North Shore West Side Hike
User:
MikeHikes - 5/2/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Temp started at 75, cloudy and windy. At end, temp was 93, sunny and windy.
Hike began across the road (FM2288) from the park's North Shore entrance. Go through the gate and follow the dirt road/path until the end. Turn around and return along the same route. I suggest you pull up Google Earth and look at the satellite photos (as of this writing dated Mar 2015). The trail is easy to see as it runs along the North Concho river, which is mostly dry at this time.
The "trail" is an old dirt road which at points, narrows to a path, before widening out again. There are no trail markers and maintenance is minimal (IMO). The main reason I like this hike is simply to see the birds. The North Concho River runs through this area and the trail somewhat parallels the river. Bear in mind, the area is in a multi-year drought; major portions of the river are DRY.
Nonetheless, there are patches of water along the river and that is where the bird activity is. Great Blue Herons, various raptors, as well as different songbirds, can be seen if you're patient. Today, I saw Vermillions Flycatchers, a Painted Bunting, lots of smaller, less colorful birds, a few hawks and a Caracara - the second I've seen in all my time at the park.
The park's cattle were there in abundant numbers as well; numerous calves with both parents present.
NOTES
First and foremost - if you want to hike in this area, check with park personnel beforehand as this area is used extensively for hunting at various times of the year - even if the rest of the park doesn't allow hunting.
Private land borders this area so always know where you are and do not trepass!!!
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at the North Shore gatehouse where you will park your vehicle.
South Shore Playground parking area to Isabel Harte Loop and The Roadrunner
User:
MikeHikes - 4/24/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.90 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 1.4 miles
Leg 2 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > park road to Isabel Harte > Chaparral > Playground parking area 4.5 miles
Temp around 65 at start, end at 75. Sunny with light winds.
Easy hike along familiar trails. LOTS of bird activity singing and buidling nests. Trails all dry and easy to walk upon.
Not really a lot going on but enjoyable nonetheless.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett park and return
User:
MikeHikes - 4/18/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 4.3 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.7 miles
Temp started at 65, ended at 75. Sunny with strong, steady winds.
Leisurely hike on the major South Shore trails. Bird activity pretty high - saw this year's first Cedar Waxwings at two different locations, lots of birds singing for mates and a few of the Lace Cactus have blooms while others do not.
Trails are dry, visible and easy to traverse; some trash was found but not much. Overall, this was an easy hike on a beautiful Spring day.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout and back
User:
MikeHikes - 3/31/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Lookout 5.9 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Javalina > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > North Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.7 miles
Temps started at 65 and ended at 82, sunny with a few wispy clouds, strong steady winds.
A good hike on the North Shore trails. All trails had been groomed and for the most part, were easy to traverse. Last week, it rained and the cattle wandered along some of the wet, muddy trails leaving deep hoof prints. As the moisture evaporated, the prints hardened and what was mud, is now like concrete changing the trail from smooth to very rough. As time passes, the trails will even out again but in the meantime, caution is advised because it is easy to twist an ankle if you're not paying attention.
Lots of folks on the trail today - equestrians, bikers and hikers. Because of the strong winds, most of the smaller birds stayed low if they flew at all. The only birds flying were turkey vultures at higher altitudes. I saw this season's first Scissortail Flycatcher but didn't get a photo.
NOTES
Water is available at the campsite near Bell's Trailhead.
Water, shade and an info kiosk is available at the Dinosaur Tracking Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station is available at Cougar Lookout.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp. CAUTION - if you use the dry toilets be aware they are not serviced on a regular basis (bring your own TP!)
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett park and Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/25/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.20 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park 3.4 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 meters) > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.7 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temps start at 65, end at 85. Partly cloudy with light wind.
Nice hike although more people than usual. The trails were dry and easy to see. Birds were signing but not really visible and when they were, they stayed in the brush more than in the trees. There were more bushes, cacti and flowers in bloom and that meant a lot of bees were buzzing around. For some reason, the bees really enjoyed the blooms on the center stalk of the yucca plants.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water and shade available at campsites around the Roadrunner Loop. Toilet facilities are available at the mid-point.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett park and Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/17/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.9 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Temp start at 55, end at 85. Overcast then sunny, steady SW winds.
