Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/18/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 4.0 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (S)> Potts Creek (ENE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.5 miles
Temp started at 33, ended at 44. Clear and sunny w/5-10mph NNE winds.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Not many birds or animals out while hiking due to the cold. All trails were easily passable. There is still water in a few areas but lack of rainfall is hurting the environment. A few deer and a small group of javelinas were spotted as I drove out of the park.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Isabel Harte Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/12/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.30 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Route - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > service road (N) > Chaparral > Playground parking area 4.3 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 50. Sunny w/steady 10mph Northerly wind.
Easy hike along damp to dry trails. All trails easy to see and traverse. Small birds were visible this morning as well as a small group of deer. There were more people on the trails than expected but it was not a large number, just more than expected.
LOTS of White Crowned Sparrows (photo attached). Also saw Mockingbirds, Pryluxoiia, a Loggerhead Shrike and a few Golden Fronted Woodpeckers. Weather was cool and the wind was constant but it was still a very nice hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parkign rea.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook - Short Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 1/3/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > service road (W) > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (N) > Cougar Overlook 4.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > River Bend (N) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Lower Big Hill > service road (dirt) (N) > Dinosaur Trail (N) > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
Temp started at 34, ended at 52. Sunny then overcast with a steady 5mph Northerly wind.
Easy hike along dry and familiar trails. It's been a few months since I've hiked at the North Shore. What surprised me the most is that the North Concho River has water in it and it is flowing - albeit a V-E-R-Y S-L-O-O-O-W flow but a little flow is better than no flow. Because of the cold, there was minimal animal activity except for a few deer and a Great Horned Owl sitting at the top of a bare tree.
As the day lightened, more birds were seen including Cardinals and ducks (photo attached) but not in great numbers.
This was the first hike for the year -
Starting mileage - 4636.7
Avg hike distance - 8.05
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are availabvle at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade are available at nearby campsites.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at the River Bend Campground.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/30/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster 3.3 miles
Leg 2 - Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.5 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake >Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.8 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 80. Sunny with a 10-15mph Westerly breeze.
Relaxing hike along dry and familiar trails. NUMEROUS deer were seen south of Burkett Park. Quite a few birds were out as well including hawks (photo attached), a Great Horned owl, various small birds and some large flocks of black birds traveling to the lake.
Nothing really happened - it was just a relaxing hike.
FINAL HIKE OF 2024 -
Miles at beginning of year -- 4298.3
Miles at end of the year --- 4636.7
Miles hiked for the year --- 338.4
Number of hikes for year --- 41
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park (Short Loop)
User:
MikeHikes - 12/25/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.80 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Horny Toad> Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.0 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.8 miles
Temps started at 50, ended at 58. Overcast then clearing to sunny skies and light breeze.
Easy hike along dry and familiar trails. Bird activity was good and we saw a Loggerhead Shrike, Kestrel, Mockers, Meadowlarks, Phyrluxxia, Sparrows, a Curved Billed Thrasher and white crowned sparrows. A few deer were seen as well as a lone Cottontail Rabbit.
Good relaxing hike!
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shde, info kiosk and dry toilets availavle at Burkett Park. EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough is still dry but water is available at the fountain.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook
User:
MikeHikes - 12/13/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster Trail > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend Trail > service road (NW) > Cougar Overlook 5.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park > 2.8 miles
Temp stayed at 50 and ended at 64. Cloudy and overcast for Leg 1 then clear, sunny and windy (SW 15-20mph) for Leg 2.
Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. The trails seem to be noticeably rockier due to wind and rain eroding the loose soil from the trails. Consequently, caution is advised on some trails due to the possibility of twisting an ankle on the uneven rocky trail foundation. Not all trails are like this but more than enough are so watch your step. I was very surprised when I crossed Turkey Creek and saw flowing water! Granted it was not a steady rushing stream but even a trickle is better than nothing.
