Beautiful views, some steepish bits

Parked at the main lot and hiked east to the dam (crossed on the rocks below the dam).  Stumbled around a bit trying to find the real trail on the far side--would have been easier if I had crossed by the eastern mini-parking lot.

Some of the hilltop views from this trail are really beautiful, and the copious cedars mean that the hike has a lovely, spicy smell.

I didn't have time to go into the golden-cheeked warbler preserve, unfortunately, but it was nevertheless quite a nice hike.  There are some inclines that are a bit aggressive, which is either a good thing or an annoying thing, depending on your preferences, but in between there were plenty of mostly level bits.

Botanizing was a mixed bag--SO MANY junipers and silktassels, over and over--but I did spot a pretty little native orchid and a gnarly old escarpment black cherry, so that was nifty.