CHARRO RANCH PARK: INITIAL EXPLORATION (AND A LOCATION CAUTIONARY TALE)
We recently reported on the magnanimous gift of Charro Ranch Park to the City of Dripping Springs by Lucy Reed Hibberd. A Babble reader was in the park vicinity this morning, and on his way back decided to take an initial look-see. He drove between the stated location — Oak Springs
and Woods Loop — without seeing any signs, but with a bit of effort eventually spotted a sign for "Charro
Ranch". Great! He pulled in the open gate, and drove around the lovely terrain of the well maintained ranch
roads. He took a leisurely drive all the way back to Onion Creek, but
without ever seeing the park's famed solstice circle. It finally dawned him that he wasn't on park property, rather, he was trespassing with great abandon on private property. Oops.
Determined to find the actual park, he headed to the Chamber of Commerce but, alas, they have no information as to the location of the park. He then drove to City Hall where a map of the park property was retrieved and, after talking with City staff, realized he was driving on Lucy Reed Hibberd's private ranch (which bears the same name as the park), but is on the south side of FM 150. Charro Ranch Park is on the north. The park is actually entered through a gate directly across the street from Ms. Hibberd's ranch. About 20 yards in there is a cross section of a tree with "Charro Ranch Park" carved into it, although do keep in mind that it is partially obscured by some shrubs. Pass through another gate and that's where the trail starts.
Our intrepid explorer, now actually in the park, reports that the trails are comprised of limestone gravel, some of which are covered in ashe juniper mulch. Although he was wearing heavy duty sandals, he recommends wearing sturdier walking/hiking shoes. Once the trails are worn in, sandals and tennis shoes will no doubt work just fine. Also, there are grasses growing up through parts of the trail so he recommends insect repellent to avoid picking up any deer ticks. It's still evident where land clearing has taken place but, in time, lovely grasses and wildflowers will certainly reclaim those spots. He reports that it's a nice piece of property and a great addition to Dripping Springs overall park acreage. The location of the park gate is on FM 150 approximately eight tenths of a mile from the intersection of RR 12 and FM 150. To emphasize, the park is on the north side of 150 (a sign to avoid confusion and more trespassing should be on the gate soon). Ignore the "Charro Ranch" sign on the south side of 150.
Determined to find the actual park, he headed to the Chamber of Commerce but, alas, they have no information as to the location of the park. He then drove to City Hall where a map of the park property was retrieved and, after talking with City staff, realized he was driving on Lucy Reed Hibberd's private ranch (which bears the same name as the park), but is on the south side of FM 150. Charro Ranch Park is on the north. The park is actually entered through a gate directly across the street from Ms. Hibberd's ranch. About 20 yards in there is a cross section of a tree with "Charro Ranch Park" carved into it, although do keep in mind that it is partially obscured by some shrubs. Pass through another gate and that's where the trail starts.
Our intrepid explorer, now actually in the park, reports that the trails are comprised of limestone gravel, some of which are covered in ashe juniper mulch. Although he was wearing heavy duty sandals, he recommends wearing sturdier walking/hiking shoes. Once the trails are worn in, sandals and tennis shoes will no doubt work just fine. Also, there are grasses growing up through parts of the trail so he recommends insect repellent to avoid picking up any deer ticks. It's still evident where land clearing has taken place but, in time, lovely grasses and wildflowers will certainly reclaim those spots. He reports that it's a nice piece of property and a great addition to Dripping Springs overall park acreage. The location of the park gate is on FM 150 approximately eight tenths of a mile from the intersection of RR 12 and FM 150. To emphasize, the park is on the north side of 150 (a sign to avoid confusion and more trespassing should be on the gate soon). Ignore the "Charro Ranch" sign on the south side of 150.
Posted by DSBabble.com at Monday, May 11, 2009 6:52 PM 
Categories: charro ranch park
Tags: dripping springs charro ranch park
Categories: charro ranch park
Tags: dripping springs charro ranch park
Comments