Photo Essay: Climbing Enchanted Rock
Rising up up from the desert southwest of Austin, Enchanted Rock is the kind of mountain that captures the imagination. Both Native American legend and Texan folklore held the pink granite monolith to be a place of enchantment, home to ghosts and legendary Spanish treasures.
Most visitors to Enchanted Rock today are looking for something a little more corporeal. The rock draws outdoors enthusiasts of all stripes, hikers, cavers, and face climbers, as well as campers. What most of them find is a climb full of challenges and vistas that blow the Texas desert wide open.
1. On clear days, the path to Enchanted Rock’s summit is already crowded by 10:30 AM. Some hikers bring children, while others come to walk dogs.
2. Hikers in search of a challenge can pick their ways up the trickier routes flanking the main path.
3. A cactus grows out from the base of a boulder. While Enchanted Rock may look smooth from a distance, the peak’s cracks and crevices sprout a number of different grasses and succulents.
4. In a phenomenon known as ‘exfoliation’, outer layers of granite gradually break up and slough off Enchanted Rock’s surface in large slabs
5. With no tree cover to provide climbers with shade or help them judge distance, the final ascent up the rock dome can seem to go on for hours.
6. The gradual accumulation of soil and rainwater has allowed miniature ecosystems to form in divots on the top of the rock. Hardy though they might look, these patches of grass and cactus are actually extremely fragile and prone to damage by hikers.
7. Illuminated by the sunset, the far side of Enchanted Rock has much steeper faces, suitable for technical climbers. Campers can reserve primitive sites on the other side of the rock to pitch their tents as well.
Community Connection
Planning to visit Enchanted Rock? Brush up on your bouldering with our article on How to Get Started Bouldering. For some bonus video clips of Enchanted Rock, check out Adam Roy’s blog post on his visit.
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9 Comments... join the discussion!
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Man, I hate to be too “momish” (in a non offensive way)…But if you’re going to climb Enchanted Rock in August – hydrate!!!! Like Adam says, there are no trees on the way up! But it IS a blast so if you like hiking or camping its a fun weekend getaway!
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You did this in Texas mid-summer?? You, my friend, are a brave man.
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Were that I were that brave. I actually did this a while ago, in April. It was so hot then, I kind of shudder to think about what it would be like right now.
In all seriousness, it can be a bit of a problem. There is no water source at all in the primitive camping area, so you absolutely have to carry in what you need. We each brought several liters, but still had to keep a VERY close eye on how much we drank.
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Nice work Adam!
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Nice! I grew up hiking and camping at Enchanted Rock–tons of great memories. Unfortunately I’ve never done any more climbing than the odd scramble. But what about the cave?!
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Hey, I am going there semi-soon! I hope to make it out there this fall.
The Texas summer heat does make it difficult to fully enjoy the outdoors. If everything goes according to my plan, I can make a trip to Enchanted Rock after it cools down but before my baby is born.
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I spent a lot of time at Enchanted Rock as a kid, as well as nearby Inks Lake. Lot of good memories there. I remember the cave as well like Hal.
Of course now a trip to nearby Luckenbach is a must for me anytime I am in that area.
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The cave was actually my favorite part, as well as the most challenging part of the whole outing – some real climbs in there, and on slippery rocks to boot.
Unfortunately, my camera didn’t feel the same way. None of the pictures we took in the cave turned out.
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