Each year, we travel to a different part of the state for our Fall RoundUp event. This year we round up in far-western Texas.

We understand this is a long drive for most so we have created the event page early to give everyone time for planning. Mark your calendars and log a Will Attend to keep abreast of developments.

Fort Davis is at over 5000 feet in elevation and the average October high and low temperatures range between 78 and 47F.  Freezes and snow are unlikely but can occur.  Dress accordingly!

Here is a little background/history on the Davis Mountains State Park.  There is an entrance fee to the State Park.

Davis Mountains State Park — Texas Parks & Wildlife

Department<https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/davis-mountains>

The park is a 2,709-acre state park located in the Davis Mountains in Jeff Davis County, TX. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5,000 and 6,000 ft above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a local family.

Interest in developing a state park in the Davis Mountains began in earnest in 1923 when the Texas Legislature directed the newly created State Parks Board to investigate the area. However, the Parks Board failed to secure any land donations and had no appropriations to buy the land.

By 1933, the Great Depression had so devastated the local economy that landowners agreed to donate 560 acres for the park. CCC Companies 879 and 881 arrived in June 1933 and began organizing their encampment, which they named Camp Washington Seawell, after the first commander of nearby Fort Davis. Their developments in the park included roads, an overlook shelter, two mess halls, stone picnic tables, fireplaces and steps, a latrine and “Indian Lodge,” a motel and visitor facility. The Civilian Conservation Corps built “Indian Lodge” in the 1930s.

The park is next to the Fort Davis National Historic Site and the two are connected by four miles of hiking trails. Within the park is the “Indian Lodge”, an adobe motel with thirty-nine rooms (The hotel is currently under renovation). Sixteen rooms were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s (completed in 1939) and twenty-four were added in a 1967 expansion by Texas Parks and Wildlife. A large bird blind next to the main road offers enclosed and open viewing areas for the many species of birds that are attracted to the feeders near the blind.

Here is our initial agenda for the weekend (we will be updating the page with actual event information once events are finalized 3 months out)

Thursday – October 17th – 6pm – Locks of Love Flash Mob – https://coord.info/GCAVQWM

 Friday – October 18th – 6pm – Spicewood Restaurant in Alpine – https://coord.info/GCAW3J3

– 8pm – Marfa Lights Viewing Area (20 miles from Alpine) –

https://coord.info/GCAVRZT

– 10pm – After Hours in Alpine – https://coord.info/GCAW3N1

Saturday – October 19th

– 10am – Roundup Activities

 *   Local Cachers will be putting out additional caches for the event

 *   Closest to the Pin

 *   Poker Run

*   SWAG Purchase

– 2pm – Ice Cream Social in Fort Davis (Located at the Caboose across the highway from the entrance to the Fort Davis Historic Site) –

https://coord.info/GCAVT03

– 6pm – TXGA Cookout/Potluck – https://coord.info/GCAVT0X

 *   TXGA provides hamburgers/hotdogs, fixing’s, and utensils/plates.

*   Each group/family should bring a potluck item for sharing.

*   Everyone is responsible for their own beverages. (Alcohol is not allowed in any Texas state park.)

*   Bring chairs

Sunday – October 20th

– 9am – CITO – https://coord.info/GCAVT12