San Angelo State Park

Trail
50.00 Miles
N/A
$4.00
4stars (4.20)540
halfstar (0.92)
4point5stars (4.64)
N/A
Yes
N/A
N/A
San Angelo
Tom Green
More Info
Photos
Spring is in the Air
Saw numerous stalks like this scattered through the park. Agaritas are blooming and there are numerous yellow flowers as well. (Photo by MikeHikes)
A Nice Sunrise
A colorful West Texas sunrise. (Photo by MikeHikes)
A Few White Crowned Sparrows Were Out
Not many birds were spotted while hiking but near Bell's Trailhead, there were a few of these females in the brush. (Photo by MikeHikes)
Moonset in the Morning
A clear early morning with some color as the Sun rose behind me. (Photo by MikeHikes)
A Big Buck
I was surprised I got relatively close to him as he looked for food. Once he saw me, he quickly departed. (Photo by MikeHikes)
Ham on the Trotter
Didn't notice him until I went through my photos of the rock that was dry due to the ongoing drought. Feral hogs are destructive and not wanted at the park. (Photo by MikeHikes)
Not Much Going On
The medical helicopter flying overhead was the only thing of interest I saw while hiking today. (Photo by MikeHikes)
San Angelo SP Sunrise
Not much to see at the park except for the colorful sunrise. (Photo by MikeHikes)
FINALLY Have Some Water in the River!
This is the view from the River Bend Campground looking at a portion of the North Concho River. A few weeks ago, this was completely dry but last weeks rain shower helped quite a bit. Still need FEET of rain to eradicate the drought. (Photo by MikeHikes)
Porcupine at the Watering Hole
Been a few years since I last saw a porcupine at the park and this one seemed very mobile. I watched him go from one side of the watering hole to the other before he disappeared in the woods. (Photo by MikeHikes)
A very small Ring Collared Snake
This guy was between 5-6 inches long and slithered rather quickly off the trail as I photographed him. (Photo by MikeHikes)
Sunrise at Burkett Park
No good photos of today's hike except right at the beginning when the Sun rose. (Photo by MikeHikes)

Only showing last 12 photos. View All Photos

Log Entries
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to 5 Point Junction Loop
By MikeHikes on 3/14/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 8.70 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes

Leg 1 -  Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Rolelrcoaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek (NE) > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction       4.0 miles

Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (NE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park    4.7 miles

Temp started at 60, ended at 76.  Sunny with very light SW 0-5mph breeze.

Easy peaceful hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails.  Some birds have become more active now that Spring is in the air.  Saw a couple of large flocks of birds heading North.  Few animals were out though.  More yellow flowers are blooming and some yuccas (?) as well with a center stalk of flowers (photo attached).  All in all it was a very nice hike along familiar trails.

NOTES -

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

Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.

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

South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
By MikeHikes on 3/6/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 8.10 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park      3.9 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > park service road (N) > Horny Toad > Talley Valley > Chaparral > Playground parking area    4.2 miles

Temp started at 44, ended at 58.  Light N wind at 0-5mph.  Cloudy.

An eventful hike.  On my first leg I picked up a bag of trash and when I arrived at Burkett Park, discovered a folding knife I had attached to my belt, had come off.  Decided to re-trace my steps and hopefully find the knife.  I did so always watching both sides of the trail and found more trash AND found my knife lying in the middle of the trail about 2/3 of the way back.  Great!

It must have been ordained that I would lose and later find, my knife because near the dropped knife was a previously unseen number of broken bottles and old cans which I picked up. A little later, the trail gods thanked me for my diligence because near the end of one trail segment, lying right in the middle of the dirt trail, was a small stone arrowhead! 

Agaritas are in bloom and the air was fairly heavy with their scent of honey, mesquite wood smoke and dust - VERY pleasant.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground Parking Area.

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

South Shore - Roadrunner Loop
By MikeHikes on 2/17/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 3.10 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Playground parking area - Roadrunner Loop - Playground parking area   3.1 miles

Temp started at 30, ended at 30.  Overcast, strong N to NNE wind 20-30mph

An abbreviated hike today as my original planned hike in the park's mid-section was thwarted by the Road Lizards having a run along the trails.  It was a VERY cold and windy day with the arrival of a temporary cold front.  Unfortunately, some of the agarita bushes have started to bloom so the flowers will be short lived. 

No photos taken, just picked up trash along the trail.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.

Info kiosk and toilets available at three points along Roadrunner.  Water and shade available at numerous campsites along the loop.

 

South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop + Roadrunner Loop
By MikeHikes on 2/9/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 9.70 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 45 minutes

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park     3.4 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area    3.0 miles

Leg 3 -  Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area   3.3 miles

Temp started at 45, ended at 65.  Overcast, little to no wind.

