Events

First Day Hikes

mcoxz — 2011-12-07T13:50:00Z

Be a part of a National Movement to get people into State Parks! Join Government Canyon State Natural Area Rangers and Volunteers on either a hike up an historic supply route to a “buena vista” or on a shorter hike across a major fault zone and up into the Balcones Escarpment. Either way, you will be able to boast being one of the First Visitors to hike at Government Canyon in 2012. This is an event you don’t want to miss! Hike #1 meets at the Visitor Center by the rainwater harvesting tower at 10:00 AM for the hike up an historic supply route to a “buena vista.” Round trip length of Hike #1 is approximately 7 miles. Hike #2 meets at the Visitors Center near the rainwater harvesting tower at 1:00 PM for the hike across a major fault zone and up into the Balcones Escarpment. Round trip length of Hike #2 is approximately 2 miles. Both hikes are open to all ages; minors must be accompanied by an adult; group size limited to the first 12 people; no pets please; Natural Area entrance fees apply. Dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes for hiking over rough terrain; bring two liters of water and a snack. (210) 688-9055; xt 295.

Click here for more information on other guided First Day Hikes.

Guided Hike to the Protected Habitat

mcoxz — 2011-12-07T13:51:37Z

Join members of the Recreation Committee of the Friends of Government Canyon and other volunteers on a hike to the Protected Habitat Area from 8:00 AM until around 3- 4:00 PM depending on participants. Group size limited; participants must be 14 years of age or older and physically able to hike 12 to 13 miles over broken, rocky terrain with a good portion of elevation gain and loss. Minors must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian. No pets please. Dress in layers appropriate to the weather; carry at least 3 liters of water per person, bring snacks, lunch, sunscreen, hat, and raingear. Wear sturdy, well-broken-in hiking shoes or boots. Reservations required and will be accepted from noon December 7, 2011 until noon on January 6, 2012. For reservations or more information, email reservations@friendsofgc.org. Please include names of each participant, age if under 18, email address and telephone #. Natural Area entrance fees apply. 210-688-9055; xt. 289.

First Sunday Haiku Hike

mcoxz — 2011-12-07T13:55:00Z

Enjoy an experience that combines immersion in the natural world and creative writing. Led by local poet Mobi Warren, it includes an introduction to haiku, a three-mile hike and quiet time sitting along the trail to write. Open to ages 14 and older; group size limited to six; wear sturdy shoes, bring at least a quart of water, a snack, a journal to write in, and a towel or pad to sit on. 8:30 AM -12:30 PM; reservations recommended; Natural Area entrance fees apply. For reservation or more information, e-mail reservations@friendsofgc.org Include name, e-mail address and telephone number for each reservation. Subject to cancellation. (210) 688-9055;ext 289.

Hike the Canyon

mcoxz — 2011-12-07T13:55:00Z

Join the Friends of Government Canyon and the Sierra Club for a jointly-led guided hike on one of the many trails at Government Canyon State Natural Area. Length of hike will range from 4 to 7 miles depending on the group. Open to ages 13 and over; minors must be accompanied by an adult; group size limited to the first 12 people; no pets please; Natural Area entrance fees apply. Dress appropriately and wear sturdy shoes for hiking over rough terrain; bring two liters of water and a snack. Meet at the Visitors Center by the rainwater harvesting tower; 8:00 AM – Noon; subject to cancellation. For more information and to confirm program, call (210) 688-9055, ext 289.

Winter Birds of Government Canyon

mcoxz — 2011-10-18T16:26:49Z

Join Steve Hawkins, member of SA Audubon Bird Records Committee and Friends of Government Canyon Education Committee, on a hike to see birds that are wintering in Government Canyon SNA. Binoculars can be provided if the participant requests when making their reservation. Natural Area entry fees apply. Participants should be able to hike 3 miles (round trip) over rugged but beautiful trails with a fair amount of elevation gain. Dress for the weather, probably cold, and possibly wet. Wear sturdy shoes. Bring at least a quart of water, and a snack if you like Group size limited; participants under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Meet at the rainwater collection towers. No pets please. Reservations required; accepted from noon December 16 through noon January 13, 2012. For reservations/information, e-mail reservations@friendsofgc.org . Include name, e-mail address and telephone number for each reservation. Subject to cancellation. (210) 688-9055, ext 291.

