Mammoth Moves to San Angelo State Park

Friday November 6; High 83; low 57

Friday was travel day. Our new destination was site 13 in the Red Arroyo Loop at San Angelo State Park.

Contrary to our usual habit--get up and go--we dawdled a little, taking a short farewell hike with our friends over to the campsite nearest the end of our loop, then an easy amble down to the river. I don't know why no one is camped at that site--it looks perfect. Note: if coming here again, try for sites 358, 360, or 364. The sun had started coming out of the haze as we packed up the RV, so by the time we were ready for the hike it was beautiful--but not so much as it had been the previous evening.

As we left the park and headed north, I busied myself trying to photograph the gorgeous scenery and the plum=colored (or is it coral colored?) sumac at the side of road. Here's the best I could do:

The terrain was hilly for a long time, then eventually evened out into plain old west Texas--which is great by me!  The visibility is near infinity, with layers on layers of long, far-away hills on the horizon. It's not flat like the Panhandle, of course, but it's definitely not home.

We arrived to find that our new campsite had a lake view--a very distant one. Our best guess was that the lake had never risen to expected levels or had fallen a whole lot over the years since it was built.  According to my research, the drought we'd experienced over the last few years had shrunk its acreage considerably.

The Texas parks website says:
O.C. Fisher was effectively dry in early 2015, but water levels improved in spring. TPWD has restocked the reservoir with largemouth bass, white crappie, blue catfish, channel catfish, and bluegill. Although a few large fish can be caught, most fish are small as they are only one to two years old. Contingent upon favorable water levels, fish populations will continue to improve and expand.

 

The campground was immediately made memorable--Harris' Hawks, two of them, patrolling the desert scrub! Beautiful birds!

 

 

I wrote this campsite review:
posted:
review RA013, Loop: RED ARROYO
         Fri Nov 6 (2:00) - Mon Nov 9 

Well-separated sites with peaceful views over Texas scrub landscape. There are two "camping units"--the South unit is along the shore of the drying remnants of the O.C. Fisher Reservoir; the landscape is gently rolling hills with low mesquite trees, cedar and a few scrubby oaks. Lots of prickly pear and a whole lot of evil little prickly burrs that hurt like heck and leave bristles behind when you pull them out. Harris' Hawks patrolled the hillside. Our site and the ones next to it had lake view (in the far distance).
The North Unit was along the river, with medium-sized deciduous trees providing shade and smashing fall colors. It seemed to be mostly tent sites and horse camping sites with corrals.
Our site was roomy, almost level (4" blocks under front levelers needed), and surfaced with small gravel. Covered concrete picnic table. Fire pit and barbeque grill. Only 1/2 occupied in November; quiet neighbors; very clean. Too close to city for good star viewing. Our only annoyances were the wind and the prickly burs in the mowed grass along the road, all to be expected in West Texas. Lots of well denoted walking trails and good map to them. The buffalo and the longhorn herds are in a fenced area; go during the morning feeding time if you want to see them.

I also saw a few birds: Brown Thrasher. Lots of cormorants, blackbird sp., coots, gulls. Didn't get close enough to ID the gulls, but I'll take some pictures tomorrow. Great Blue and Great Egret. Meadowlark. Strange little stripey birds eating thistle--could they have simply been house finches?   If so, all were female or immatures.