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The Willow
City Loop
| When Texas is fortunate to
have an abundant wildflower season, the Willow City
Loop is one of the most popular tourist spots to be
found in this area. 2006 was the last time that the
wildflowers were simply beyond spectacular. |
| Located less that two hours
from The Summit, when the flowers are blooming it
would be difficult to find a more enjoyable way to
spend the day. Besides driving the Willow City Loop,
if you leave early you can also visit Fredericksburg,
Luckenbach, and the Wildseed Farm. |
| Again, the starting point is
at The Summit Vacation Resort, located in beautiful
Canyon Lake, Texas. From here you will take Highway
306 to the 281 intersection where you will be turning
right (north). Red highlights the Willow City Loop
route. Blue brings you back home. More on the return
trip later. |
| You will notice that in
Johnson City a lot of traffic takes a left turn at
the large highway signs toward Fredericksburg. But
to reach Willow City you will continue north on 281
for 3 miles until you see a small sign for Sandy,
Texas. |
| Turn left on Ranch Road
1323. Also, before leaving Johnson City a bathroom
stop is a must. After Johnson City there is only a
small, single-room restroom at Harry's in Willow
City. |
| Somehow, Sandy, Texas is
significant enough to be listed on road maps but
like a lot of odd things found on back roads, the town of
Sandy consists of only one building and it is never
open. |
| From Sandy it is a
17 mile drive to Willow City. When the wildflowers
are out in abundance, you will see them on both
sides of the road. For about ten miles this section
of the road also has a number of cattle guards that
you will drive over as you enter open-range. Because
of the lack of fences often times cattle will be
seen walking on the roadway. Therefore, caution
should be exercised. |
| One thing of interest will
be a large feed lot on the left-hand side of the road
containing sheep and cows. Needless to say the smell
from this feed lot overwhelms the fragrance of the
flowers, to say the least. |
| The road swings to the right
as you enter Willow City, which is about a block long.
(This photo is actually taken from the wrong
direction to give you the proper feeling of
approaching Harry's as you enter town from Sandy -
left to right.) On the left is Harry’s. On
weekends during the “flower season” there can be as
many as 200 motorcycles parked all around it,
including many parked on the street. Harry’s is more
of a bar than a restaurant but Harry usually has a pot
of stew cooking in his little kitchen. There is one
bathroom inside that ladies mostly use. Out back there
is an outhouse of sorts for the men. The next
bathrooms are in Fredericksburg, a couple hours away
(not distance-wise, but about how long it will take you
to enjoy the wildflowers before starting your return
trip back to The Summit). |
| This picture was taken
across the street from Harry’s, looking north. The
Willow City Loop is STRAIGHT ahead, down that narrow
road. Please take note that you are entering a
primitive section of road. Within a quarter mile
you will encounter several VERY sharp turns. The
entire loop is to be driven with care. You will
also want to have your camera ready. There are areas
where you will see other cars parked. There are no
official parking areas so you will just have to
improvise like everyone else. There are a number of
cattle guards you will have to cross, open range, and
low water crossings. But if the wildflowers are out,
this is what you will see. |
~ Return
Trip ~
| This map shows various
routes back to The Summit. You will be coming from
Fredericksburg on 290. You can turn right at the
yellow Shell gas station and visit Luckenbach, then
take 1888 to Blanco. Or, you can visit Luckenbach, double
back 5 miles to the gas station and turn right to
visit the Wildseed Farm; then on to Stonewall and turn
right on to Farm Road 1623 to Blanco. Of course you can
stay on 290 and drive to Johnson City; to 281 south to
Blanco; to 306. However, 1623 out of Stonewall is the recommended way
home. In Stonewall, look for the small Citgo gas
station. 1623 is just past it on your right.
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