Very few birds were seen and the only wildlife I saw were three deer right when I came into the park.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park. EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough is dry but water is available via a hose at the fountain.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction. A horse trough is available as well.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground to Burkett Park (Short Loop) + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/5/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park 3.1 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.7 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 54. Overcast, damp with 0-5mph NE breeze. Later, a little more sun with 5-15mph NE wind.
A very nice, easy hike along damp trails that were easy to see and traverse. Hunting was going on along the park Mid and North sections so I saw quite a few deer in the South Shore "sanctuary". Unfortunately there were no other animals present and not many birds either. Not much to report.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at the Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough only has rain water in it but a water hose is available.
Water and shade are available at numerous campsites along Roadrunner Loop. There are three stations that have water, shade, info kiosk and toilets along the Loop as well.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 11/25/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.70 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 55. Sunny, light SW breeze changed to NW 10-15mph wind.
An easy hike along dew dampened trails that were easy to see and traverse. A few strands of Gayfeather flowers were seen as well as a large number of Bee Bush shrubs! Quite a few deer were out as well as two hawks, a javelina and a pair of Ruby Crowned Kinglets (photo attached) - the first ones I've seen this Winter. It was a quiet, enjoyable hike overall.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground Parking Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. NOTE TO EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough is still dry but water is available via a hose at the fountain.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 11/15/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (Long) > Cougar Overlook 3.0 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (NNE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 5.0 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 68. Sunny, infrequent 0-5mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along damp to muddy trails. Trails are easy to see and traverse but there are spots where, due to the recent heavy rains, the topsoil is gone and the trail is very rocky. Yet in other spots, the trail is smooth with the additional topsoil was on top of the rocks! Just be aware that the same trail can have different characteristics.
Not many animals spotted although I was surprised to see this very young javelina (photo attached). He came out of the underbrush and did not hesitate to walk towards me. I had no desire to meet his parent so I made noise and the javelina ran into the brush and disappeared. Hopefully he had merely wandered away from his parent and was not an orphan.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. Horse trough is still dry.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, and info kiosk are available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Playground to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 11/6/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats> Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.8 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.9 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temps started at 44, ended at 77. Sunny with 0-5mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along familiar trails. Hunting was on-going from Burkett Park North so those trails were closed. Deer, javelinas and numerous birds were spotted. There were no other people on the trails so it was anice and relaxing hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair staion available at Playground Parking Arera.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. NOTE - on this day the water trough was empty and looked ready to be cleaned.
Water and shade available at numerous campsites along Roadrunner Loop. Three places have toilets, water and info kiosks.
South Shore - Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 10/16/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.10 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area
Temp started at 57, ended at 64. Sunny with a steady ENE wind at 10-15mph.
A simple, easy exercise hike along Roadrunner Trail Loop. Nothing of import to report, just had to get out and stretch my legs. No photos for this trip.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water and shade available at campsites along Roadrunner Loop. There are three stations along the trail that provide water, shade, info kiosk and toilets.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook - Short Lazy 8 Route
User:
MikeHikes - 10/2/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.40 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Lower Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Ghost Camp Shortcut > Lower Ghost Camp > Upper Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > North Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > dirt road parallel to Lower Big Hill > Rocky Creek Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.2 miles
Temps started at 58, ended at 80. Sunny with intermittent 0-5mph breeze.
The Monarchs are migrating! The park is on their migration path and as the temperatures warmed up, the Monarchs were very visible as they rested on the pecan trees and fed on the gayfeather flowers that are in bloom. The river still has water in it but the water is no longer flowing into the reservoir. Hopefully, we will get more rain and get the water flowing again.
Near Cougar Overlook on the return leg, I encountered three good sized feral hogs (photo attached). They began to walk toward me on Javelina Trail but when I made a noise they immediately broke contact and went back into the bush.
Not many birds were out but I spotted Curved Billed Thrashers, Scissortails, Cardinals and a few others.
