Final month, I noticed a social media submit by the Nice Springs Venture, an initiative to construct a extra in depth path community between Austin and San Antonio, a few new park opening in Comal County. I knew I needed to test it out.
On Nov. 1, Comal County officers and different companions introduced the general public opening of the Morton Protect, a 288-acre wildlife sanctuary with a brief strolling path. As a result of the park serves as an endangered hen refuge, individuals can solely go to outdoors of mating season, so from September by means of February. Guests should make reservations forward of time on this webpage.
Any newly preserved public land and wildlife habitat is welcome within the better San Antonio space, one of many quickest rising the U.S. In Comal County alone, the inhabitants grew by 32,435 individuals — greater than 20% — between April 2020 and July 2024, in line with Census knowledge. Extra residents means extra stress on the area’s present parks and trails.
Comal County acquired the land primarily as a protect for the golden-cheeked warbler, an endangered songbird that spends its winters in Mexico and Central America earlier than flying north to the Texas Hill Nation to nest every summer season. It builds its nests within the combined juniper-oak woodlands, the place it makes use of strips of juniper bark stitched along with spider silk to construct the tiny cups the place it raises its chicks.
The county bought the 288-acre property utilizing a $652,312 grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, although it’s not clear whether or not this quantity lined the complete price. Most of this acreage shouldn’t be open for guests, because the park solely has a half-mile path section. Due to its quick mileage surrounded by several types of habitat, this path is a great spot for birdwatching — strolling slowly and stopping to look at and pay attention.
Other than the golden-cheeked warbler, the protect may additionally comprise habitat for different endangered species. These embrace the tricolored bat, the hoary bat, the monarch butterfly and the American bumblebee, Comal County engineer Robert Boyd informed me in an e-mail. Nonetheless, none of those different species have been recognized on the web site.
As a result of the Morton Protect’s goal is principally as a warbler refuge, individuals can solely go to when the warblers are away for the winter. Throughout these months, reservations can be found beginning at 7 a.m., with the final obtainable at 5 p.m. The park closes at sundown.
Different posted guidelines require guests keep on the path always. Additionally, no canine allowed, no motorized automobiles on the path, no smoking, no alcohol, no glass containers and no tenting. “No littering” can be on the checklist, however I hope this goes with out saying for Trailist readers.
Discovering the protect is a bit complicated, as there’s no map or clear instructions on the protect webpage. It’s situated on the finish of Bluff Finish Highway, which branches off River Highway simply west of the Third Crossing over the Guadalupe River.
Morton PreserveOffers: Strolling, birdwatchingLocation: On the finish of Bluff Finish Highway, which branches off River Highway simply west of the Third Crossing (29.79863931323201, -98.1708122553313)Path miles: Half a mile of double-track filth pathRestrooms: No restrooms or ingesting water
Bluff Finish Highway is a steep filth street that climbs the bluff on the south aspect of the river valley. About 800 ft from River Highway is a non-public street that branches off to the left. Don’t take this street; observe the principle street because it curves to the fitting and continues climbing uphill.
Nobody else was on this street when my spouse, Jess, and I visited on Nov. 9. We continued driving up Bluff Finish Highway, passing different non-public driveways and previous automobiles parked alongside the street. We handed by means of a number of open gates marked with no trespassing indicators and purple paint that confused us. Nonetheless, we saved climbing and finally reached a car parking zone with an indication that clearly marked the protect (and the tip of the street).
On the high of the bluff, the tree line opens to a shocking view of the Guadalupe River, the strains of cypress and different bushes surrounding the river and pastures farther from the river’s edges. This vista, among the many most lovely I’ve seen within the Hill Nation, to me is without doubt one of the foremost attracts to the protect.
The half-mile path passes by means of some enticing woods and meadows, although none with a view just like the one on the entrance. It’s a easy double-track path that continues over straight, flat floor and takes a slight bend close to the tip. The one means out is to show again and observe the identical path.
Just a few hundred ft in from the car parking zone is a concrete slab that Boyd mentioned was as soon as a home. The county eliminated it earlier than opening the protect.
“This slab could possibly be used to develop a pavilion with studying stations about nature and wildlife, together with restrooms, sooner or later,” Boyd mentioned.
