Caprock Trail
This .52 mile trail forms a loop behind the Hardwicke Interpretive Center. The Prairie Trail and three sections of the Riverbottom Trail branch from it so hikers should pay close attention to trail markers. While this trail is not difficult, there are two sets of stairs that require special attention when descending and/or ascending. The stairs date from the 1930s and were carved from local limestone by men in the Civilian Conservation Corps- a work relief program in operation during the Great Depression. There are two spots on this trail with benches where hikers can rest and observe nature.
The Caprock Trail begins on a limestone ridge then loops down through patches of mixed grasses and trees. Examine the rocks closely and you will see that they are made of thousands of fossilized shellfish that lived here 90-120 million years ago. These ancient marine creatures formed a giant oyster bed under a shallow sea. As the seas retreated and glaciers melted, a rushing river carved a shallow valley through the soft rock. The west fork of the Trinity River now lies where this ancient torrent flowed. The limestone promontory is gradually cracking and eroding to form highly alkaline soil that nourishes the hardy plants of this area.
The plants surrounding this trail are a mix of drought tolerant grasses, Prickly Pear Cactus, and yucca interspersed with Post Oaks, Cedar Elms, and understory plants like Greenbriar. Fox dens and Nine-banded Armadillo burrows can sometimes be spotted on the hillsides. The rolling calls of woodpeckers are a frequent backdrop for walks on this trail.