All in all, an easy and very pleasant hike.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at nearby campsites.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 9/27/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.9 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temps started at 59, ended at 85. Sunny with 0-5mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along dry or dew dampened trails. A female javelina and two little ones were spotted along Winding Snake Trail, bird activity was all the usual suspects - Mockers, Sparrows, turkey vultures and Loggerhead Shrikes. A single tiny toad was almost stepped on along Horny Toad Trail.
A note to dog owners who bring their dogs to the park - it's great that you pick up your dog's scat so other animals or trail users do not get into it BUT after bagging your pet's scat TAKE THE GREEN PLASTIC BAG CONTAINING YOUR DOG'S SHIT AND PUT IT IN A TRASH CAN - ESPECIALLY IF THE BURKETT PARK TRAILHEAD TRASH CAN IS LESS THAN 50 YARDS FROM WHERE YOU LEFT SAID BAG OF SHIT ON THE WINDING SNAKE TRAIL.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at the Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk, dry toilets and TRASH CANS are available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets are available at three locations along Roadrunner Loop. Water and shade available at numerous campsites along the same trail.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 9/20/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 4.3 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (S) > Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.8 miles
Temps started at 74, ended at 86. Overcast for Leg 1, sunny for Leg 2. SSW breeze at 0-5mph.
Easy hike along dry trails. Nothing of note except the large number of toads on the West Potts Creek Trail! I saw about 30-40 of them and have attached a photo to show the size - they are tiny! I assume the recent rains caused the toad eggs to hatch at the same time but it's possible the large group of tiny toads I saw in the same area are siblings. In either case, they need to hop away from the trail or they will be crushed by shoes or tires.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 9/16/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.80 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 68, ended at 86. Sunny and light breeze from SW at 0-5 mph.
Easy hike along dew dampened trails. Not much damage from the rains of a few weeks ago. Bee bush is already blooming and it's vanilla scent was in the air. Saw a few more birds out including a Loggerhead Shrike. At the end of the hike, a pair of roadrunners chattered and made their presence known. One in particular watched me as I hiked (photo attached).
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground Parking Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook and Back Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 9/8/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 6.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > connector (NE) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > North Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.4 miles
Temp started at 60, eneded at 82. Clear and sunny with a 0-5mph intermittent NE breeze.
We had some heavy rains last week that have made a mark on the park! O.C. Fisher was at .8% capacity (NOT a typo) and is now at 7.7% capacity almost 10 times the amount of water as before! The North Concho River is still flowing into the lake and the river basin is full of fish including a large amount of gar. Unfortunately, there are some rought spots where flood debris has made a mess of the trails but for the most part, the trails although muddy, are passable and in fairly good shape. Because the rain waters followed the trails, the trails have been eroded somewhat. Caution is advised if hiking!
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available in the nearby campgrounds.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, sahde, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook to 5 Points Junction and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 8/30/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead > service road to Cougar Overlook > Cougar Overlook 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 1.3 miles
Leg 3 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > service road to Armadillo Pavillion (NE) > Potts CReek (NE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.4 miles
Temp started at 77, ended at 91. Sunny, slightly humid with a light 5-10mph SW breeze.
All trails were dry with a few patches of mud from a brief downpour received two days earlier. Deer, a fox, a couple of roadrunners and a tortoise (photo attached) were spotted today. I also saw a few Queen butterflies and the purple thistle is coming out in places - Fall is approaching although the current temperatures are not indicative of it.
Not many birds were out today but the park is having a spurt of "green" becauise of the recent rains. More rain is predicted and that is always a good thing in West Texas.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park
Shade, inof kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade and an info kiosk are available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Burkett Park to Armadillo Ridge and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 8/22/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.40 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > Armadillo Pavillion service road (NE) > Playground by-pass (S) > Potts Creek Trail > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 4.4 miles
Termp started at 80, ended at 102. Sunny and H-O-T with 10mph SW breeze.
