A Long Trail - Up And Back
By Blaze on 2/15/2013
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Distance: 8.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
This trail is a paved asphalt path that is long and mostly straight, but winding in places. The trailhead officially starts near the exercise area just west of Groeshke Road and goes a little over 3.25 miles out to Highway 6 and back. If you choose to, you can cross Highway 6 and continue your walk into Bear Creek Pioneer Park.
There are distance markers on this trail every 1/4 mile. The trail crosses roads at two points, however, which is not optimal. Groeshke Road is a two-lane road and there are no stop signs for vehicles, so look before you cross. Cars will often start honking as they approach this pedestrian crossing to let you know they are coming. The other road, Barker Cypress Road, is a busy multi-lane road. You have to stop at the intersection and press the "walk" button. It can take several minutes for the light to change and for you to get the "go ahead" to cross. This, unfortunately, causes you to break your stride and takes you out of the element as you go from enjoying the trance-like state a walk often provides to being alert and dogding traffic. Real bummer.
Once you get across Barker Cypress Road, however, it's a long 3 miles of trail out ot Highway 6. Lots of joggers and cyclists. Along the way, you'll pass by the runway approach to the West Houston Municipal Airport and a small cemetary. Aside from that, though, there's really not much to see as the scenery is quite boring. It is a long trail, however, so you have a good chance to stretch out your legs and burn some calories.
For added distance, you can actually catch the beginning of the paved asphalt from the park entrance on Saums Road. This will give you at least another 1/2 mile. On your way back, after you cross the "finish" line, you can continue walking through the paved trails that spaghetti throughout the pavillion and picnic areas near South Mayde Creek. It's quite nice here, but the trails are not very long.
If you like long walks like I do, I recommend parking your car in the first parking lot near Pavillion A, then walking back to the park entrance to catch the trail from the beginning at Saums Road.