Hidden between the developed areas of South Texas are some fascinating ecosystems. Lake Corpus Christi State Park is proud to help one of those ecosystems — the Tamualipan thornscrub — persist. One of the best places in the park to witness the thornscrub is on the rambling Catfish Point Trail.

The sandy 1-mile trail ventures out into a peninsula of land that rises from Lake Corpus Christi. The trail starts at a slightly higher elevation, and visitors quickly experience the fantastical sights, sounds and textures of the brush. Deeply grooved hackberry, smooth yet peeling persimmon and spiky-beyond-belief brasil trees are some of the first you’ll encounter.

Emerging from the depths of the scrub come the distinctive caws of the green jay and the haunting croaks of the great blue heron. Depending on the time of year, there may be flowers of all colors or delectable fruit nestled within the thorns and vines.

Further down the trail, the scenery starts to change as the elevation dips closer to lake level. At the halfway point, the thornscrub suddenly transforms into an unobstructed view of the water. Spend some time here to enjoy the lake breeze.

Once you’ve cooled off and start heading back up the gently rolling incline, take notice of the sandpapery anacua leaves, the spiny protection of the prickly pear cactus, the imprints of wildlife tracks in the sand and all the beautiful and bizarre insects that find a home in the ball moss.

The Tamualipan thornscrub can be deceptive to new visitors, but don’t let the dense tangle fool you. Make sure you take a little extra time (or a lot of it) to notice the never-ending treasure trove of life that it protects.