Find Your Wild - Birding Guided Hike at Doeskin Ranch
Description
Meet our feathered friends with a birding walk at Doeskin Ranch!
Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week 11-18 October with us and make a difference for wildlife! Join The Friends of Balcones in #FindYourWild and show your support for the Refuge!
Find Your Wild is an annual event held during National Wildlife Refuge Week to raise funds for the Friends of Balcones Canyonlands NWR. By supporting this event, you’re helping us expand public access to the refuge while creating a healthier, greener community. Proceeds will directly support flood recovery efforts, trail repair and maintenance, and improvements that enhance the public’s experience on the refuge.
We invite you to support us with an optional donation when you register for the hike.
This guided walk is an excellent opportunity to learn about some of our most important residents of the Refuge!
Our guided hiking tours on public trails are a great introduction to the trail system at the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.
Who is this hike for?
This walk is for both those who already love birding, and for those who are just learning! This is an excellent opportunity to learn and spend time with others who are passionate about birding. If you enjoy greeting the morning with a quiet hike through beautiful hills, this is a great time to do so!
How difficult is this hike?
This hike will be at a "birding pace" - meaning we will stop frequently to observe or listen for birds. We will hike approximately 2-2.5 miles.
Doeskin Ranch has a mix of easy flat terrain as well as uphill and downhill climbs that we rate as moderately difficult due to the inclines and rocky trails.
The trails lead us through grasslands, and along creeks and also through mixed juniper oak hillsides.
TIME: This walk will be approximately 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on the birds we see and where we look for them!
EQUIPMENT: Bring your binoculars for observing birds, and some water for drinking. As always, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also highly recommended.
LOCATION: Doeskin Ranch is located at 10645 FM 1174 Bertram, TX 78605. If you are coming from the Austin area, take Highway 183A to Highway 29 and turn west. Take Hwy 29 for 3 miles and turn left (west) on Ranch Road 1869. Take RR 1869 for 10 miles until it ends at RR 1174, where you will turn left (south). The entrance to Doeskin Ranch will be 2.5 miles on your left (east).
There is a restroom at Doeskin Ranch!
START TIME:This hike starts at 8AM and should take approximately 2.5-3 hours.
EQUIPMENT: As always, wear appropriate shoes, bring plenty of water, bug spray, and sunscreen. Due to slippery rocks on the trail, hiking poles are also highly recommended.
PHONE RECEPTION: Some phone-based GPS’ will not work in this area. A printable/downloadable map can be found here.
GROUP SIZE:Registration is limited to 20 participants for this hike.
WEATHER ADVISORY & 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 at least two hours prior to the hike start time.
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! You can cancel in two ways:
Log in to your profile on the Friends website and use the my event registration link to cancel your registration
Send us an email at hikes@friendsofbalcones.or