Walked the Roadrunner Loop first then continued on the other South Shore trails. ALL of the campsites in the park were occupied and there were quite a few people walking around but fairly few were on the trails. The warm weather has brought out the birds - lots of singing and fluttering to establish territories. Saw three Vermillion Flycatchers - the first I've seen this year.
Warm weather brings out snakes and although I didn't see any, a couple who were on the trail told me they saw a non-poisonous snake a few days ago. Was also told that not all rattlesnakes rattle - the guy said the snakes are not warning where they are because of the feral hogs. I guess the hogs consider the rattles a food bell and take on the snake! Will check this out later to see if it's true or not.
All in all, a good hike!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and touilets available at Playground parking area.
Water and shade available at numerous campsites along Roadrunner Loop and at the mid-point, there is a toilet/shower facility.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Park Mid-Section Winding Snake and Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 3/8/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.50 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 1.6 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 meters then West) > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 5.2 miles
Leg 3 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (NE) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Temps in mid-60's, high clouds but sunny, STRONG wind.
The trails were dry and easy to see. Most of the hike was in the portion of the park that had been burned this past Winter so there is still a lot of black or dead vegetation; of course the warmer weather is bringing out some green as well! Did a short hike along part of Winding Snake trail before returning to Burkett park and heading West then North. The strong wind kept most of the birds out of the air; those that flew only did so for short distances and stayed close to the ground. I was hiking along Playground trail and as I approached Bell's Point, an adult Grey Fox saw me and took off running down the hill. I hadn't seen a fox in awhile so this was a welcome sight!
On the trail, I kept catching whiffs of agarita bush in bloom. Scattered here and there were a few plants with their small yellow fragrant flowers in bloom; I was pleased to see the butterflies also discovered them. When I smell the blooms, I immediately think of hikes in the park, hot dust, mesquite wood smoke and honey - a very pleasant scent !!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 2/25/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park 3.4 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 meters then West) > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett trail > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 meters then West) > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.8 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 72. Sunny with high clouds and light wind.
Slower paced hike today over trails that were dry or slightly damp (due to last week's rain) depending on where you were. Quite a few birds were out - all the usual species as well as a Ruby Crowned Kinglet and an American Kestrel. Also saw a small herd of white tail deer on my return leg. What was somewhat unusual was the fairly large number of people out today - equestrians, mountain bikers, trail runners and hikers. All interactions were civil and courteous so no problems there!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Ghost Camp Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/16/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S 50 meters) > Dinosaur > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (S) > Badlands > River Bend > service road (NE) to ghost camp 4.3 miles
Return Service road (NE) to ghost camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend ghost camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail (N) > South Slick Rock > service road (NW) > North Scenic Loop > service road (NW) then (N) then (W) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 2.8 miles
Temps in 50's, high overcast clouds, windy.
Easy, slow paced hike on the North Shore trails. All trails are easy to see and traverse. Saw some birds and quite a few longhorns with their calves. As always, trash was picked up - old cans, broken glass and GU packets; sure wish folks would pick up after themselves.
Not a lot to say about today's hike except this hike put me over 2000 miles in Texas with the vast majority being at the San Angelo State Park.
NOTES
Water available in the campgrounds near Bell's Trailhead.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp.
South Shore Playground Parking Area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 2/10/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.6 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Burkett trail > Potts Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Lanky Lackey (20 meters) > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Temp dropped from 40 to 35, heavy overcast with strong, variable northerly winds.
Gloomy, cold day but a day on the trails is better than a day in the house. All the trails were easy to see and traverse. There were no animals observed but I saw an American Kestrel and some type of hawk, otherwise the bird activity was pretty low due to the strong, cold winds. Surprisingly, there were more people than usual on the trails either jogging or mountain biking. Today was the park's monthly "Volunteer Trail Maintenance Day" - I saw about a dozen volunteers gather at the Playground parking area as I prepared to hike. I didn't see them on the trails I hiked and when I returned to my car, they were gone.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Isabel Harte to Burkett park and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 2/8/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.40 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Route Isabel Harte > Winding Snake > Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > park road (ENE) to Isabel Harte > Isabel Harte 3.4 miles
Temps in low 30's to start, upper 30's at end. Sunny light and variable wind.
