Southwest Highways Texas Outdoors & Farm November 2012 | Page 4

Fall foliage New England is famous for it's fabulous maple color show each fall, and late September in the rocky mountains brings brilliant golden aspen leaves, but not many folks think of Texas as a fall color destination; however, travel options for 'leef-peepers' are generous in the lone star state. One of the best destinations to see the leaves change is Lost Maples State Natural Area near Vanderpool. Here, Bigtooth Maples don their vivid shades of orange, yellow, and red From late October until the middle of November. The park has 30 water/electric campsites, along with 40 backcountry hike-in sites if You really want to experience nature. Campsites fill up quickly on weekends during the leaf season, so reserve sites several months in advance, or go during the week, when the park is less crowded. But the bigtooth maple isn't the only colorful tree in the fall; Flame-leaf Sumac is a small tree that turns a lovely shade of red in late October. A walk in the Hill Country or the trans-pecos mountains may reward you with the sight of this native wonder. Flame-leaf Sumac Rhus lanceolata Photo by Sally & Andy Wasowski 3 Texas Outdoors & Farm Magazine November 2012