Indian Lodge and Its Trail

Today Jack treated us to lunch at the Black Bear Restaurant in Indian Lodge.

This sprawling structure,

built by the CCC from 1934-36. This tribute to them is in the lobby.

The building nestles in the hills at Davis Mountain State Park and the lodge and the restaurant are operated by the park.

Coming in from the back, Bud and I walked along the outdoor decks in front of the rooms.

There are plenty of places to relax.

The pool is not open.

This is the largest outdoor courtyard.

We found our way through the beautiful lobby,

and then with a bit of direction, to the restaurant.

Looking at this emergency exit diagram you can see how it might be confusing getting around.

We exited through other courtyards…

and other outdoor passages.

The lodge had been closed for over a year for renovations, but the feel and furnishings of its era have been retained, as you can see from this picture I took peeking through the window of an empty room.

After lunch Jack and I tackled the Indian Lodge Trail.

The trail is only a mile and a half long, probably around two and a half including a connecting trail and the walk back, but it is the only trail labeled “challenging” on the trail guide. It goes up very steeply behind the lodge.

I was happy to stop for photos of the blooming yucca…

and this little lizard. I also took the photos of the lodge that began this post.

Eventually you arrive on the top of the hill.

From up here there are views of the far side where the highway and Limpia Creek are.

Here you can see the dry bed of Limpia Creek running to the east. A park volunteer told me this creek didn’t dry up until recently when increased population in the Davis Mountains and increased use of well water lowered the water table.

On the east end of the ridge the terrain gets rugged.

It’s slow going here. Four years ago Matey and I did this trail. Poor Matey would never make it, now.

But Jack and I successfully negotiated the rough parts and returned to his truck at the lodge. He drove me back to our campsite as it is about a mile from the lodge. Indian Lodge and its challenging trail are a special part of Davis Mountains State Park.