Hiking the Lost Maples East Trail with a Dog.

I read that the Lost Maples East Trail is the hardest day hike in Central Texas. Unfortunately, I read it after I did the hike. Lol.

Will I back off hiking on the East Trail if I read about it first? NO! I would take the challenge in a heartbeat. 

I did Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park, so I knew I could do this one.

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Lost Maples State Natural Area is famous for its fall foliage. That’s when the park sees its highest visitor numbers. Usually, it’s in November.

I hiked on Thursday in the first week of October, and it was still green and hot at the end of the hike.

Now, let’s see how this mid-50s lady and her dog did the challenging Lost Maples East Trail in Central Texas.

Hiking the Lost Maples East Trail with a Dog.

The trailhead is at the Day-use Area. So, that’s where we parked the car after using the restroom.

We started slightly before 9.30 a.m. after driving for about 1.5 hours from Fredericksburg.

If you camp in the park or stay nearby, you can begin as early as you can. You will beat the crowds and the hot weather.

The Maple Trail – Lost Maples Texas

The East Trail and Maple Trail started at the same trailhead. After walking less than 0.1 mile, the trail divided into Maple Trail to the left and East Trail to the right, with Sabinal River between the two trails.

I took the Maple Trail because deep in my heart, I was hoping at least one tree would be changing color already. Haha. Of course, everything was green.

The trail is heavily shaded and connected to the East Trail at the end.

I couldn’t see the end of the trail, though. It’s probably because the water covered it.

I turned around and took a shortcut to the East Trail. It was where I met a couple and told them about it.

They found the end of the Maple Trail, because they were ahead of me after I continued on the East Trail.

The Maple Trail is an easy 0.4-mile trail.

East Trail – Lost Maples State Natural Area

East Trail is rocky. I saw bigtooth maples, bald cypress, and sycamore trees along the river.

Less than a mile later, there’s a sign pointing to Monkey Rock, the popular rock formation in the park.

I made a turn, and at the end of the trail, I spotted the laughing monkey. You won’t miss it!

As I continued hiking on the East Trail, I felt a slight descent, but it was still easy.

I arrived at the first Primitive Campsite. The arrows on the sign point in two directions.

Somehow, I wasn’t sure which direction to stay on the East Trail. I kept going straight, and it ended at a grotto. I didn’t think it was the grotto in the Lost Maples Trail Map, though. It’s not easy to get into.

I turned around and met a male hiker. I told him it’s not the grotto shown on the map. He said he didn’t know, and he just wanders around.

When you see this primitive campsite sign, turn left to stay on East Trail.

There’s a composting toilet on the left of the trail.

Before long, I arrived at the Grotto. It is shaded and feels good because there are minimal shades on the East Trail to the Grotto.

I continued after taking pictures and saw another sign posted nearby. It says: WARNING. Portions of this trail are steep and rugged for the next 1.5 miles.

Remember the couple I met at the beginning of the trail? The wife was coming down when I was about to start climbing. She said she can’t do high elevation because her blood pressure would drop significantly. “I know I have to turn around,” she said.

And so began our climbing on a steep, rugged, uneven rocky terrain. It’s challenging from the first step. I thought it would end at the curb, but it’s not. It felt like forever to reach the top.

Sweat was starting to drip from my jaw and temple. I could hear my heart beating. My dog’s tongue was sticking out bigger and bigger.

About midway through the steep terrain, we stopped for a water break. My breathing was fast and loud. I could see that my dog was tired.

There’s no shade on the trail, so I felt relieved when we reached the top.

I didn’t know that there was also no shade at the top.

Two ladies and their German shepherd were waiting for my dog and me to reach the top before they started going down. I’m not sure if going down is easier or not.

All I know is that going up was hard! You will climb the steep part for about half a mile.

Then I saw the sign to the scenic overlook on the left.

I was debating whether to do it or not. It’s a 0.7-mile out-and-back on flat rocky terrain with the sun shining bright on my head. It was hot and I was tired.

Finally, I decided to go to the overlook. It felt like forever to get to the end of the trail. But I was rewarded with a beautiful view of the Sabinal River Valley below. I could only imagine what it looks like when trees change colors. 

You should do it! You are already there.

After I passed the sign to the second Primitive Campsite, it’s time to go on another steep terrain. This time, we went down, and I found it felt easier. It’s 0.35 miles, half of the first steep terrain.

Suddenly, I arrived at the pond day-use area. The trail splits into two: the East-West Trail to the left and the West Trail to the right.

East-West Trail – Lost Maples Natural Area

I turned left onto the easy East-West Trail and hiked another 1 mile to the parking. It was not where we parked the car. It’s the overflow parking area.

We still had to hike another 0.1 mile through the woods and the restrooms to get to our car.

There are shaded spots on this trail, and some Bigtooth Maple trees. We had to cross the Sabinal River at least three times. Fortunately, the water wasn’t high, and they put rocks to cross.

It looked like the area hadn’t seen rain for quite a long time.

The Lost Maples State Park Trail Map stated that the pond day-use area is a great spot to unwind. Visitors can bring their picnic and go fishing. Bass live in the pond, and the park stocks trout and catfish.

Snoopy and I finished the hike in about 3 hours.

Lost Maples East Trail Difficulty

It is a challenging, almost 5-mile-long trail. The steep parts are the challenging ones. Other than that, it is flat.

In general, you can finish the hike in around 3 hours.

West Trail is also a challenging trail, while West Loop Trail is moderate, and Maple and East-West Trails are easy.    

If I could do it, you should be able to do it, too. Don’t do it if you are physically challenged or not fit.

How long is the hike at Lost Maples?

The park has over 10 miles of trails. It will take a day to do all the trails.

What is the best time to go to Lost Maples?

Late October to late November is the best time for fall foliage, and the weather is pleasant. Reserve passes online as they reach daily capacity quickly.

Check out the park’s fall foliage report for the best chance of colors. Every year, the fall season arrives at a different time. They started the report in mid-October.

March through May is another favorite time as the springtime brings more water to the park. The weather is pleasant, too. It means to reserve your daily passes in advance.

If you want to avoid crowds, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons as I did. December to February is also a good time to go. There are fewer people, but you will need to bundle up a bit.

Whenever you plan a hiking trip to Lost Maples State Park, be sure to call the headquarters to find information on the park’s condition. 

Where is Lost Maples State Park

Address: 37221 FM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885.

It is one and a half hours southwest of Fredericksburg and two hours northwest of San Antonio. It is slightly over thirty minutes northeast of Garner State Park in Concan.

The closest small towns in the Texas Hill Country are Leakey, Utopia, Tarpley, Medina, and Bandera.

Basic hiking essentials for Lost Maples East Trail:

1. Hiking shoes with good traction.

2. Hiking poles. It helped a lot, unless you still have a perfect balance. 

3. Lots of water for you and the dog. I carried the 48-oz. and 30-oz. for my dog and me.

4. Snacks for you and treats for the dog.

5. A lightweight backpack to carry your stuff. 

6. Hat.

7. Quick-dry hiking pants and UPF long sleeves.

8. Sunblock.

9. Hand towels to wipe your face. Or use your sleeves.

10. Sunglasses.