South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/29/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.4 miles
Temp started at 72, ended at 82. Cloudy then mostly sunny. Steady SW winds from 10-15mph w/higher gusts.
A pleasant hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. The park is greening up with the mesquite trees lime green leaves filled with feathery fronds. A few of the Lace cactus have buds growing but no flowers yet. Lots of lizards were seen as were numerous birds - Spring is here and they are singing for mates (photo attached). I saw two cottontail rabbits and a few deer but no other animals. Of note - there were about 20 Turkey Vultures riding the winds and coming quite low to look for food but I never saw any land so no luck there.
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 - Chaparral Pavillion to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/17/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.90 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Chaparral Pavillion > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park 2.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > service road (NE) > Chaparral Pavillion 3.2 miles
Temp started in low 60's, ended in mid-70's. Overcast then sunny with a steady breeze.
The park is greening up! It was as if a switch had been turned on from a week ago - the mesquites are now a lime green and the grass is showing, more flowers have appeared and some of the bushes have small flowers on them. The birds have become more numerous with Scissortails and Kingbirds making an appearance. No animals seen besides a few whitetail deer.
Even though the area is still in a drought condition, it's heartening to see the vegetation and wildlife making an appearance.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosks and toilets available at the campgrounds near the Chaparral Pavillion.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
North Shore - Area 7 Visit
User:
MikeHikes - 4/14/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Route - North Shore restroom > jeep trail/dirt road/hiking trail > turn around and return along same route > North Shore restroom 6.5 miles
Temp started mid-40's, ended low 70's. Sunny with a steady NW breeze.
IMPORTANT - I strongly advise hikers to check-in at the South Shore gatehouse. You will need a daily park pass and the combination to the gate padlock AND, more importantly, there are times when hunting is allowed in this area and not in the larger park area so you must ensure it is safe to enter. I also suggest you park by the bathhouse/restrooms near the North Shore gatehouse to ensure your vehicle is safe.
Once you have your car parked, go out the gate you just came in and cross FM2288. You will enter Area 7 through a swinging gate. Once you get inside, look for and follow the trail. You'll soon come to the wider dirt road. Follow it to the end always keeping an eye open for the trail when you come to the power lines.
This hike is one I take once or twice a year. The trail is an old jeep trail/dirt road that parallels the North Concho River until you come to the fence that marks the park's property line (about 3 miles one way). The trail is not marked but fairly easy to follow if you keep your eyes open. The river has some dry patches but there is water there (photo attached). You normally see some water fowl as well as various animals, including the park's Longhorn herd (on occassion).
Today we saw a small herd of juvenile feral pigs (7-9 in one group and 4 in another) that was a first for us. Some ducks and a Great Blue Heron were spotted in addition to the hogs and an assortment of year round bird residents. It was a pleasant hike and one that will be done again after/if/when we ever get some rain to make the river flow.
NOTES
Water, info kiosk and toilets are available at the North Shore gate area.
South Shore - Isabel Harte to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/10/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.50 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Leg 1 - Isabel Harte > Winding Snake> Burkett Park 1.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > park road (NE) > Isabel Harte 1.8 miles
Temp in mid-60's, mostly sunny, steady breeze.
A simple, relaxing hike along familiar trails. More birds are out but the only ones spotted were Mockers, red-winged blackbirds, cowbirds, white crowned sparrows and turkey vultures. A lone javalina was seen near Burkett Park - he saw us and wandered by without concern.
NOTES
Shade available at campsites at Isabel Harte. Water at a central location.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to River Bend Campground Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/3/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (W) > River Bend (N) 2.0 miles
Leg 2 - River Bend Trail (N) > Badlands> Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur (N) > service road > Rocky Creek > service road > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.0 miles
Temp started at 54, ended at 70. Sunny, light winds.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Some birds out as well as a few deer. Seeing more purple flowers blooming and found a few agarita bushes with yellow blooms. A few butterflies were out as well. Outherwise, just a good, relaxing hike.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at the nearby campground.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction + Tasajilla Flats
User:
MikeHikes - 3/31/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.10 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 4.1 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > service road (ENE) > service road (SSW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 2. 0 miles
Leg 3 - service road > Tasajilla Flats Trail (final section) and back > service road 1.0 miles
Temp started at 40, ended at 60. Sunny with a steady 5-10mph breeze from the NE.
