Gov Canyon – Vapor Trail

Posted on September 5, 2011 October 28, 2022

AT 2011

I completed the AT 2011 page. https://gravelboy.edublogs.org/at/at-2011/

This was a very gratifying hike. I was able to complete more than 200 miles—thanks in part to Hedy being my car person. The weather was very good with the exception of heavy rain on one of the days. Even though I was caught in the rain I still managed 14+ miles. Hedy swears she thoroughly enjoyed the vacation. For her it was drop me off in the morning and then she could do whatever she wanted. However she did have to pick me up at a guesstimated time and place, arrange motels and laundry. Somehow it worked out well for her as she was able to explore new areas and meet new folks.

I hiked 15 straight days with the 11 miles being the shortest day. Salisbury, Connecticut was a good goal for me to shoot for and hopefully I can duplicate this effort next year when I take on Massachusetts and Vermont.

On another note, I have been hiking in Government Canyon on the weekend. It is a hell-hole. I feel badly for the wildlike as it must be suffering. Here’s a little fellow I’ve seen the past 3 weeks just outside of HQ. I believe it is a Texas Spiny Lizard.

Posted on June 18, 2011 May 31, 2014

Gov Canyon Hot and Dry

Government Canyon, Joe Johnstone Trail — Hedy in her Patagonias

I have hit Government Canyon almost every weekend this year, sometimes twice. It has been the hottest, dryest season I remember. There are few wildflowers. Here is a photo of Hedy as we were out there this morning. This is on the Joe Johnston Trail.

Hedy will continue to the Zizelmann House and I will walk the perimeter, about 11+ miles. Just a few people and bicyclists today, however on past weekends, even with the extreme heat, the parking lot has been filled and there has been a lot of activity.

Posted on August 9, 2010 October 27, 2022

AT 2010 complete

I’ve been back from the AT for a couple of weeks now. I had to hit the ground running once I returned to work and have not had a lot of time to work with the photos and create the AT 2010 page. However, I do now have selected photos posted from my trek (173 miles) and much of the 2010 page complete, thanks to taking “in the field” recordings.

Appalachian Trail 2010 — Lehigh River, on the AT in Pennsylvania, July 13, 2010.

It was quite an accomplishment and I am happy to have Pennsylvania behind me. Next year I should see New Jersey, New York and a piece of Connecticutt. I met many people along the trail this year, more than the usual amount. I believe that is because I am coinciding with the through hikers now. Probably this will happen next year as well.

After catching up with house repairs and trying to get my personal life back in order (it is amazing what 2 weeks away does to one) I managed to get to Government Canyon this weekend. It was very hot and I cut the hike to about 10 miles. I did a skinny loop-Sendero Balcones to Johnstone Trail and avoided the ears (Far Reaches and Caroline’s Loop).

Common sunflower (Helianthus annuus), Government Canyon.

And I’m starting to investigate the possibility of hiking Tanners Trail in the Grand Canyon with Vivian this spring. Starting to prepare early is good.

Posted on February 13, 2010 October 26, 2022

Moving forward…

I have missed two weekends since the beginning of the year. What I mean to say is, I missed hiking in Government Canyon two weekends—the first being Nata’s wedding and then the next was the following weekend when we were experiencing very cold, rainy weather here in San Antonio.

Today it was quite nice but unfortunately I did not have my camera with me. Up the Johnstone Trail around 18 or so is a large, crystaline pond. Water is flowing into it-unheard of in Goverment Canyon. The water is crystal clear. I would not hesitate to drink from it. I was doing a large looped trail—Johnstone > Sendero Balcones > Black Hill (about 6 miles to this point) > follow Black Hill from 41 to 8 to Twin Oaks > another piece of Sendero (markers 11 to 8) > Wildcat Canyon > and then take Johnstone back in to the parking lot. The hike was about 12.8 miles. This was the reverse of the hike I did last week.

I purchased new hiking shoes at Goode Sport yesterday and this was a breaking in period. No problem, very comfortable. Should be set for the Royal Arch coming up next month.

Here’s a photo of Government Canyon that I took on New Years day.

