8 trails Dodging a puddle atop Enchanted Rock in the Texas Hill Country, a massive trail mecca in the central part of the state. COLORADO BEND STATE PARK / Hugging the Colorado River, northwest of Austin, is this 5,300-plus-acre state park and its 35 miles of trails. Don’t miss the greenscape of the Gorman Falls <strong>Trail</strong>, and be ready for a big dose of rocks and spiny plants along the way. > South, Hill Country, Texas Rough and Tumble Texas outdoor enthusiasts lovingly say that everything in their state stings, scratches or bites. Texas is a rough-and-tumble state and the Hill Country region, which refers to the hilly uplands in the central part of the state that includes the major cities of San Antonio and Austin, is not an exception. Abundant trail-running opportunities exist throughout the Hill Country, mostly on state-park lands and some private land open for public use, but they generally aren’t for the faint of heart. + Insider Info: “It’s hard to beat being able to comfortably run in a tank top through the winter! The heat and humidity do scare people out of signing up for summer trail races, but the coolest thing is (pun partially intended) that we constantly wade through cold springfed water at creek crossings.” —Chris McWatters, Tejas <strong>Trail</strong>s co-owner Eric Senseman is a freelance writer with publications at numerous websites and magazines. He calls the American West home and explores its many peaks, canyons and valleys for business and pleasure. Meghan M. Hicks is iRunFar.com’s Senior Editor and a Contributing Editor for <strong>Trail</strong> <strong>Runner</strong>. She lives in Utah’s Canyon Country and loves using trail running as a means to explore the USA. 25 The number of Texas counties that make up what’s colloquially called Hill Country 1848 The year in which many German citizens left Europe in revolution, with some emigrating to the U.S. via Texas, and settling in what’s now Hill Country, leading to the strong German influence still felt there 9Texas Hill Country American Viticultural Area’s size, in millions of acres, which is the U.S.’s second largest wine-making region, containing over 50 wineries PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK / Straddling the Pedernales River, this gorgeous park offers meandering, rocky singletrack with decent amounts of shade. You can run an ultramarathon distance on trails here without repeating any terrain—don’t miss a recovery soak in the river afterward. HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA / Located southwest of Bandera, this 5,300-plus-acre park has a primitive feel and plenty of Hill-Countrystyle rugged and rocky trails on which to get lost. Highlights are the Vista Ridge and Ice Cream trails. races BANDERA ENDURANCE RUN / This 25K, 50K and 100K event, which has frequently served as the USATF 100K <strong>Trail</strong> National Championships, takes place in Hill Country State Natural Area in February, and exudes the essence of Hill Country trail running: rocky and rugged trails, brief-but-steep climbs and descents, spiny plants everywhere and a passel of local trail runners who are as friendly as they are tough. Info: Tejastrails.com/bandera CACTUS ROSE ULTRA TRAIL RUN AND RELAY / This mega-tough, unsupported event features a relay, 25-mile, 50-mile and 100-mile races in the Hill Country State Natural Area. Info: Tejastrails. com/#/cactus LIGHTHOUSE HILL RANCH TRAIL RUN / Run on the private Lighthouse Hill Ranch located south of Johnson City, which contains quintessential Hill County rocks and punchy hills. The event hosts 10-mile, 20-mile and 50K races in <strong>September</strong>. Info: Runintexas.com/lighthouse TURNER & FITCH / TANDEMSTOCK.COM; T.M. SCHULTZE / TANDEMSTOCK.COM 30 SEPTEMBER <strong>2017</strong> TRAILRUNNERMAG.COM
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