Great Scenic Ride in Hill Country!

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

Yesterday, my wife and I drove up in the Hill Country past Bandera on Highway 16 toward Kerville. We turned on Texas Ranch/Farm Road 337 toward Vanderpool. It must rain there more often as everything was green and the view is GREAT with steep hills and deep valleys. I actually had to use my LOW gear to go up and down some of those hills...and lots of turns. This area is the best I have seen to date. Has anyone else been on this road?

Highway 16 is quite delightful and yes, I've been on FM 337 but from Medina to Rocksprings. Hmmm, I think 337 went all the way to Rocksprings. Maybe it stopped at Camp Wood. Anyway, I drove to Rocksprings and it's nice, desolate and rugged, and I really liked it out there. I believe FM 337 was voted one of the best roads in Texas for motorcyclists.

I went during Spring Break one year and it wasn't all that green then. I think much of Texas has "greened up" since the beginning of August. A few rain storms will usually change it from brown to green fairly rapidly.

[TexasNick]

Enchanted rock is free to get in if you just tell them you want to take a quick look around and leave.

[case44]

I'm due for another trip. My only problem is that, number one, I don't want to put too many more miles on my car (I plan to get a new car next year), and, number two, gas prices are still way too high that I'd have to sacrifice something else financially and personally. Can't really go right now, but if I get the urge and can make it happen, then I'm there.

[texasdreamin]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

Highway 16 is quite delightful and yes, I've been on FM 337 but from Medina to Rocksprings. Hmmm, I think 337 went all the way to Rocksprings. Maybe it stopped at Camp Wood. Anyway, I drove to Rocksprings and it's nice, desolate and rugged, and I really liked it out there. I believe FM 337 was voted one of the best roads in Texas for motorcyclists.

I went during Spring Break one year and it wasn't all that green then. I think much of Texas has "greened up" since the beginning of August. A few rain storms will usually change it from brown to green fairly rapidly.

I made this drive in Nov, 2006, from Camp Wood to Spring Branch. It was a beautiful drive. On my way to Camp Wood from Spring Branch, I took another route. I went I10 to 377 and then 55 into Camp Wood. 377 had some HUGE hills. I went to buy land in Camp Wood but was too disappointed. The city is not kept up, but has so much potential. Plus, any decent shopping or medical care was half hour or more away...but the drive to and fro was a journey and very memorable. Another beautiful route, with nice hills, was 83, from Leakey.

[Canine*Castle]

Originally Posted by texasdreamin

I made this drive in Nov, 2006, from Camp Wood to Spring Branch. It was a beautiful drive. On my way to Camp Wood from Spring Branch, I took another route. I went I10 to 377 and then 55 into Camp Wood. 377 had some HUGE hills. I went to buy land in Camp Wood but was too disappointed. The city is not kept up, but has so much potential. Plus, any decent shopping or medical care was half hour or more away...but the drive to and fro was a journey and very memorable. Another beautiful route, with nice hills, was 83, from Leakey.

I was disappointed in the town of Camp Wood too. It was very trashed, much poverty there, but being financially poor doesn't mean people should be lazy and trash their neighborhoods. Leakey wasn't as bad, but it was bad. It's a shame that happens because all it does is spoil what would otherwise be quite lovely areas. I just don't get people who live like that and there's so much of it in small towns in Texas.

[Trainwreck20]

My folks live out near enchanted rock, and we go out there on the weekend when we get a chance. If you live cycling or motorcycling, there are many, many miles of small roads between Hwy 16 and Hwy 87 (and even further west toward Doss) that are wonderful. The traffic is almost non-existent. Driving them would be fine, too, but beware that top speeds are limited by the curves and various livestock on the roads. My wife is sort thinking that maybe she will take her camera on a few rides and start a photo series on the 'Gates of Gillespie County' .

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by Canine*Castle

I was disappointed in the town of Camp Wood too. It was very trashed, much poverty there, but being financially poor doesn't mean people should be lazy and trash their neighborhoods. Leakey wasn't as bad, but it was bad. It's a shame that happens because all it does is spoil what would otherwise be quite lovely areas. I just don't get people who live like that and there's so much of it in small towns in Texas.

Beautiful drive to Camp Wood from the northeast along 337; however, my wife and I were both disappointed in Camp Wood. We liked Leakey better.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

Yesterday, my wife and I drove up in the Hill Country past Bandera on Highway 16 toward Kerville. We turned on Texas Ranch/Farm Road 337 toward Vanderpool. It must rain there more often as everything was green and the view is GREAT with steep hills and deep valleys. I actually had to use my LOW gear to go up and down some of those hills...and lots of turns. This area is the best I have seen to date. Has anyone else been on this road?

Well, have you ever heard of "Hell Week?"

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by PanTerra

Well, have you ever heard of "Hell Week?"

No. When I said low gear, I meant my car. Sounds interesting but I would rather have some metal around me while on the roads around here.

[PanTerra]

Originally Posted by Steel Man

No. When I said low gear, I meant my car. Sounds interesting but I would rather have some metal around me while on the roads around here.

Ah, I should have read it closer. Words like "drive" and being in "low" gear going down should have been big clues.