Lost Maples State Natural Area

Park Alert...

2007 Lost Maples State Natural Area Foliage Color Change Report

11/21/07 Report: Thanksgiving is almost here and it is still an Indian Summer. A cold front is expected tonight, and if it is as cold as predicted the remaining Maples will turn, as well as the Red Oaks that have been on the verge. For this next week low temperatures are predicted to be in the low to mid thirty's, which is what the trees need for color change. Unfortunately, the high temperatures are only going to be in the forties and low fifties. About eighty percent of the Maple leaves are on the ground already, which is normal for this time of year. The Lacy Oaks have not done much yet, but hopefully the cold snap will coax them to change. It is still very busy on weekends, so come out during the week if you can. The road construction on Hwy. 187, between Utopia and Vanderpool, is almost finished but there are still some short traffic delays.

TPWD photos taken on 11/21/07 by John Stuart
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11/14/07 Report: Too many warm nights have hurt the Maple color this year. About twenty percent of the Maples have not turned and the rest did not color up to usual standards. A cold front is expected, but temperatures will only get down to about average for this time of year. The Red Oaks are starting to color up and should be turned in about two to three weeks, a few Lacy Oaks are turning as well. A cold front is expected on Thursday with a low temperatures in the mid-thirties predicted for Friday morning, warming to the seventies for Saturday. Low temperatures for the rest of week are predicted to be in the fifties with highs in the seventies and low percentages of rain. It is still good weather for camping and hiking, so come on out soon.

TPWD photos taken on 11/14/07 by John Stuart
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11/07/07 Report: We are about a week to ten days from peak color at this time. This will not be the best year for color on the Maples. Too much warm weather has been the main culprit, along with many Maples producing large amounts of seed. Maples that produce lots of seed will not make color. The best color in the park is on the East Trail and in the Picnic area. The West Trail is just starting to show small bits of color on the Red Oaks and Lacy Oaks. Low temperatures for the next week are predicted to be in the forties and low fifties with highs in the seventies. Low percentages for rain are predicted, so it will be excellent camping and hiking weather again this week. Remember weekends are very busy so come out during weekdays if possible. Road construction is almost finished on Hwy. 187, but you may still encounter some delays between Utopia and Vanderpool.

TPWD photos taken on 11/07/07 by John Stuart
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10/31/07 Report: The Maples dressed out for Halloween again this year. Lots of orange and yellows are showing up all along the Sabinal River in the park. Most of the Maples have started turning; even a few Red Oaks and Lacey Oaks have started. This last week we had sunny days and cool nights, perfect weather for the Maples to turn. Some of the Maples seeded out very heavily, so those will not do well for colors. It takes a lot out of the tree to make seed. The best colors are on the East Trail going to campground A, decent color going to the ponds. This next week we are expected to have low temperatures in the forties and highs in the seventies with low percentages of rain. It is still excellent weather for camping and hiking, as well as for color change. Come on out and enjoy. There is still road construction on Hwy. 187, between Utopia and Vanderpool, so expect short delays.

TPWD photos taken on 10/31/07 by John Stuart
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10/24/07 Report: The last two nights of cold air helped kick off a little more change in the foliage. We are seeing more golden-red colors. Many of the Maples have not started yet, but will soon. The most changes have been on the East Trail going back to campground A from the picnic area and along Can Creek going back to the ponds from the overflow parking area. Low temperatures for the next week are expected to be in the fifties and upper forties with highs in the seventies. Low rain percentages are predicted, so this next week will be excellent for camping and hiking. There is still some road construction on Hwy. 187, between Utopia and Vanderpool, so expect short delays.

TPWD photo taken on 10/24/07 by John Stuart
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10/17/07 Report: Some subtle color changes are occurring through most of the park. It has still been too warm for good color, however we are expecting a cold front today, and another on Monday. Most of the changes have been on the East Trail and along the canyon rim on the one-mile drive in the park. We are expecting low temperatures in the fifties this week and highs in the low eighties and upper seventies. Low percentages of rain are expected, so it should be excellent camping and hiking weather. Due to the creation of bicycle lanes, road construction is still occurring on Hwy. 187, between Utopia and Vanderpool, so expect short delays.

TPWD photos taken on 10/17/07 by John Stuart
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10/10/07 Report: The warm weather has not been helpful so far this year in bringing out the best fall colors. We did have a cold front blow in yesterday, which dropped the temperature down to the low sixties, still a little warmer than normal for this time of year. There are some subtle changes on the canyon rims, and a few Maples are turning brownish-red on the outside of the leaves. The weekly forecast calls for temperatures in the low sixties to upper fifties at night and low eighties for the days. The lower nighttime temperatures may help the color change. Low percentages for rain this week, will make for good camping and hiking. Look for color changes on the East Trail along the canyon rims. There is some road construction between Utopia and Vanderpool, expect short delays. The rides on Hwy. 39 from Hunt along the Guadalupe River and FM 187 from Sabinal, along the Sabinal River are showing some reddish-brown change in the Bald Cypress.

TPWD photos taken on 10/10/07 by John Stuart
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10/03/07 Report: There is slight change in very few of the Maples so far. Maples change from the top down and the State Champion Big Tooth Maple has started changing a little on the top. We have not yet had the cold weather that kicks off the change. The Walnut trees have turned yellow and dropped leaves and nuts, but they are usually the first to do so every year. The Pecans are still very green, and the Oaks are still waiting as well. We have low percentages for rain in the coming week. The temperatures this next week are predicted to be in mid eighties in the day and low sixties at night. It looks like great camping weather, so come on out. Remember to try to come out during the weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds.

TPWD photos taken on 10/03/07 by John Stuart
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09/19/07 Report: With the recent cold fronts that have passed through the area, we are seeing some slight changes in the foliage. The Black Walnuts have started turning yellow and dropping their leaves as well as their nuts. A very few of the Maples have started turning on the top. The State Champion Big Tooth Maple is showing a little color at the top. Maples turn from the top down, it is about a three week process from start to end of color change on each tree. We have had a very rainy year so far, which has added a lot of new growth to our trees. The weather predictions for the coming week are low percentages of rain and temperatures in the 80's in the day and mid 60's at night. This is ideal camping weather, so come out and enjoy.

TPWD photos taken on 09/19/07 by John Stuart
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