The Wimp’s Guide to Climbing Enchanted Rock

Today’s life lesson: if you are going to decide that you don’t really enjoy climbing, sweating, and the general hiking experience, decide this before you find yourself half way into a 425 foot climb to the summit of a giant rock.   Halfway in, you either have to openly admit that you are a wimp and don’t really care if you make it to the top, or you will have to continue to climb so that you can save face in front of your three young children who don’t understand why mom has to stop to “take a picture” every ten feet. 

This was my predicament about 200 feet into the half mile climb up Enchanted Rock, a dome of pink granite that rises 425 feet above the landscape of the Texas Hill country outside Fredericksburg, TX.  At our base camp (because as far as I am concerned, this was my Everest), I had already given my pep talk about how accomplishing difficult tasks makes us stronger and spurred the troops on with the promise of the sense of pride we would feel at the top.  

Mid-way through, the kids were running-yes actually running-up the steepest part of the rock, while I didn’t give three figs if I ever made it to the top as long as my lungs didn’t collapse.  Phooey on all that inspirational talk-somebody get me a rescue chopper!

In the end, I did make it to the top.  It could have been the fear that if the boys made it up to the top with too much unsupervised time, they might use the lone tree up there as some kind of human slingshot.  It’s possible that it was that sense of pride that spurred me on-not the personal pride that comes from accomplishment, but the pride that won’t allow a parent to be bested by their kids. I can’t show my weakness now!  I still have to make it through the teen years!

Tips for Wimps Climbing Enchanted Rock

1. Check the weather.    Any temperatures over 90 degrees would likely make the climb slower and more brutal.   If you are already feeling wimpy, you don’t want to add heat to the equation.  Be on the lookout for rain, as well.  The rock is quite steep and will be very slippery if wet.

2. Bring along plenty of water-at least one quart per person.  Rehydrate often.

3. Purchase the trail guide at the information desk for a dollar.  Not only will you learn something along the way, but it will give you a chance to pause and read without looking like you are actually resting.

4. Go early in the morning.  The rock is huge, but parking is limited.  When the parking lot is full, the gates close until more spots are available.  Waits can be up to two hours, and nothing makes you feel wimpy like idling in a hot car for hours. 

5. To avoid the lines, consider entering the park from the North (coming from Llano) rather than the South (coming from Fredericksburg).  The lines are much shorter from the North.

6. Explore once you get to the top.  You may be tempted just to start your descent, but there are caves and other interesting outcroppings that are worth a look before you start down.

7. Be wimpy, but make the climb anyway.  The climb is steep, but short enough that it is a good starter climb for young kids and wimpy moms.   It was about a little over an hour round trip climb, and that was with plenty of breaks for whining and breathe-catching.  It is a very doable hike, really.

Enchanted Rock has some pretty great history and folklore, but I am too out of breath to tell it to you.  Check out R We There Yet Mom for the story of a family who doesn’t whine their way to the top.

 

~I'm linking up with Budget Travelers Sandbox, R We There Yet Mom, and Delicious Baby~