Posted on May 7, 2009 October 25, 2022

Texas Walking Sticks

When I arrived at Government Canyon in the early morning (around 7:00) last Sunday, I was greeted at the visitor’s entrance by a batch of Texas Walking Sticks. They were just hanging around enjoying the cool morning. They are a very curious creature.

Government Canyon has profited from a bit of rain this past week. More flowers are in bloom, especially the yellow cactus flowers. And it is beginning to heat up a bit. Thankfully they open at 7:00 AM now and that really helps.

Posted on April 24, 2009 July 22, 2009

Fox?

Today at Government Canyon I believe I spotted a fox. It was between 9 and 10 on Far Reaches. The animal had just come out on the trail and turned to face me, then turned and darted into the brush. I caught a nice profile and a large, long bushy tail. I believe it was a kit fox, after researching a bit on the Internet. It happened very quickly and I really only got a brief glimpse and no chance at all for a photo.

The day was overcast with some sprinkling. There were no new wildflowers to report.

Posted on April 19, 2009 April 10, 2015

Snake on the path…

Today was a great day at Government Canyon. It had rained a bit this week and I anticipated a burst of wildflowers but was disappointed again. There really isn’t much bursting forth going on out there this year. Last week’s Mountain Laurel has pretty much disappeared. I did find some clusters of Plains Blackfoot sometimes known as Rock Daisy. Anyhow, that is the identification I’ve come up with using my Wildflowers of Texas book. The scientific name is Melampodium leucanthum and it is a member of the sunflower family.

So, I am thankful to have seen some smatterings of Plains Blackfoot. Also, a few cactus were beginning to show an inclination to bloom. It has been several weeks now when it seems they have been poised to explode yet nothing until today.

But the cool thing about today’s hike—I saw a rattlesnake, and a fairly large one at that. It was on the Johnston Trail between the 7 and 8 markers and was making his way across the trail into the brush. I was able to capture a photo as he was disappearing into the brush. The rattle is distinctive. And it looked well fed. Click on the photo to get a larger view.

Posted on April 10, 2009 October 25, 2022

…and then a hog snorted…

Government Canyon might have a lot of wildlife but I haven’t really seen much on my myriad of hikes out there. I have seen a few dear, a couple of wild hogs, a porcupine, a rattlesnake, a coyote. But these are always the exception and really make the hike better.

Today a hog snorted at me. I was on Caroline’s Loop, near the 2 marker and I heard a distinctive snort. I peered into the brush but could not make out anything. But I could imagine a big yellow hog eye staring back at me, maybe a feral boar, with boar’s feet stamping at the ground looking for a charge angle. I saw that once in a movie, I think it was The Thornbirds. I know the feral hogs play a predominant role in Old Yeller. Anyway I continued to stare and it continued to snort and I finally moved on. No chance for a picture there.

The wildflowers are not blooming in Government Canyon. But there is an abundance of Mountain Laurel and that is always welcome. The cactus seem ready to bloom, maybe next week.

Posted on April 4, 2009 October 24, 2022

Spider Webs

Government Canyon is now open at 7:00 am. I have been out there the past two weeks and today I noticed spider webs across the trail. Not a lot, but another indication of spring. Last week there were rain lilies and this week there were Mountain Laurel blooms. The cacti appear ready to explode.

Here is a sunrise photo from last week—https://flic.kr/p/eERhiG

Posted on October 26, 2008 October 23, 2022

Porcupine

This weekend on the Cave Creek trail I spotted a porcupine. It was near the #2 marker Just off the trail and was slowly climbing a tree. By the time I got my camera out it was near the top and had hunkered down. It would be difficult to notice that this was not part of the tree.

At Soto Vista I captured another shot of Senna.

Velvet leaf senna is also known as Lindheimer’s senna, Velvet leaf wild sensitive plant, Velvetleaf senna, Puppy-dog Ears (PictureThis app).

Sunday I took Colter out to see how he would like the Canyon. It was quite difficult because he is very curious and just wants to sniff. It was agonizing to go around the Savanah Loop. I think he is just as happy to go to Connally and avoid the car ride out to the Canyon.