Leg 1 -  Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction          4.2 miles

Leg 2 -  5 Points Junction > River Bend > park service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction           2.8 miles

Leg 3 -  5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > park service road (NE) > park service road (SW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park  1.9 miles

Temps started at 69, ended at 76.  Sunny, slightly humid with steady SW winds at 10-15mph.

Trails were dry to damp from the humidity and spotty rains over the past few days.  Because of the much needed rain, the warm temps and the time of year, the vegetation has really gone through a growth spurt and many parts of the numerous trails I was on today are in need of a trim.  The grasses and growth are easy to walk through BUT there is the ever present and very real danger of stepping on or near a rattlesnake.  The only snake I saw today was a ring collared snake about 8 - 12 inches long that was lying motionless next to the trail.  When I went to get a photo, it flipped it's red tipped tail at me and slithered off.

Wild flowers are becoming a more common sight with yellow and white being the predominant colors with splashes of blue and purple from "wine cups".  The numerous bee bushes were flowering as well and the pleasant scent of vanilla was always present on today's hike.  Animals spotted were deer and cottontail rabbits as well as an armadillo (photo attached) which was very large!  I haven't seen an armadillo in a few years so seeing this one was nice! 

A brief explanation about the attached photo - I do not believe it is ethical to antagonize, provoke or interrupt any animals, birds or insects while trying to get a photograph.  This armadillo had climbed up the slope after I departed Cougar Overlook and I only saw him by chance.  Rather than interrupt or deter him from his intended path, I chose to simply record what I saw and not interrupt him as he nonchalantly wandered into the brush.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.

Water, shade and an info kiosk are available at 5 Points Junction.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.

SPECIAL NOTE - With the submission of this report, I am now Number 1 in TOTAL DISTANCE with 5144.80 miles on the Texas Hiking website !

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park       3.0 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla FLats > Playground parking area   3.7 miles

Temps started at 70, ended at 77. Overcast then partly cloudy and humid with steady 5-10mph SW breeze.

Shortened hike along wet to muddy trails.  I planned to do a longer hike but with the trail being as muddy and slippery as it was, decided to forego a longer hike and settled for a shorter one.  Deer, cottontail rabbits, a Roadrunner as well as the return of The King (photo attached) were spotted.  Other birds were out singing for mates but overall it was a case of "I hear the birds but they are staying too low to photograph."  One exception - after flushing out numerous coveys of quail while hiking, I finally spotted one quail running along the ground.  Also, at Isabel Harte Day Use Area, there appear to be a pair or even two pairs of Killdeer that are now park residents.  I'd like to see some hatchlings but I'll have to wait a bit to do so.

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.

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park   4.0 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral >Playground parking area    2.8 miles

Leg 3 -  Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area    3.1 miles

Temps started at 69, ended at 84.  Sunny with a steady Southerly 10 mph breeze.  Slight humidity.

Mileage based on prior hike - no pedometer today!

Easy hike along familiar trails.  Quite a few deer were out including a younger one or two.  Birds were singing for mates and a few high flying pairs of cormoronts and Great Blue Herons were heading North.  Not much to see except another sign Spring has arrived - the bee brush(bush) has started to bloom on some of the bushes along Tasajilla Flats and Roadrunner Trails (photo attached).  The faint scent of vanilla combined with the scent of the agarita blooms on nearby plants was a pleasure to enjoy.

SPECIAL INFO -  today was the first time in a few years I had a rattlesnake encounter.  It happened on the last mile of Roadrunner loop near the gatehouse.  I was hiking back to Playground when I heard a "buzzing" sound coming from the left.  My first thought was to look at the nearby mesquite for a cicada and wondered why it was out so early.  The buzzing increased and I quickly realized it was a rattler but I didn't see him.  I moved as far to the right as possible and hurriedly walk away until the noise abatted.  Curious, I slowly walked back and as I did the ratttling increased so I stopped and finally saw the 3-4 foot long snake - he was coiled into a strike pose about 10 feet away from me hidden in the shaded grass near the left edge of the trail.  I backed away again until he stopped rattling and watched as he uncoiled and slowly made his way to the mesquite tree.

I was near the gatehouse and reported it to the rangers.  They said mine was the third report this week - and today is Wednesday!  ALWAYS watch where you place your feet!!!

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 trailhead.  Be advised the water hose needs to be gripped near the base otherwise you will be sprayed as it has a crack in it.

Water and shade are available at various campsites along Roadrunner Loop.  There are three areas with water, shade, info kiosks and toilets available at various place along Roadrunner Loop.