Bandera, TX: Alamo Chapter, Hill Country State Natural Area Hike

READ THIS FIRST!
This is a CHALLENGING 5.5 mile loop hike – great training for the Camino!
You must obtain a park pass from Texas Parks & Wildlife RIGHT AWAY & register (see below)
(See details at bottom of email on how to obtain a pass if you are not already a TPW member).
Bring plenty of WATER! And SNACKS! None available in park.

NOW READ THIS!
Where: 10600 Bandera Creek Road, Bandera, TX 78003 (Use your GPS)
When: Saturday, November 16 – arrive at park by 7:30 am; hike departs at 8:00 am SHARP
What: Combination of the Spring Branch and the Wilderness Trails
Duration: 3-31/2 hours, including stops for water, snacks & views.
Hike Leaders: Susie & John McCalla, susiejonesmccalla@utexas.edu
Optional Post-Walk Lunch: Old Spanish Trail Restaurant, 311 Main Street Bandera, TX – headcount will be taken at beginning of hike & reservation called in for ~11:30-noon.
Remember all your stuff: Water, snacks & a backpack to carry them; sturdy hiking shoes/boots, hat, appropriate layers of clothing, sunscreen; trekking poles strongly encouraged; camera/phone for photos (little to no cell service); & anything else you might need.
Legal Stuff: Per American Pilgrims, dogs and other animals are not permitted. Leave “Fido” at home.

NOW, IF YOU’RE READY TO REGISTER FOR THE HIKE, READ ALL OF THE REST OF THE DETAILS:
ARRIVAL INFORMATION:
At 7:00 AM, a person will be in the large parking lot near the Park Headquarters who will direct you to a short drive to the trailhead. There IS a FLUSHING toilet at Park Headquarters AND a privy toilet at the trailhead, and both will be unlocked. We will collect at the trailhead and begin hiking at 8:00 AM.
Don’t forget to put your park day pass on your dashboard! AND BRING LOTS OF WATER WITH YOU!!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION:
Please do NOT just show up to this hike. You MUST have a reservation.
Reservations open 30 days out, so that means make it now!
If you don’t know how to make Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Day Pass Reservations, detailed instructions are at the very bottom of this email. Once you have made your reservation for the day pass, PRINT OUT your receipt for your day pass. We will be getting there before the park officially opens and you will need to display your receipt on your dashboard. Then email alamo@americanpilgrims.org to let us know your name & names of people coming in your car.
WE MUST HAVE AN ACCURATE HEAD COUNT!

HIKE INFORMATION:
Much of this hike is designated as a “Challenging ” route by Texas Parks and Wildlife and it’s EXTREMELY rocky and has some very steep parts as well, which is what makes it an excellent Camino training hike. We will be on a combination of the Spring Branch and the Wilderness Trails. Halfway through this hike, we will stop for a snack break at a primitive camping area. Please remember this is a wilderness hike, which means that there are no facilities, no water, no food, maybe no cell phone service, & lots of rocks/steep trails. This park can close due to rain, flooding, lightning, & washed-out trails. If that kind of weather is happening, please check the Park’s website. If this happens, Susie will email people who have told us they are coming.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR A TPW Day Pass
DETAILED REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS—Don’t read this if you already know how.
If you have a TPWD Annual Park Pass, all you need to do is make a reservation for a day pass on that date. If you do NOT have an Annual Pass, you can decide to get one (unlimited access to all Texas State Parks, discounts at gift shops and for camping, etc.). Anybody in your car that day gets in on your pass—free. Maybe offer carpool to pass-less people.

If you are a Senior, a Veteran, or have a physical disability, there is the Texas Parklands Passport program for you with instructions on that also on the website. People riding with you get in free.

If you just want a Day Pass this time and no annual pass, it is a fee of $6/person over 13 years old in your car. You will need to pay for anyone riding in your car when you register.

To do any of the above things, go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife website: (https://tpwd.texas.gov/)

1. Everyone, click “Find A Park.” They are in alphabetical order, so type “Hill Country State Natural Area,” and the Bandera park will come up. You will be asked to create an account.
2. Annual Passes: Click “Passes” at the top (in gray area) if you want to purchase or read about the annual passes described above. There is a link for the day pass on here, too, which you ALSO need to reserve, even if you already have or purchase an Annual Pass. Your reservation for the day pass will be free once you have your Annual Pass, so be sure you have the Annual Pass first, if you are choosing to purchase one.
3. Day Passes: Click “Reservations” at the top (gray area), if you want to reserve a day pass. A person who already has an annual pass, or who does not wish to purchase one, may also start here. Then you will follow the instructions for day passes.

REMINDER FOR EVERYONE: Once you have made your reservation for the day pass, PRINT OUT your receipt for your day pass. We will be getting there before the park officially opens and you must display your receipt on your dashboard. Then email alamo@americanpilgrims.org and let us know your names and the names of people who are coming in your car so we can keep count.