At the waypoint "Window" one can see a different result of erosion. The shape of these rocks is due to the pattern of erosion, typically freeze-thaw weathering. Many of the rocks found along the trail resemble mushrooms, with wide tops. At the first rock outcropping of the trail we had to step carefully to maintain traction on the rock due to mist that permeated the air and coated the rock, making for slippery surfaces. The rock erodes more slowly than limestone and as it does it tends to wear more smoothly. Enchanted RockĪnd most of the formations here are made up of granite. Unlike most of the rock one sees in the Hill Country, this rock is pink. The park's rocky nature really makes itself apparent as the trail turns to the north. At the two large boulders a side trail leads to an overlook to the north.Īs the trail heads west it runs along the flood plain of the Sandy Creek. No wonder it's one of the best known hikes in Texas.Ī view along the trail. Though solitude is not a feature of the Summit Trail it does provide a nice climbing workout and great views from the top of the mountain. The trail backtracks to the trailhead to complete the journey. Because there's no single peak to serve as a choke point, it's possible to work your way around the perimeter of the top of the dome to find a spot far enough away from everyone else to find some peace, have lunch or take a nap. If the weather's nice people will tend to congregate at the top. Even with a chin strap I ended up stowing my hat in my backpack to keep it from flapping about and being ripped from my head. The winds can be gusty at the top and it certainly was when I visited. From the top the mountain slopes off gently in all directions, offering 360 degree views of the surrounding terrain. The summit is not a peak, but merely the highest point of the dome of rock. One of the larger communities near the summit even supports a small tree. Eventually a small plant community will take hold on a permanent basis, providing a small oasis of life on the the face of solid rock. More interesting are the pools that over time accumulate plant debris and soil. The larger ones may still contain standing water well after a rain. These formations are called vernal pools. Near the summit you'll see more and more shallow depressions in the granite. Keep an eye open for trail markers uphill as sometimes it is difficult to differentiate the official path from other routes.ĭepressions in the rock eventually host vernal pools (foreground), that eventually turn into small pockets of vegetation (background). In a process of exfoliation these layers of rock that used to form the surface of the dome broke apart and slid down the new smooth underlying layer of rock and ended up here. The rocks here started life farther up the mountain. Enchanted Rock is the second largest granite batholith in the United States, behind only Stone Mountain in Georgia.Īs the path begins to ascend the rock it picks its way around a boulder field. Over time the surrounding limestone, a type of rock that more quickly erodes, began to weather away until the granite formation has finally begun to appear above the surface. Estimates place the occurrence of this formation at up to 1 billion years ago and the rock here is some of the oldest to be found in North America. Enchanted Rock is a known as a batholith - a large rounded dome of granite that formed as a pocket of magma under the surface of the Earth.
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