Many of us know Canyon Lake as the "Water Recreational Capital of Texas", but did you know there are some great hiking and biking trails in the area?  

Whether you are a leisurely hiker or a mountain bike enthusiast, Canyon Lake hosts a number of hiking and biking trails that are both pleasurable and challenging.

To help acquaint you with the trails in the immediate Canyon Lake area, we have created the Canyon Lake, Texas Hiking and Biking Trail Guide which covers the following six trails:

1.      Canyon Dam Crest Trail---Hiking and Biking

2.      Canyon Lake Gorge---Hiking Only

3.      Guadalupe River South Trail--- Hiking Only

4.      Guadalupe River North Trail--- Hiking Only

5.      Madrone Trail---Hiking and Mountain Biking

6.      Old Hancock Trail---Hiking and Mountain Biking

Who knew that there are such fun trails right here in Canyon Lake that offer great views of Canyon Lake and/or the Guadalupe River! Now you have everything you need to go exploring--The Canyon Lake, Texas Hiking and Biking Trail.

In the guide you will find links to maps to get to the trailhead, photos, and trail specifics to help you determine which trail is right for you. We hope you will use this guide to experience the beauty of Canyon Lake and the Texas Hill Country.   See you out on the trail! 

Nancy Kincaid and Robert Duckworth 

Texas Hill Country Bluebonnets Surface!  

Great Links to Follow for Bluebonnet Sightings

Come spring in Texas, so come the wildflowers.  In the past that certainly has been the case, but in the spring of 2011 wildflowers were tough to find even in the Texas Hill Country. The devastating drought throughout the state especially during the fall and winter of 2010 prevented the seeds from germinating which kept the wildflowers from blooming.

What is the forecast for spring of 2012?  Good news. In an Associated Press article, the senior botanist at The University of Texas at Austin's Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Damon Waitt states:

"I know Texas has been in the news because of its drought but I think this spring we're going to be in the news for a good wildflower season.   It's looking good out in the field. Bluebonnets the size of saucers are hugging the ground right now, getting ready to bolt and send up their flowers."

Due to the beneficial autumn rains received in the northern, eastern, and central parts of the state, much of the state is expecting a blanket of bluebonnets, but unfortunately for the Panhandle, West Texas and South Texas, the wildflower crop may not be as good.

Before those of us who live in the Texas Hill Country jump for joy, be forewarned.  According to a recent entry in the TexasWildflowersPictures.com : 

Recent rains have spurred a great deal of growth in grasses and non-native weeds such as the invasive giant mustard (Rapistrum rugosum). This could prove very detrimental to native wildflowers that must compete with them. Although conditions have been good for a decent display of wildflowers this year, there may be many areas that will not be as showy because of this.

Regardless, those of us who live in Canyon Lake and elsewhere in the Texas Hill Country we'll keep our fingers crossed for a great crop of wildflowers.  So hurry to the Hill Country for the best viewing!  Click here, for great bluebonnet sighing links.

2012 Spring Calendar of Events

 

Kindermasken

Photo courtesy of New Braunfels Heritage Village.

March

3/3-28  Fiesta sponsored by New Braunfels Art League 239 West San Antonio Street, NB 830-629-8022

 

3/7/2012  "Art on the Beach" Benefitting Big Brothers, Big Sisters. This monthly event will introduce you to local artists who will sell their artwork. Each month features different kinds of art including paintings, sculptures, jewelry and photography just to name a few. 512.627.1020 6700 N. IH 35 New Braunfels, TX

3/10, 17. 24, 31 New Braunfels Farm to Market. Open every Saturday between 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM year round. Rain or shine! Tomato and Pumpkin Seedling Giveaway . Tomato and pumpkin seedling giveaway during the farmers market on March 10. Seedlings are free to children 12 and younger while supplies last. 9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM Downtown on Castell Avenue next to Friesenhaus Restaurant Event Location Map New Braunfels, TX

 

3/8/2012 Easter Egg Decoupage Class At the Sophienburg Museum and Archives Easter Egg Class- The art of decoupaging German Easter egg boxes. Morning class from 10-11:30 a.m.; evening class from 6:30-8 p.m. The cost is $10 for members, $15 for non-members. Phone 830-629-1572.

