Leg 1 -  Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek (E) > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction    4.5 miles

Leg 2 -  5 Points Junction > Flintstone Trail (N) > Cougar Overlook > service road (W) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction     2.6 miles

Leg 3 -  5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (E) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park     3.4 miles

Temp started at 47, ended at 80.  Sunny w/light 0-5mph SW breeze changing to 10-15mph West and NW winds.

Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails.  One white tail deer was spotted and some birds.  LOTS of people on the trails today as it was a Saturday and nice weather, once it warmed up.  Birds were singing for mates, a few were photographed but nothing spectacular (photo attached).  Flowers are appearing, particularly small yellow flowers and small bunches of purple-ish flowers.  The agaritas are still blooming as well.  Overall a pleasant hike.

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.

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

Leg 1 -  Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail > Flintstone> 5 Points Junction > River Bend Trail > service road (NW) > Cougar Overlook      4.6 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone (S) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (W) > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park     5.7 miles

Temps started at 60, ended at 80.  Fairly steady 5-10mph NW breeze.  Sunny skies

Easy hike along dry easy to traverse trails.  Only animnals seen were some deer at the park entrance.  Birds - not many but I saw a Northern Flicker at some distance (photo attached) away and then he took off.  Haven't seen flickers for a few years so seeing one was nice.  One good thing is that the agarita bushes are blooming in more places and with the steady wind the scent of the blooms was more noticeable than before.  A very heady aroma!

There are still spots of water here and there for the birds and animals but the ground is otherwise dry as we are in a severe drought with no relief in sight.  This brings up something to consider if you hike the park - with the prolonged dryness the soil on the trails is, and will continue to be, dry and loose which means a twisted ankle if you are not careful.  There are many places where the topsoil is thin to non-existent and depending on the trail, it is easy for your foot to slip on the loose soil.

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.

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

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park     2.8 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster Trail     3.5 miles

Leg 3 -  Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground Parking Area    3.3 miles

Temp started at 40, ended at 79.  Sunny with steady 15-20 Westerly wind.

Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails.  Only wildlife spotted was a herd of deer right at the park entrance otherwise, no animals were sighted.  Bird activity was also at a minimum due to the high winds.  I saw more agarita bushes with blooms and today, I watched a bee look for pollen (photo attached).  There were more people and bikes on the trail than I normally encounter but it was not unexpected - today is Saturday and is also the last of the warm days before we are hit with another Arctic blast. 

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.

Leg 1 -  Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > park road to River Bend Campground > Upper Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp (S) > River Bend Trail (S) > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook    6.0 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > 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    3.0 miles

Temp started at 50, ended at 75.  Sunny with steady 5-10mph SW breeze.

Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails.  Saw a few deer (photo attached) as well as some birds but not many. There is still water in the river and it is still flowing but more of a trickle rather than a stream - nonetheless, all water is welcome! It was a pleasant day and I saw a few other folks on the trail but otherwise, not much else to say.

NOTES -

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead.

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

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

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

EQUESTRIANS - The metal rectangular water trough at the base of the Big Hill, only has standing water in it.  Recommend you use the water troughs at Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area or River Bend Campground.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.