An easy stroll along familiar trails. Saw a small herd of deer, quite a few birds and four javalinas. Never got close enough to get a good photo of the javalinas since they maintained a good distance between us and them. The herd of deer were spotted in the dried lake bed as we prepared to hike - they disappeared in the brush just as we started to hike. Lots of birds including a Ruby Crowned Kinglet were seen.
Trails are dry and easy to traverse. Not much to report so will close.
NOTES
Shade available at Isabel Harte.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 2/3/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.50 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > DInosaur Tracks Area > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (WNW) > Badlands > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Lookout 5.9 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Javalina > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > South Slick Rock > service road (WNW) > North Scenic Loop > service road (E then NW) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
Temp 45, overcast, gloomy, sporadic rain, steady wind to start. Rain passed then sunny and warm-up to 65.
Gloomy hike to begin with not much going on. As I was coming to Cougar Lookout, the rains came down in earnest so I had to take shelter in a hunter blind for 10 minutes until the rains stopped. The weather continued to improve so by the time the hike ended, it was sunny and warm. The longhorns, with calves, are out in this section of the park so I gave them a wide berth. I saw an armadillo - being in Texas that shouldn't be unusual BUT it's the first one I've seen at the park in quite a while.
A few years ago, there were at least two beavers in the river next to Shady Trail. This part of Texas has been in a drought, the water levels lowered and the beavers disappeared. Today, along Shady Trail I found three trees that looked like they were recently felled by beavers (photo attached). Don't know why they've returned as we've had no rain and the river by Shady Trail has a VERY limited amount of water in it.
ADDENDUM (02-08-2018) - Park personnel confirmed there have been sightings of at least two beavers in the North Concho River near the Shady Trail.
NOTES
Water available in the camping area near Bell's Trailhead.
Water, info kiosk and shade available at Dinosaur Tracks Area.
Info kiosk, shade and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Lookout.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp.
Park Mid-Section Burkett park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/31/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.20 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett park> Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > service road (NE) 4.2 miles
Return service road (NE) > service road (SW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 2.0 miles
Temps start at 45 end at 50, sunny, steady wind.
Easy stroll through some trails and service roads I haven't been on in awhile. Park personnel had groomed a good portion of West Potts Creek and Turkey Creek trails. In addition, the service roads we were on had recently been scraped and the roads widened. I believe this was done prior to the controlled fires because most of the hike was through recently burned areas. Of course, the fires exposed old bottles and a few other pieces of trash that we picked up. No wildlife and not many birds were seen.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Playground parking area to Isabel Harte Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/29/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.70 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Route Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > park road (NE) to Isable Harte > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 4.7 miles
Temp start at 30, end at 37. Sunny with slight, northerly winds.
Trails recently groomed so very easy to see and traverse; especially Red Dam Loop. A few deer were out at first but quickly disappeared. Quite a few birds were seen but they were mostly different kinds of sparrows with a couple of Meadowlarks. Not much was going on but it was a pleasant hike nonetheless.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to Cougar Lookout Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 1/14/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 11.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point > Flintstone (N) > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (N) > Cougar Lookout 6.1 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > service road (SW) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 4.9 miles
Temps started at 40 and ended at 60, sunny, steady wind.
Park was closed for a few days for a controlled burn which happened to be in the section I hiked. The trails are easy to find and so are a few deer/cow trails that may throw you off if you don't know where you're going. Not all the vegetation has been burned so it's not a desolate vista.
Not many birds out and no animals were seen.
A long, good hike but nothing special happened today.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Info kiosk, shade and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Lookout.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 1/7/2018
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Temps in the low 50's, overcast with a strong, steady wind.
First entry for 2018 - starting with 1946.5 miles hiked with 250 log entries for Texas and 1972.6 miles hiked with 256 log entries nation-wide.
Gray, gloomy day but still good for a hike at the park. Trails were dry and easy to traverse. There were some birds out but because of the strong winds, they tended to stay low in the scrub and trees. Besides the usual suspects, I saw a Verdin (photo attached), the first in a couple of years and in a part of the park I'd never encountered one before. Also saw a fairly large flock (25-30 birds) of Goldfinches hunting for seeds in the dried sunflower and thistle heads. A few white tail deer spotted rounded out the wildlife observed today.