3/10 Tye Preston Memorial Library Free MOVIE: HUGO 1pm - 3pm 16311 South Access Road Canyon Lake, Texas 78133

           

3/11, Tye Preston Memorial Library Concert by string trio or quintet from Mid-Texas Symphony. 2pm - 4pm

 

3/17  St. Patrick's Day Block Party Kick your St. Patty's Day off at Gruene Harley-Davidson. Free green beer, giveaways, music, food, and more! 1288 Loop 337 New Braunfels, TX

 

3/17-18  TRAIN SHOW NBMR JAMBOREE  New Braunfels Model Railroad Jamboree Sat 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sun 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission: $7 Adults (18 & Older) $2 Child (5-17 Yrs. Old) N.B. Civic Center 375 S. Castell Ave.

 

3/17 "Living Organically" - Gardening event featuring lectures, vendors with plants and related items and demonstrations 9:00 AM TO 3: PM 1300 Church Hill Drive New Braunfels, TX 78130 (830) 832-9699

 

3/17  Old Gruene Market Days Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. Market hours are 10:00am-5:00pm. Free admission. For more information, visit www.gruenemarketdays.com or call (830) 832-1721. Gruene Rd New Braunfels, TX 78130 Event Location Map

 

3/17-18   Till Death Do Us Part "late night catechism 3"   A comedy. Brauntex Theater Sat 7:30 PM  Sun 2:30 PM Tickets $25/$30/$32 See website to buy tickets.

 

3/21 The Hit Men at the Brauntex Theater 7:30 PM Music of the 60's, 70's and 80's. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

 

3/22  Texas Legislative Conference 2012 & Texan of the Year Reception The 46th annual Texas Legislative Conference  in the New Braunfels Civic/Convention Center.  The 2012 Texan of the Year will be presented a special award on Thursday evening, March 22.  To find out more and register, click here.

 

3/24  THE  HERITAGE  MUSEUM The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country Earth Science Seminar 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Tye Preston Memorial Library. Everett Deschner will present facts about our Heritage Museum, the geology of the area, classification of fossils, information on the dinosaur tracks, and thoughts on evolution. Pre-registration will be required.  830 899-4542, email to museum@gvtc.com.

 

3/24  SpringFest 2012    10:30 AM to 3:30 PM Free to public. Annual festival with a great variety of music, food, games and vendors. On the Fair Grounds located at 801 Common St. New Braunfels , Tx. 936-852-3694

 

3/24  Home & Garden Show At Wursthalle, join us for new ideas and savings for your Home and Garden Tickets are just $5.00 at the door and Children 12 and under are FREE!  Event Location Map 178 Land Park Drive New Braunfels

 

3/24  ACS RfL Team Back Porch Friends Spring Fashion Show & Luncheon  Spring fundraiser for our Team benefitting American Cancer Society's Relay for Life of Comal County.Tickets are $20 pre-sale only. Deadline March 12  11:00 AM 830-305-2508

 

3/24 Texas Hill Country Opera & Arts presents Cosi fan tutte at the Brauntex Theater. 7:30 PM Tickets $25, $30 and $35.Comic opera meets The Republic of Texas in this original staging, set in San Antonio days before the historic Battle of the Alamo. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

  

 

April

4/1-28 Lasting Impressions Canyon Lake Art Guild at the New Braunfels Art League 239 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels 830-629-8022

 

4/1  Mid-Texas Symphony  Jackson Auditorium, Seguin - 4:00 p.m. "Compare and Contrast" Strauss and Beethoven performed. For ticket information contact,(830) 372-8089 or (830) 629-0336.

 

4/5  One Day Without Shoes- Barefoot Challenge  TOMs and TSr are raising awareness for kids who don't have shoes. The Barefoot Challenge is the ultimate TSR relay with wakeboarding, skateboarding, rock climbing, swimming and a beach dash! All you need to compete is a team of 5 and $5 a piece. 5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM 6700 IH 35 N New Braunfels, TX 

 

4/6  The Fab 5®: A Tribute to the Beatles at the Brauntex Theater7:30 PM THE FAB 5 performs the full range of The Beatles' discography live onstage. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

 

4/7  Easter Egg Hunt Bring the kiddos out for our annual Easter Egg Hunt. 9:00 to 10:00 AM For more details visit www.grueneharley.com

 

4/14  Spring Walkfest in Gruene The New Braunfels Marsch-und Wanderfruppe will sponsor a 5K & 10K walk sanctioned by the American Volksport Association. Starts at Gruene Hall. 830-625-6330 8:00 AM TO 12:00 PM 1601 Hunter Road New Braunfels

 

4/15  THE  HERITAGE  MUSEUM The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country Special Events Dinosaur Day 2012 12 noon. Educational talks continue at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. & 4 p.m. Enjoy Food & Drinks!

