Balmorhea Springs, McDonald Observatory & The Davis Mountains
Deep in the heart of West Texas, San Solomon Spring bubbles forth an amazing 26 million gallons of pure spring water every day. Balmorhea State Park is an oasis set among the foothills of the Davis Mountains four miles west of Balmorhea on U.S. 290. A 1.75 -acre pool, touted as the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Average water temperature is 72-76 degrees year round. Here you’ll find the best freshwater diving in Texas, with visibility which often exceeds 80 feet. You may see two endangered fish species, the Comanche Springs pupfish and the Pecos mosquito fish, along with minnows, perch, catfish, crayfish, and turtles.Everyone is welcome, non-divers, snorkelers, hikers, etc.
Date: October 16th - 19th , 2008
Cost:
Accomodation Fees:
Campsites with water $11 per day
Campsites with electricity $16 per day
Campsites with cable $17 per day
Hotel Room (2 double beds & kitchen) $248.50 per room for the weekend (no park fees if you stay in the hotel - No pets in hotel
Park Fee:
$5.00 per day per adult; no fee for 13 and under with unlimited diving between 8:00am - 10:00pm
Add $4.00 for night dive after 10:00pm
Itinerary
Thusday:
Depart: Austin (6 houre drive)
Arrive: Balmorhea at 6:00pm
Night Dive
Friday:
Dive, Dive, Dive
Hike around Davis Mountain
9:00pm to 11:00pm Star Party @ McDonald’s Observatory
$10 per person, $9 (kids 6-12) ~ Guided Tour
Observatory (6,300-6,800 ft. above sea level)
Dress Warmly!!!
Saturday:
Dive or Mcdonald’s Observatory Tour at 11:00am ($8 per person)
6:30pm Burgers & Potluck dinner at Lora’s room
Sunday - Drive home
Group Leader: Lora Dame
Notice: If you are staying at the park and will be arriving after 5pm, call the park and make arrangements for your key to be left on the bulletin board in front of the rangers house.
Balmorhea State Park is located on 45.9 acres in the foothills of the Davis Mountains southwest of Balmorhea in Reeves County. Facilities include restrooms with showers; campsites with a shade shelter and water; campsites with a shade shelter, water, and electricity; pull-through campsites with water, electricity, and cable TV hookups; campsites without a shade shelter, with water and electricity. San Solomon Springs Courts has rooms with and without kitchens, a dining hall/meeting room; chemically-free San Solomon Springs pool; a bathhouse; a playground; a concession building (open during the summer months); an outdoor sports area; and picnic sites. Visitors entering the park pay only the entrance fee; no separate pool fee. No lifeguards are on duty; swim at your own risk.
Park Details
Pool Hours: 8:ooam - 10:00pm
Water Temp: Approximately 73-75 f
Visibility = 60ft M
Max Depth = 21 feet
Air Temp: High= upper 80’s Low= upper 40’s
What to bring:
All personal divegear
Certification Card
Tanks (2-3 recommended, you are responsible for picking them up)
Dive light & batteries
Thermal protection (3mm full suit recommended)
Food & Ice chest - pick up everythingyou need in Austin or on the way. There is one grocery store in the town with limited selection.
Side dish for pot luck dinner. (dessert, beans, chips, etc.)
