Mother Nature could change her mind and change things on us again. The park is beautiful right now and it’s a great time to hike, so bring the family and enjoy the beautiful views. This month is our busiest time of the year because so many want to see the color change, expect a wait to enter the Natural Area.

These pictures are from the East trail about 1\4-mile past the end of the Maple trail and the trail to the pond.

TPWD photos taken on 11/10/14 by Richard Treece
Lost Maples fall foliage pic from November 10, 2014 - View a larger image Lost Maples fall foliage pic from November 10, 2014 - View a larger image  Lost Maples fall foliage pic from November 10, 2014 - View a larger image  Lost Maples fall foliage pic from November 10, 2014 - View a larger image
 Lost Maples fall foliage pic from November 10, 2014 - View a larger image


Nov. 3, 2014 Report: The maple trees are starting to turn and can be seen from all over the natural area. The recent cold front brought a 38 degree low temperature to the natural area last Friday which helped start the trees changing color. We believe that it may be within a week or two that the best color will be seen. The colors are good now on the East Trail to the Pond. The Maple Trail and the East Trail to the Grotto are also showing color but we still have plenty of trees that have not started to change yet.

TPWD photos taken on 11/03/14 by Richard Treece
View a larger image of this fall foliage photo from November 3, 2014 View a larger image of this fall foliage photo from November 3, 2014  View a larger image of this fall foliage photo from November 3, 2014  View a larger image of this fall foliage photo from November 3, 2014
 View a larger image of this fall foliage photo from November 3, 2014


Oct. 27, 2014 Report:  The maple trees on the east trail above monkey rock are changing to show the colors of fall. I believe that the best color is about two weeks away but things are really beautiful in the park now. The walnut trees are putting on their yellow color and the Lacy Oaks are starting to change. The drive from Bandera and Medina will be beautiful when the Bald Cypress trees turn to a golden red color. The maple trees on FM 337 will start changing near the Siesta Valley Ranch ten miles west of Medina. The drive to the park is beautiful, so come enjoy the drive and then hike the park.

TPWD photos taken on 10/27/14 by Richard Treece
View a larger image of this fall foliage photo from November 3, 2014 Fall foliage picture from October 27, 2014  Fall foliage picture from October 27, 2014  Fall foliage picture from October 27, 2014


Oct. 20, 2014 Report:  A hand full of trees are starting to show color on a few leaves. The maples are still green primarily because we need some temperatures in the high thirty degree range and so far we have had two nights in the low to middle forties. The high temperatures in the eighty to low nineties do not help the trees to prepare for winter with sugar production. You could ask the weathermen to get us some cold fronts in this area because Mother Nature is not working with us right now.

The sunflowers on the east trail are beautiful; watch for the bees gathering food for the winter. The drive out here is also such a pleasure with beautiful views and changes in the color of the walnut trees, sycamore trees and soon the bald cypress trees will be turning a golden red color.

TPWD photos taken on 10/20/14 by Richard Treece
Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014 Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014 Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014 Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014 Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014 Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014 Lost Maples Pic from Oct. 20, 2014


Oct. 16, 2014 Report:  Finally we have a good cold front to tell the trees it’s time to change colors. This front should jump start the process for the trees to begin the fall color change. The maples are in good shape for the start of sugar production begun by the cold weather, creating the beautiful colors of fall. The springs in the park are flowing very well and have helped maintain our trees. We believe that the color changes could occur around the first week of November. Don’t wait till the color change to come see us, the weather and temperature are perfect for hiking right now.


Oct. 13, 2014 Report:  The trees at Lost Maples are awaiting cold weather to kick start the color change. Depending on the weather, they are at least two weeks away from having significant color in the leaves. The sunflowers are in bloom on the east trail and with the mild temperatures and lack of crowds, conditions for hiking and walking are great now, so come on out and see us.


Oct. 6, 2014 Report:  Lost Maples is almost at that time of year when the maple trees put on their show. The trees are in good shape and awaiting cold weather to kick start the fall. We are at least three weeks away from having color, depending on the weather.

The Maximilion sunflowers are in bloom on the east trail, with bees taking advantage of the available pollen and food for the fall. The hiking and nature walks are great now with the mild temperatures.

Come out and see us when you can for a great day in the park!

TPWD photos taken on 10/6/14 by Richard Treece
Lost Maples photo from October 6, 2014 Lost Maples photo from October 6, 2014 Lost Maples photo from October 6, 2014 Lost Maples photo from October 6, 2014