Save the Date: Spring Lake Hike & Hughson Hike

Spring Lake Hike and a Moonlit Social Hour 
Sunday, October 4, 5:00- 8:30 PM

This hike will take us up to the crown of the hill and a quick check of the pond to see how it came through the dry spell. Afterward we will enjoy some light refreshments at Aquarena Center.

We will meet at the Texas Rivers Center parking lot and walk in from there.  The TRC is the home of the River Systems Institute and is located in the old hotel of the Aquarena Springs resort now called the Aquarena Center.  The entrance is located where Aquarena Springs Drive meets the railroad tracks in San Marcos.
We will walk in and make our way to the pond via the crown to find out if there is any standing water.  For the first time in a long time that pond went dry and it has been the watering hole for wood ducks and mountain lions and just about any other bird, reptile or mammal that needs a drink now and then.

As always sturdy closed shoes are good idea.  We recommend long pants as well and bring your own water for the hike.  We will provide the bug spray and directions.

Afterward we’ll meet up just inside the Aquarena Center campus to await the ‘arisal’ of the full moon.  We will provide some ice, a few sodas, some corn chips, pretzels and some dips.  You are welcome to bring some other snacks as you wish and adult beverage.  This is just a relaxing social hour to cap off a hike and chit chat with other members and visitors.  We will clean up after ourselves as part of our agreement with the Aquarena Center.  As is our inclination, we will ‘leave no trace.’

Sunset is at 7:13 p.m. with twilight ending around 7:40.  The moon will rise at 7:17 p.m.  It looks like we may have some cloud cover with mild temperatures.  We will cancel if there is a chance of significant foul weather.  We will post that to the blog an hour and half before the event if that is likely.

Hike Hughson Property
Saturday, October 10, 8:00-10:00 AM
This tour is hosted by Jane Hughson and Terry Blackwell who live in a unique situation near the northern end of Spring Lake Preserve.

Jane Hughson has been a long time member of the League of Women Voters and is offering to host a hike for both LWV members and SMGA members.

Most long time residents know there are flood control dams above the San Marcos River but few people know where they are or realize that one is next to the city limits just beyond the edge of Spring Lake Preserve on Sink Creek.  The Hughson Hike scheduled for Saturday, October 10th will give SMGA members a chance to see the dam from a commanding view point above the portion of the Sink Creek watershed that directly feeds the headwaters of the San Marcos River.

But the Hughson property is more than that.  It has been managed by Jane’s husband Terry Blackwell under the provisions of the Texas wildlife management program.  SMGA is hoping that the City of San Marcos and other partners will bring this into conservation to expand Spring Lake Preserve and further ensure clean water for the River and the Aquifer. In addition their property could serve as a link in a greenbelt that would circumvent the city and provide excellent benefits to nature and residents.

The hike will go from hilltop prominence to bottomland areas.  It is a must to have sturdy, closed shoes and we strongly advise long sleeves and long pants.  SMGA will provide bug repellent, natural and un-natural varieties, should it be necessary.  It would also be a good idea to bring some binoculars, identification books, camera, walking stick or whatever tools support the interests you enjoy in our natural areas.

You can find the gate to their property at the intersection of North L.B.J. and Camaro Way
The temporary gate code for the morning of the hike is 9 3 2 1

For information on more hikes, click here.