Nothing else to report, so will close.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Playground parking area to Isabel Harte and back
User:
MikeHikes - 12/15/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.40 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Route Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > park road (NE) to Isabel Harte > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 4.4 miles
Temps in the mid 30's, sunny with high clouds, somewhat steady light Northerly wind.
Trails were dry and easy to traverse, the deer were out as were the birds. I saw a large buck, then a smaller one and finally a very young buck with spikes. Then near the end of the hike, I saw three Goldfinches - the first in a few years!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Shade and dry toilets available at Isabel Harte Day Use Area.
South Shore Isabel Harte to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/13/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.40 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Route Isabel Harte Day Use Area > Winding Snake > Burkett park > Lankey Lackey > park road (NE) to Isabel Harte Day Use Area 3.4 miles
Temps in the low 30's at start, low 40's at end. Sunny and slight breeze.
Easy hike along dry, clear trails. Saw quite a few deer and some birds. Frost was still on the ground so there wasn't a lot of activity until we got close to deer then they'd take off running. Also saw a single javalina in the dried lake bottom.
NOTES
Shade and dry toilets available at Isabel Harte.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Tasajilla Flats Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/11/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.30 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Route Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Temps in the upper 30's to start and mid 40's at end, sunny, no wind.
A quiet, easy hike along some trails I'm rarely on. The trails were dry, in fairly good repair and easy to hike on. There were some birds out and, as a bonus, we saw a larger than expected number of deer running around; survivors of the recent hunts.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 12/10/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.9 miles
Temp start at 40, end at 73. Sunny with wispy upper level clouds, light wind.
A crowded day at the park! The warm weather brought out a lot of people today - mountain bikers, hikers and a few trail joggers. The trails are in good condition, dry and easy to traverse. Park personnel have groomed a few portions of the trails as well.
Usual birds were out - Mockingbirds, White Crowned Sparrows, Black Throated Sparrows, Pyrrhuloxia, and a few raptors. No animals except for part of the official Texas Longhorn herd which were in the hiking area near Armadillo Ridge. Not much to report other than it was a pleasant hike!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 11/26/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.6 miles
Temp start at 50, end at 70, sunny, light southerly wind.
Park was crowded with holiday guests and there were more people on the trails as well. Trails were in good condition except portions of Red Dam Loop are still overgrown but passable. Lots of birds out, especially White Crowned Sparrows; seeing more raptors as well. Also saw a feral cat on Winding Snake. He was unaware of my presence for a little while but when he saw me, he was off in an instant (photo attached).
All in all, it was a good hike!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, infor kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Park Mid-Section Burkett park to 5 Points Junction
User:
MikeHikes - 11/3/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.70 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Out Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo (ENE) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 3.9 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (E) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail . Burkett park 3.8 miles
Temp start at 50, end at 78, sunny, few clouds, light breeze.
A hike with a purpose. Been reports of a white deer, not an albino, near Bell's Point. We looked and couldn't find a white deer but we did see this season's first Ruby Crowned Kinglet (photo attached).
The trails are well maintained with the exception of Playground trail and it is in need of grooming and in a few places, some rock or dirt to fill eroded areas. Still passable but ....
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Water, shde and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore Playground parking area to Nature Loop figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 11/1/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.20 Miles
Duration: N/A
Route Playground parking area > Chaparral > Tally Valley > Horny Toad (N)> service road (W) > Tasajilla Flats (N) > Nature Loop (S) > Horny Toad (S) > Tasajilla Flats (E) > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temp from 50-52, sunny, light breeze and mild.
Easy hike along some lesser used trails. Tally Valley and Horny Toad are in need of some maintenance, i.e., filling in rough spots with rock or dirt, but otherwise all trails in pretty good condition. Saw some deer, a Kestrel and numerous small birds. Very pleasant hike on a beautiful Fall-like morning!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett park
User:
MikeHikes - 10/27/2017
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.60 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.5 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temps in the low 40's, strong North wind, sunny.
A cold front moved through the area giving perfect weather for a hike! All the trails were easy to traverse; the vegetation is dying out and there were no snakes to look out for. Saw individual birds here and there although near the end of the hike, we saw a few small groups of whitetail deer.
Only picked up a few pieces of trash on the trails so it was a good hike.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.