Hill Country State Natural Area 2023

Quick Facts

Dates: January 21-22

Trip-Leader: James

Location: Hill Country State Natural Area

What: One-night backpacking trip + day hiking

A Forward, by James

We planned for the trip to be a 2-night backpacking trip, but I believe it would be impossible to drive to HCSNA and hike to the campsite on Friday evening. Below is a plan that has us leaving Austin on Saturday morning instead.

If I can guarantee that fewer than 8 people will attend this trip, I can reserve a walk-in site for that night (Verde Creek Camp Area). I believe that this solution would involve a lot of moving parts, but I'm willing to hear out any arguments for leaving out on Friday

The plan I have written is the simplest plan in my opinion, but I'm very flexible if we want to do something else. This will be a fun trip no matter what!

Itinerary

Saturday

• Arrive at the Annex by 8 AM

• Pack cars and leave the Annex by 9 AM

• Drive to Hill Country State Natural Area (approx. 2h 45m)

• Eat lunch in HCSNA overnight parking lot at 12 PM

• Hike out by 1 PM to primitive sites (2.7 miles, approx. 1h 45m) [PATH 1]

• Arrive at primitive sites at 2:30 PM

• Set up camp and do campsite activities

  • • Icecream Hill Loop [PATH 3]

    • Games

    • Training

• Lights out by 10 PM

Sunday

• Wake up at 7 AM

• Pack up camp and leave by 9 AM

• Hike back to the car (2.57 miles, approx. 1h 30m) [PATH 2]

• Arrive at the car by 11 AM

• Eat lunch at the car, finish by 12 PM

• Do a day hike!

  • • • • Medina Loop -> Comanche Bluff Camp Area (4.5 miles), arrive back at the car around 2:30 PM [PATH 4]

        • Spring Branch -> Madrone -> Hermits -> Creek Bottom (6 miles), arrive back at the car around 3 PM [PATH 5]

        • Spring Branch -> Madrone -> Vista Ridge (6.5 miles), arrive back at the car around 3:30 PM [PATH 6]

    • Drive back to the Annex (approx. 2h 45m), arriving by 6:30 PM

    • Disperse from the Annex shortly after arrival

Meal Plan

Saturday

Breakfast- Breakfast tacos (Taco Cabana?)

Lunch- BYO Backpacking

Dinner- BYO Backpacking

Sunday

Breakfast- BYO Backpacking

Lunch- BYO Backpacking

Roles

• Trail Leader- Katy

• Navigator- Navneeth

• Medic- Azure

• Weather Person- Ali

• Co-Entertainers- James & Karim

Headcount

Youth:

• Ali

• Azure

• James

• Katy

• Navneeth

• Karim

Adults:

• Sabrina

• Steve

• Annie

Vehicles

• Bone Knapper

• Sabrina's Car*

• Annie's Car

Trainings

• Backpacking First Aid (James, January 9th)

Notes

• Hammocking is allowed, 2 inch thick straps are required!

• There is NO WATER at the campsite. There is a pond but there is a possibility it is dry right now. James will look into filtration opportunities.

• Park Map PDF

• Trails Map PDF

To-Do

• Finalize Headcount

• Finalize Car Plan

• Choose Activities

• Assign jobs