Lost Maples State Natural Area

Park Alert...

2005 Lost Maples State Natural Area Foliage Color Change Report

TPWD photo by Chase Fountain
Lost Maples 11/24/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return.
Photo taken on November 24 2005.

11/24/05 Report: Visitors to Lost Maples this Fall were treated to some of the best leaf color seen in several years. The lovely Maple leaves have now fallen to the ground. Lost Maples is a beautiful outdoor destination in any season and the Park welcomes your next visit. Look for the Texas Oaks that dapple the Hill Country to be turning vivid red these last weeks of November. This is the last report of the 2005 season.

11/16/05 Report: For the past two weeks, visitors to the Park have enjoyed some of the best leaf color seen in several years but strong winds from the recent cold front have now caused most of the leaves to drop. A few trees still have a little color in the sheltered canyons of the hiking trails. Look for the Texas Oaks to begin changing these last weeks of November. We still expect heavy crowds on weekends so please plan a weekday visit if possible.

11/09/05 Report: At this time, we are still seeing color in the Maple leaves. Since the cool spell we had at the end of October, the trees that began changing have continued to do so, with some now dropping their leaves. Look for leaf color remaining along the one-mile Park entrance road and the canyon portions of the hiking trails. Unfortunately, the warm and humid weather this past week has delayed any more significant overall change. The area needs a much cooler and drier weather pattern for the color change to continue. The majority of the Texas (Red) Oaks are still green and normally change color during late November. Expect very heavy crowds through the remainder of the month.


TPWD photos taken on 11/08/05 by Jesse Rubio

Lost Maples 11/08/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return. Lost Maples 11/08/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return. Lost Maples 11/08/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return. Lost Maples 11/08/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return. Lost Maples 11/08/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return. Lost Maples 11/08/05 - Click on picture to view a larger image. Use your back button to return.


11/02/05 Report: Last week's cool nights and mild days left the leaves showing more color. We are seeing yellow, orange, and red colors along the canyon walls, on the drive into the Park, and up on the trails. Currently, the Maple Trail is a good bet for color, as is the mile hike on the East Trail to Primitive Area A'. The color change should continue this week, but please note that the color and trail conditions can change quickly due to the weather. Expect very heavy crowds each weekend through Thanksgiving. Please call again for weekly updates and cherish the day.

10/26/05 Report: There is little overall color change to report at this time, but we're happy to report that this past week brought the first cooler and drier weather pattern of the fall season with the first frost recorded on Monday, October 24th. It's still a bit early for the primary color change to occur, but there is some sporadic color up in the canyons where it remains cooler throughout the day. The trees will need a prolonged period of drier and cooler weather soon for a significant color change to occur. Reservations are recommended for overnight visits. If you'd like to visit just for the day, it's best to come early on the weekdays.

10/19/05 Report: It is difficult to predict how dramatic the color change will be this year and it is still early for the primary color change to occur. There has been very little difference since last week's report: We are starting to see some leaves in the early stages of change but most are still green, while some are turning brown and dropping off early. So far, this October there has been a pattern of above-average temperatures and humidity, with just a brief cool spell. We hope cooler temperatures arrive as predicted for the upcoming weekend, since the trees need a prolonged period of drier, cooler weather for a significant color change to occur. Please plan a weekday visit if possible as the weekends usually have heavy crowds.

10/13/05 Report: There is still no color change to report. In addition to the temperature being unseasonably warm, the park had almost 3 inches of rain this past week. These conditions do not promote wide color change in the leaves. If cool, dry weather doesn't appear soon, the color change will be very muted this year. However, smiles abound year round. The park is starting to have large crowds on the weekends, so if possible plan a weekday visit to avoid the congestion.

10/05/05 Report: At this time, there is no color change to report and it is too early to predict. The best color time usually occurs from early to mid November. The weather conditions during October and early November are the most critical for fall colors as cool and dry conditions will produce a more colorful change but warm, wet and cloudy conditions will not. Let's hope for some cool, sunny weather soon. Now is a good time to camp and hike at the park before the larger crowds arrive. For overnight visits we recommend making reservations.