Easy hike along damp to slightly muddy trails due to a recent rain two nights ago. A few agarita bushes have yellow blooms but there is no scent yet. Small groups of three or four deer were spotted and some birds were seen as well - mostly White Crowned Sparrows. The recent rain has also kick started the grass to grow and green sprouts have appeared in the burned areas.
Initially it was cold but once the sun appeared the temperature warmed rapidly which made this a very relaxing hike.
NOTES
Water, shade info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/24/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.70 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > LL to WS Connector > Burkett Park 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.6 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temp started at 38, ended at 70. Sunny with steady and increasing to 15mph WNW wind.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Grass is starting to sprout in some of the burned areas and I found two agarita bushes on Roadrunner Loop that have begun to bloom which perfumed the air quite nicely! I saw some deer as well as a small group of four javelina grubbing for food they ignored me and I left them alone. Birds are still somewhat scarce but I saw a Wren (photo attached) as well as an Ash Throated Flycatcher, some sparrows and a couple of Mockingbirds. We've recently experienced multiple days in a row of VERY high, constant Northerly winds. These winds have blown some of the topsoil onto the trails but not enough to completely cover them so they are still easy to traverse. I'm sure once the rains come, if they ever do, the topsoil will be washed away and the trails revealed once more.
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.
Water and shade are available at campsites along Roadrunner Loop. Toilets and info kiosks are available at three locations along Roadrunner as well.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/17/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Lower Big Hill > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > service road (W) > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook 6.1 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina Trail > River Bend Spur (100 yards (NW)) > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.2 miles
Temp started at 60, ended at 82. Sunny with strong, consistent 15-20mph SW to W winds.
A windy but enjoyable hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. A few deer were spotted at the beginning of the hike but no other animals were seen. The birds seen were mostly ground hugging birds like sparrows. There really wasn't a lot going on due to the strong winds but I did hear more birds singing which is a good sign!
NOTES
Info kiosk and biccyle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead - water and shade is available at the campgrounds by the trailhead.
Water, sahde and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, sahde info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campgrounds.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Ghost Camp + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/12/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > abandoned road to Ghost Camp (NE) > Winding Snake 2.9 miles
Leg 2 - Winding Snake (S) > Chaparral > Shortcut across Red Dam Area > unmarked trails by Chaparral Pavilion > Playground parking area 2.0 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temps started at 22, ended at 52. Sunny with a steady 5-10mph SW Breeze.
An easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Explored a few new or not often visited areas. No animals and very few birds were out although there were Black Buzzards and Turkey Vultures circling overhead. Not much else to report.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station area available at Playground parking area.
Water and shade available at campsites around Roadrunner Loop. At three points on the edge of Roadrunner Loop there are toilets and info kiosks are available.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/8/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts CReek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 4.3 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (S) > Potts Creek (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Temps started at 34 and ended at 42. Overcast with light ESE winds at 5-10mph.
A very quiet hike. I saw three deer, some small ground hugging birds and one male Pyrrhuloxia. Nobody else was on the trails and when I finished, there were no other cars in the parking lot. No photos taken today.
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.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 2/28/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.60 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lankey Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.8 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster Trail > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.8 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Temps started at 30 and ended at 68. Sunny with a few clouds, light but steady SSW breeze at 5-10mph.
An easy, lazy hike along trails that are easy to see and traverse. Not much animal activity as I only saw about 20 deer in various groups. There were more small, low flying birds that would fly from one cliump of brush to another. The recent freeze we had for a few nights in a row seems to have stunted the early blooms. I was surprised to see a few butterflies but no other insects. All in all, it was just a relaxing hike.
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.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/21/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.70 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 6.1 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > River Bend Spur > service road (NE) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
Temp started at 53, ended at 65. Sunny with clouds, steadily rising 5-15mph SW wind.
A pleasant hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. I wanted to get a hike in with the pleasant weather before another cold front moved in with freezing temperatures and possibly some ice. Some small blue/purple flowers have appeared which is not good with the cold front moving in followed by multiple days of freezing temps. More birds are being seen, especially Cardinals. I also saw a large feral hog (photo attached). The photo doesn't give a good sense of scale but the hog was at least 4-5 feet long and had to have weighed at least 100-150 pounds - it was large and solid! It didn't see me at first so I had to make noise to get it's attention and leave rather than be startled and charge. He saw me, ran a few steps then walked away.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available in the adjoining campground.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracking Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at River Bend Campgrounds.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/15/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (N) > Cougar Overlook 5.5 miles
Leg 2 - Park service road (W) to gate> Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.6 miles
Temp started at 40, ended at 63. Sunny with steadily increasing SW wind from 5mph to 15mph.