 

4/21-22 NB kidsFEST  is connecting families with local businesses for New Braunfels' largest-ever, kid-friendly, trade show-style festival. $2.00 Admission for adults and children. Free for 2 years and under. 10 AM to 6 PM at 1405 Gruene Road, New Braunfels. (located at Rockin' R property in Gruene)

 

4/21-22  Folkfest  A family heritage festival! Period crafts for children, historic reenactments, traditional craft demonstrations, food & fun for everyone! Sunday hours 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. 1370 Church Hill Drive New Braunfels, TX  830-629-6504 Admission: $5 Adult -- $2 Student 6 through 12 -- Children 5 and under are free See complete list of activities here.

 

4/21  Old Gruene Market Days Nearly 100 vendors offer uniquely crafted items, collectibles and packaged Texas foods. Market hours are 10:00am-5:00pm. Free admission. For more information, visit www.gruenemarketdays.com or call (830) 832-1721. Gruene Rd New Braunfels, TX  Event Location Map

 

4/21  Kindermasken Join in a New Braunfels tradition! Costumed children parade around Main Plaza as they have for more than 150 years. Children may wear any costume. No motorized vehicles or pets, please. 10:00 AM Main Plaza New Braunfels, TX  830-629-6504

 

4/21  Jim Curry performs A Tribute to John Denver at the Brauntex  Theater at 7:30 PM.  Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

 

4/22-28   Texas Woodcarvers Guild Conference The Spring meeting of the TX Woodcarvers Guild is your opportunity to watch & learn about the art of woodcarving. Classes for the beginner through advanced from 8 am - 4 pm. Classes in relief carving, chip carving, caricature carving, realistic human & animal carving...the list goes on. You are encouraged to drop by and see what it's all about. NB Civic Center 375 S. Castell Ave.   (469) 579-8328

 

4/28  Canyon Lake BBQ Cook Off The 14th Annual BBQ Cook-Off is set for Saturday, April 28th, 2012 @ Joint Base, San Antonio off Jacobs Creek Road 0n beautiful Canyon Lake. Contact the Canyon Lake Chamber of Commerce for more information at 830-964-2223 * 800-528-2104.

 

 

 

May

 

5/1-30  Art in Bloom New Braunfels Art League 239 West San Antonio Street, New Braunfels 830-629-8022

 5/4 and 6  River City Ballet presents Linchine's Graduation Ball featuring music by Johann Strauss II with En Vol at the Brauntex Theater. This is a must see for all ages! May 4 at 7:30 PM, May 6 at 4:00 PM Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

 

5/5  Wein & Saengerfest Festival offers wine and beer tastings, live musical entertainment, art market, grape stomp, Chef's Showdown, activities for kids, farmers market, food venues, all ending with a street dance. 12:30 PM TO 11:00 PM San Antonio Street & Castell Ave New Braunfels, TX 830-221-4350

 

5/6  MID - TEXAS SYMPHONY Romeo and Juliet meets West Side Story. Grofé's Grand Canyon Suite is enhanced by the spectacular photography of Robert Gardner. 2012 Civic Center, New Braunfels - 4:00 p.m.  375 S Castell Ave. For further ticket information, please contact the Mid-Texas Symphony office at (830) 372-8089 or (830) 629-0336 or mts@tlu.edu.

 

5/9  THE  HERITAGE  MUSEUM Special Events--Field Trip to Conservation Plaza in New Braunfels, Texas beginning at 9 a.m. The New Braunfels Conservation Society has restored and furnished 18 buildings to form a German village. These buildings are from 1849-1881 and were moved to their current location from downtown New Braunfels.

 

5/10  New Braunfels Ducks Unlimited Banquet Come join us at the Annual Comal County Ducks Unlimited Banquet. 6:00 PM TO 10:00 PM New Braunfels Civic Center - 375 S. Castell Ave  $60/Single $100/Couple $500/CorpTable $750/Sponsor Table

 

5/12  Dos Rios 5K Run  Runners and walkers will experience a unique-course traveling from the Guadalupe River to the Comal River and back again. 8 AM. Proceeds benefit the New Braunfels Parks Foundation 830-221-4350 Cypress Bend Park 500 Peace Avenue New Braunfels, TX

 

5/19  Salkerhake Rattle and Roll and Country Comedy Tour at The Brauntex at 7:30 PM. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.

 

5/27  Donny Edwards: A True Tribute to Elvis 3:00 PM at the Brauntex Theater. Click here for more information and to buy tickets.