A quiet, easy hike along dry trails.  Nothing of interest happened although I saw a Red Shafted Flicker, a hawk and some deer - no photographs taken.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground Parking area.

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

Toilets and info kiosks available at three locations along Roadrunner Loop.  Water and shade available at campsites along the Loop.

North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Ghost Camp Loop
By MikeHikes on 2/5/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 7.60 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > Ghost Camp Trail    5.0 miles

Leg 2 -  Ghost Camp Trail > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead     2.6 miles

Temp started at 45, ended at 55.  Patly to mostly cloudy.  NW wind at 10mph. 

Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails.  Not much wildlife once I hit the trail.   Driving to the parking area, I saw two "herds" of deer - each group had at least 15-20 deer per group!  I also saw the largest porcupine ever slowly crossing the park road - unfortunately there was not enough  light for a photo.  I was surprised how many watering holes along the riverbed still had water in them, also saw water in the creek by the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area. 

Hike was uneventful but peaceful!

NOTES -

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead.  Water and shade available at nearby campground.

Water, shade,  and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.

Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
By MikeHikes on 1/28/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 7.90 Miles Duration: 4 hours

Leg 1 -  Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail > Flintstone Trail > 5 Points Junction   4.2 miles

Leg 2 -  5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek Trail (E) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park    3.7 miles

Temp started at 35, ended at 62.  Sunny, 0-5mph northerly breeze, sunny.

Trails were easy to see and traverse, mostly damp but progressively drier as time passed.  Nothing of interest to be seen, just a few birds out and agroup of eight deer when I first came into the park.

NOTES -

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

Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.

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

South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
By MikeHikes on 1/18/2024
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 7.50 Miles Duration: 4 hours

Leg 1 -  Playground parking ara > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park     3.8 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area    3.7 miles

Temp started at 36, ended at 61.  Sunny with 10mph SW breeze.

1st hike of the new year.  Last year I -

Starting mileage for 2023 -  3898

Ending mileage  for 2023 -  4298.3

Total mileage for the year -  400.3

Total hikes for the year     -  46

After a long period of time, I was able to resume hiking today. Trails were dry, easy to see and traverse.

I saw LOTS of deer at various places in the park as well as about half a dozen Loggerhead Shrikes, a few Meadowlarks and a couple of other kinds of birds.  Only saw one Turkey Vulture flying overhead.  Not much to report so will make this short.

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 availabvle at Burkett park.

South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park - Short Loop
By MikeHikes on 10/26/2023
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 6.40 Miles Duration: 3 hours

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

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lankey Lackey > Nature Trail > Horny Toad > Playground parking area    3.4 miles

Temps started at 72, ended at 82.  Sunny with some high overcast clouds, fairly steady SSW breeze of 5-10mph.  Slightly humid.

Easy hike along damp to slightly muddy trails that were fairly easy to traverse.  The park received almost three inches of rain earlier this week whcih was certainly welcome but we need a whole lot more.  The trails were fairly easy to traverse and find places to step without becoming mired in mud.  Of note was the fact that I saw a Killdeer for the first time this year!  They are normally fairly common but these past few years, not so common.  I aslo saw a Scissortail, a Loggerhead Shrike and surprisingly, a small ring collared snake.  No photos taken.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at the Playground Parking Area.

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

North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook - Figure 8 Loop
By MikeHikes on 10/20/2023
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 7.50 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Rocky Creek > Lower Big Hill > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground> Lower Ghost Camp > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook    3.6 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Javelina Trail> River Bend Trail > Badlands > Upper Big Hill > Rocky Creek > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead   3.9 miles

Temps started at 52, ended at 86.  Sunny with a very light (1-5 mph) wind.

A quiet, relaxing hike along recently groomed trails that are easy to see and traverse.  The animal activity was limited to a few deer and later, to seeing the rear end of a feral hog as he grubbed along a river bank visible from Cougar Overlook (photo attached).  Not many birds were out and the scenery was about the same as it was last month - no real difference and no color change even though Fall is officially here.   

NOTES -

Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead.  Water and shade are available in the nearby campground.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.

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

 

Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction - Figure 8
By MikeHikes on 10/12/2023
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 8.30 Miles Duration: 4 hours

Leg 1 -  Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek (E) > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction     4.6 miles

Leg 2 -  5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (E) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park    3.7 miles

Temp started at 68, ended at 78.  Sunny with 15-20mph SSW wind with stronger gusts.

Easy hike along dry, easy to traverse trails.  Very little animal activity and virtually no bird activity either.  The Monarch butterflies are migrating and the strong winds kept them in place as I only saw a few fluttering close to the ground.  Nonetheless, it was pleasant to hike, feel the sun and wind on my skin and hear the strong winds blow.

NOTES -

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

Water, shade and info kiosk at Bell's Point.

Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction.

Only showing last 10 log entries. View All Log Entries

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