A leisurely hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. I saw three groups of deer and one group of four javelinas. Bird activity was minimal with the birds staying low to the ground or doing short flights from the ground to the brush. Some greening of the park is beginning but it still looks pretty desolate at the moment.
I accidently left my camera on teh kitchen counter so there were no photos taken today.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground Parking Area to Burkett + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/10/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.80 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.6 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Temps started at 33, ended at 60. Sunny with a light Westerly breeze 1-5mph.
Very pleasant hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Picked up lots of trash but saw very few animals or birds. Only animals I saw were about 10 white tail deer. One raptor was spotted as was one Turkey Vulture.
There are patches of grass beginning to grow in the burned areas but the park still looks rough from Winter as well as the prescribed burn in December. Spring will be here soon so the park should improve.
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.
Water and shade available around Roadrunner Loop as well as three spearate toilets and info kiosks.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/24/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.60 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster Trail > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 4.4 miles
Leg 3 - Nature Trail .5 miles
Temp started at 40, ended at 60. Mostly sunny with a 5-10mph SW breeze. Humid at first but dried quickly.
A good hike along easy to see and traverse trails. The morning air smelled like "wet desert" which is one of my favorite scents! Unfortunately there wasn't much to see as far as wildlife. I spotted about six deer, a Flicker, a couple of raptors that appeared to be red tailed hawks but were so high up and far away I wasn't sure. A few Mockingbirds and Sparrows were it. One surprise was finding a dead grasshopper that was very large, and uneaten.
I believe I've finished picking up the old bottles and cans on the Nature Trail as well as on the Tasajilla Flats Trail that were revealed by last month's burn. I'm sure more will make their appearance as the wind and rains reveal them.
No photos were taken today which is very unusual but there just wasn't anything to photograph but I'm sure there will be on the next 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.
South Shore - Isabel Harte to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 1/19/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 11.50 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Isabel Harte > Winding Snale > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo Ridge > Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 5.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground Parking Area > Chaparral > Isabel Harte 5.3 miles
Leg 3 - Nature Trail .5 miles
Temp started at 55, ended at 75. Sunny with a few clouds and a 10-15mph Westerly wind. A few sprinkles when I started at 0730 but they ended quickly.
A long hike in good weather along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. There is a major cold front moving in today so I wanted to get a good long hike in and I did. I saw about a dozen deer, a single Turkey Vulture, a single Yellow Shafted Flicker, a few Mockingbirds and about 20 sparrows of various kinds. The surprise was seeing a Queen butterfly as I was leaving.
The park is recovering from the prescribed fires (photo attached) and I hope the multi day freeze we're expecting starting tonight does not affect the recovery.
NOTES
Shade available at numerous campsites at Isabel Harte. Water is at a central location.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop + Tasajilla Flats
User:
MikeHikes - 1/13/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.7 miles
Leg 3 - Tasajilla Flats northern most section 1.4 miles
Temps started at 33, ended at 70. Sunny, very high wispy clouds, light 1-5mph SW breeze.
All trails easy to see and traverse. Not much went on during the hike. I saw at least a dozen white tail deer, a Meadowlark (photo attached) a few Mockingbirds, a single Kestrel and a few sparrows. Saw a hiker who told me I just missed a good photo. He said about 10 minutes earlier, he saw a "big black bird" on the trail lift off and in it's talons was a Jack Rabbit! I assume it was either a Black Buzzard or a Turkey Vulture and also assume the Jack Rabbit was dead.
Spent an extra hour on Tasajilla Flats picking up old bottles and cans last month's prescribed fires revealed. This part of the trail used to be underwater and it's easy to see where the favorite fishing holes were - just look for the pint whiskey bottles, beer bottles and cans; bring 'em, drink 'em and sink 'em. I picked up a 40# bird seed bag full of trash and there are still more bottles and cans waiting for me to gather.
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.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/9/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.00 Miles
Duration: N/A
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook 3.4 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javalina Trail > River Bend (N) > Ghost Camp Connector > Upper Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > North Slick Rock > service road (N) > Rocky Creek > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 51. Partly cloudy. Steady 10-15mph N wind.