A very short hike due to heat and a time crunch. All trails were dry, easy to see and traverse. Not much bird activity but I did get a photo of a Roadrunner getting a drink from a horse trough at Burkett Park after I finished my hike (photo attached). Cottontail rabbits, Jack Rabbits, deer and a few javelinas were spotted. Bird activity was minimal no doubt due to the heat.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 8/16/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.20 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temp started at 79, ended at 92. Sunny w/steady SW 10-15mph breeze.
An easy hike along familiar trails. Does and fawns, Cottontails and Black Eared rabbits, birds and javelinas were spotted. The trails themselves were dry and easy to traverse. Rain is desperately needed but none is in sight for the forseeable future which is VERY bad - the lake is at .9% capacity and the mudflats are very visible even from a distance.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets are available at three points along Roadrunner Loop with water and shade available at numerous campsites along the loop as well.
South Shore - Burkett Park to Armadillo Ridge then Isabel Harte Short Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 8/12/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WA to LL Connector > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo Ridge > Potts Creek (East) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 4.0 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Park road to Isabel Harte (WEST) > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.3 miles
Temp started at 78, ended at 89. Sunny with a steady 10-15mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. Not much went on other than watching a 20 javelina stroing column cross my path about 20 yards in front of me. Also saw numerous cottontail rabbits as wll as does and fawns. Not much bird activity.
It was an easy, peaceful hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
South Shore - Burkett Park to Armadillo Ridge to Playground Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 7/29/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.70 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.9 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 2.9 miles
Temp started at 77, ended at 92. Mostly sunny w/clouds. Humid w/fairly steady 10-20mph SSW breeze.
A nice hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. LOTS of animals spotted today - fawns, cottontail rabbits, jack rabbits, a skunk, a VERY large javelina and a lone fox (photo attached). The fox was interesting because he saw me and stopped by a large prickly pear cactus bunch. I stopped and waited to see what he would do. When he saw I was only taking photos he very nonchalantly walked across my path about 15 feet away and climbed a hill. I watched as he went up a little then found a spot and laid down to nap. When I moved he opened his eyes but didn't move and as I looked back, he had already laid down again. Very trusting.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at the Playground parking area.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Bell's Point Short loop + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 7/17/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > service road (SW) > Playground (S) > Bell's Point > Playground (S) > Potts Creek (NE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 4.9 miles
Leg 2 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 78, ended at 90. Mostly sunny with high, whispy clouds. Slightly humid. SSW breeze at 0-5mph.
A different hike today so I could hike the trails in a different order. Animals spotted were jack rabbits, cottontail rabbits, javelinas and deer. Birds were also present including an Oriole that I hadn't seen in a while. This Kingbird looked regal so I had to take his photo (attached).
All trails were easy to see and traverse: for the most part, they were visibly groomed. Nothing unusal to report - this was just a pleasant hike going in a different order.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
Water and shade are available along Roadrunner Loop at various campsites. Water, info kiosk and toilets available at three locations along Roadrunner as well.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Short Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 7/10/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.40 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 14 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > dirt road to Armadillo Ridge > service road (WSW) > Turkey Creek (N) > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 5.1 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > service road (SW) > Trailhead to Trailhead Trail (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.3 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 90. Sunny w/slight 0-5mph WNW breeze.
Today was animal day! I counted thirteen fawns with five does, three javelinas, and one porcupine. Reptiles spotted were a coachwhip that was about three feet long, numerous lizards and a single Horned Toad. Birds were too numerous to count.
All flowers with the exception of one small stand of sunflowers, are gone. Cactus tunas are ripening and I watched a Mockingbird either eating one or a bug that was on one, when I stopped at Cougar Overlook (photo attached).
Overall a very nice hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge - Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 7/3/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster Trail > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.9 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.8 miles
Temps started at 78 and ended at 98. Sunny with steady 10-15mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along easy to see and traverse trails. A few things seen today - lots of deer and fawns, cottontail rabbits, a skunk and quite a few birds (photo attached). I was told by a mountain biker a cougar was spotted last week at 7 am near Burkett Park. Unfortunately, no camera was handy so no photos. I'd like to see a cougar but am not holding my breath.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.