The river here runs on sand rather than clay, and that change is the beginning of something: the highway is entering the belt of deep sandy soils that supports the isolated pine forest a few miles ahead. Sandbars, clear runs and a bottom of loose quartz grains distinguish this reach from the muddy Colorado further down. The sand came from the same source as the pines' foothold — an ancient river delta laid down about 50 million years ago and left as a stripe of loose sediment running across the state.
Getting there
30.0128, -97.1611
Locations are approximate and may be inaccurate, on private land, or otherwise inaccessible. Check before you travel.
Hear it from the road
Whistlestop tells you this story automatically when you drive past. No searching, no tapping, nothing to ask.