Explore the Canyon

mcoxz — 2011-12-07T13:55:00Z

Knowledgeable guides discuss the flora, fauna, natural and cultural history of this awesome natural area on this exploration. Length of walk and interpretive topic will vary, depending on the group. Open to all ages; group size limited to the first 12 people; Natural Area entry fees apply. Dress appropriately, sunscreen and hat recommended, and wear sturdy footwear appropriate for rough trails; bring two liters of water and a snack. Meet at the Visitors Center by the rainwater harvesting tower. No pets please. 8:30 AM - Noon; subject to cancellation. For more information and to confirm program, call (210) 688-9055, ext 289.

Kids in the Canyon Hike

jkoepke — 2012-12-28T23:29:59Z

Bring the family and join us on a hike full of discoveries! Hike will be approximately an hour. Pace is easy and kid-friendly with lots of stops to explore the world of history and nature that Government Canyon has to offer! Bring water and dress appropriately for weather and rocky trails. Hike will be cancelled if raining, but if trails are closed and weather is nice we will still explore around areas that are open. No reservations necessary, but open only to the first 30 participants. Meet at Visitor Center.

Canyon Interpretive Run

mcoxz — 2012-01-10T17:10:23Z

Join Resource Specialist Niki Lake on a 6.5 mile interpretive run through the beautiful backcountry of Government Canyon SNA. The run will take place on rocky and uneven terrain with some elevation gain (Joe Johnson Route to Wildcat to Far Reaches and back on Recharge Trail). There will be several interpretive stops at which we will talk about the flora, fauna, and natural and cultural history of GCSNA. Participants must be able to run 6.5 miles at a slow/moderate pace. Running shoes are necessary. Open to ages 14 and older; minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; no pets please. Meet at the rainwater harvesting tower at the GCSNA Visitor’s Center. Bring water. Reservations required. Please include name, age (if under 18), email address and phone number. Natural Area entrance fees apply.

First Sunday Haiku Hike

mcoxz — 2011-12-08T16:31:23Z

Resource Volunteer Day

mcoxz — 2012-01-10T17:14:24Z

Be a steward of a State Natural Area…we can’t do it without you! Assist Natural area Resource Specialists with various resource-related projects such as biological surveys, invasive species removal, trail/road maintenance, research projects, and more! These workdays will take place from 9am to noon the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. If interested, please call or email Niki Lake (210-688-9055 ext. 292, niki.lake@tpwd.state.tx.us) or James Rice (210-688-9055 ext. 294, james.rice@tpwd.state.tx.us) for details about projects and equipment needed. We look forward to working with you! Bring water. .

Hike the Canyon

mcoxz — 2011-12-08T16:35:00Z

Kids Hike

mcoxz — 2012-01-10T17:20:00Z

Join Resource Specialist Niki Lake on a kid-oriented 1 mile hike on the frontcountry trails of Government Canyon State Natural Area and participate in a unique natural and cultural resource scavenger hunt in the process!

Explore the Canyon

mcoxz — 2011-12-08T16:34:44Z

Resource Volunteer Day

mcoxz — 2012-01-10T17:15:30Z

Canyon Interpretive Run

mcoxz — 2012-01-10T17:12:07Z

Join Resource Specialist Niki Lake and Elite Ultramarathoner Liza Howard on an approximately 12 mile interpretive run to the Protected Habitat area of Government Canyon SNA. The run will take place on rocky and uneven terrain with some elevation gain. There will be several interpretive stops at which we will talk about the flora, fauna, and natural and cultural history of GCSNA as well as running-related topics and invaluable advice from Liza. Participants must be able to run 12 miles at a slow/moderate pace. Running shoes are necessary. Open to ages 14 and older; minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian; no pets please. Meet at the rainwater harvesting tower at the GCSNA Visitor’s Center. Bring water. Reservations required. Please include name, age (if under 18), email address and phone number.