Easy hike along familiar trails. Saw some deer and a few birds but not much else due to the cold and steady wind. I was surprised to see a lone grasshopper - I assumed they had all died off or been eaten.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade 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 Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/4/2022
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Rollercoaster Trail > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road NNW > Cougar Overlook 5.7 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > service road (SW) > Trailhead to Trailhead trail > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.1 miles
Temp started at 34, ended at 64. Sunny with a steady SW wind at 10-15mph.
1st hike of 2022!
Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. No animals spotted but I saw some birds including a Kestrel (photo attached). The Kestrel was at Cougar Overlook and landed on a tree. A Mockingbird landed by him and when the Kestrel lifted off so did the Mocker. The Kestrel flipped upside down ready for the Mocker's attack but the Mocker went in the opposite direction.
Miles hiked prior to this one - 3453.0
Number of hikes prior to this one - 432
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/30/2021
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javalina Trail > River Bend (N) > Ghost Camp Connector > Upper Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > North Slick Rock > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 5.6 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 65. Partly cloudy very light wind.
A good hike to end the year! I saw about a dozen deer, numerous birds and feral hogs. First I saw a boar and about a mile later, a sow with six piglets. I know they are destructive but the piglets were just bouncing around mom. Very cute! Otherwise, the trails were good, the prescribed burning had not touched this part of the park.
Starting Mileage - 3038.1
Ending Mileage - 3453.0
Miles Hiked - 414.9
Number of hikes this year - 52
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade are available at numerous campsites nearby.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at River Bend Campground.
Info kiosk, shade and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/22/2021
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.20 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tsajilla 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 3.4 miles
Temps started at 39 and ended at 68. Sunny with a constant WNW 5-10mph breeze.
Easy hike along easy to see trails. Major portions of this hike were through trails that had been part of the prescribed burn a few weeks ago. Significant portions of Tasajilla Flats, Nature Trail Winding Snake and Red Dam Loop were blackened which revealed a couple of bags worth of old cans and bottles. No animals spotted and only a few birds although I saw a Rofous Sided Towhee and a pair of Black Buzzards.
Not much else to report.
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.
Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/19/2021
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > Armadillo Ridge (W) > Turkey Creek (N) > 5 Points Junction 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone Trail (S) > service road (NE) > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 2.0 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temps started at 38 and ended at 44. Overcast, very slight, inconsistent NW breeze.
Easy hike along easy to see and traverse trails. More burned areas along Roadrunner Loop (Leg 3) than on the other two legs. Once again, not much animal activity - spotted three deer on the way in and one deer on the trail. A Loggerhead Shrike and a small flock of White Crowned Sparrows (photo attached) were also seen while on the hike. Otherwise, it was just a cold, dry day for hiking.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground parking area.
Water and shade available at numerous campsites along the Roadrunner Loop as well as three toilets at different spots.
Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/17/2021
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.70 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > Armadillo Ridge (W) > Turkey Creek (N) > 5 Points Junction 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone Trail (S) > service road (NE) > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 2.0 miles
Temp started at 60, ended at 70. Overcast, little to no wind, slight humidity.
Easy hike along easy to see and traverse trails. Portions of the park had been part of a prescribed burn - portions of this route were affected but not negatively. I saw 3 deer and less than a dozen birds, one of which was a Meadowlark. There was a smell of smoke in certain areas but overall it was a pleasant hike. No photos taken.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park Trailhead.
Water, shade, and an info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 11/20/2021
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral Trail > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking Area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Temp started at 49 ended at 72. Sunny with gradually increasing SW winds.
Very easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Admittedly, there are a few areas that could do with some cutting but overall the trails are easy to see and hike on. Numerous deer were seen and I had one four point buck, aware of me but very nonchalant about it, walking parallel to me about 20 yards away on Nature Trail. Birds spotted were sparse but I am seeing Meadowlarks in increasing numbers. The most surprising thing was seeing what I believe was a 10 inch Plains Garter Snake sunning on Chaparral Trail near the Playground Parking Area. He moved quickly and I couldn't get a photo.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground Parking Area.
Water, shade, inof kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade available at various campsites along Roadrunner Loop and there is an info kiosk and toilets available at three places on the loop in the campgrounds.