Photography Hike: Light, Landscapes, and Textures in Nature (Martin Tract)

05/11/2025 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM CT

Description

Photography Hike at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Bring your cameras and enjoy the many photo opportunities at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge!

This photo stroll will be a great way to stop and appreciate the beauty of the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

Guided hike leader and photographer Richard Gaines will share information on the refuge and share photography tips to help you get some great photos of this beautiful area!

On this hike we will be walking the trails of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, and stopping frequently to take photos of the beauty around the Refuge.

Who is this hike for?

If you are interested in nature photography and continuing to expand your skill sets, then this hike is for you! Any level of photography experience is welcome, we will walk and experiment together.

You will be walking and hiking throughout this event, and therefore we recommend you only bring the gear you have that is easily portable. Tip: Any kind of camera will work – including your smartphone.

How difficult is this hike?

This 2.8 mile hike will be along an old 2-track ranch road that has 377 feet of elevation gains. The loose rocks combined with short steep slopes make this mostly un-shaded trail a moderately difficult 2.5 - 3 hour hike.

We hike at a moderate pace and have several stops along the way to discuss plants, geology, birds, habitats and more!

Enjoy long ranging views, learn about how the refuge has changed over time and the conservation work done today to enhance habitats for native Texas Hill Country plants and wildlife.

EQUIPMENT: In addition to bringing your photography equipment, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also recommended for added stability.

Meeting Location

BCNWR Headquarters: 24518 Ranch Road 1431, Marble Falls, TX

Since this hike is on the weekend when the visitor center is closed, one of the hike leaders will meet you at the gate to the headquarters of Balcones Canyonlands NWR and give you access to the main parking lot.  Once all registered participants are checked in, we will go to the trailhead from there.

Please be there 15 minutes before the hike start time so that we can start the hike promptly.  Once the hike begins, no one will be monitoring the gate.

GOOGLE MAP LINK

Facilities

Please note that since this is not a public trail, restrooms and drinking water are not available at the trailhead. Lago Vista is ~9 minutes from the trailhead and a convenient place to stop prior to arriving at the headquarters!

Group Size

Registration is limited to 20 participants for this hike.

Weather Advisory and Other Cancellations

In the event that we need to cancel due to extreme weather or other unforeseen conditions you will be notified via email and text.

Participant Cancellations

Our hikes are popular and often have wait lists, if you need to cancel, we ask that you try to do so at least 48 hours in advance so that a wait-list participant is notified in adequate time to be able to join us on the trail!

To CANCEL:

Send us an email to hikes@friendsofbalcones.org