Out      Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (South - it's a service road) > North Scenic Loop > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (W 100 yards) > River Bend Trail (go straight 200 yards) > Javalina > Cougar Lookout        3.9 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > service road (W) > River Bend (NW) > Badlands > service road (NE 30 yards) > North Slick Rock > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (N) > service road (NW) > Bell's Trailhead    6.5 miles

Temps started in low 50's, ended in mid-60's.  Cloudy with intermittent breeze from the South.

Wet, muddy, rough or rocky - take your pick and one or more of those descriptions fit the trail conditions on today's hike.  We had a week of welcome rain which brought a much needed boost to the lakes and reservoirs; O.C. Fisher (at the park) went from 7.9% to 14.3 % - not much of a difference to many but a BIG improvement to the lake.  The North Concho River, which feeds the lake, for the longest time was dry in many places and was not flowing but today, it is flowing and adds even more water to the lake.  

The rains have also helped the migrating Monarchs (I saw many individuals but no large groups) by causing the Bee Brush to bloom once more.  Lots of other butterflies were present as well, all feasting on the numerous small flowers present. I saw about 20-25 Whitetail deer during the hike and for the first time, an American Badger.  

I was walking along Javalina Trail on my way to Cougar Lookout and as I rounded a small bend, I saw a badger about 20 yards in front of me.  I began to raise my camera and as I did, he ducked into a patch of prickly pear.  I waited a minute to see if he'd come back out but he didn't.  I walked slowly past and stopped about 20-30 yards away and waited.  After another minute, the badger cautiously lifted his head up and peered at me while he remained in the midst of the prickly pear.  After a few seconds, he turned and disappeared in the brush - all I saw was the top portion of his body as he scurried away.  The photo I took of him watching me from the brush wasn't worth much and I discarded it.  Oh well, next time I'll get a good photo.

NOTES

Water available at Bell's Trailhead in the camping area.

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

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

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

SPECIAL NOTE - On the return leg, when I came down the service road from the Badlands Trail, there is a junction of trails at the base of the hill.  The iron post trail signage says "North Slick Rock" BUT when you reach the end of the trail, there is a wooden sign that says the trail you just traversed is "Dinosaur Trail".  This can be misleading.

ALSO - The park has updated their paper maps but have not yet updated the maps in the info kiosks.

ROUTE   Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > park road to Isabel Harte > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area       5.0 miles

Temps in lower 70's, sunny and a steady breeze.

Pleasant hike on a gorgeous day.  Due to an upcoming race at the park, some of the trails have been groomed and some have not.  The long, straight stretch of Nature Loop and all of Red Dam Loop haven't been groomed and need to be.  Otherwise, the trails are easy to see and somewhat easy to traverse - caution is always advised due to loose rocks/soil on the trails.

A couple of things of interest - saw a large gathering of migrating seagulls swirling in the air about O.C. Fisher (photo attached) and watched a Tarantula Hawk fly and drag a paralyzed tarantula along the park road going to Isabel Harte.  It left the tarantula in the road when we approached; we verified it was a paralyzed tarantula and walked away.  We watched and eventually, the Tarantula Hawk returned to it's prey.  Nothing we could do to help the tarantula since it was already paralyzed and would eventually die reagrdless if the hunter returned or not.  Life isn't always fair or pretty.

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

IMPORTANT - As mentioned in earlier logs, the park's maps have been updated BUT they don't match all the trail signage or the maps in the info kiosk.  Notable exclusion is the absence of "Armadillo Trail" on the new maps but the trail signage still lists it.  Pay attention to where you're at and trust the park map.

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

Leg 2  -  Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Lanky Lackey (15 meters) > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park      3.9 miles

Leg 3  -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area      3.2 miles

Temp started at 79, ended at 89. Partly cloudy, humid and steady southerly breeze.

Very pleasant hike today.  Most of the trails are clearly visible and easy to traverse with some exceptions.  The northern-most portion of Tasajilla Flats Trail has become overgrown due to the recent rains but on the positive side, the bee brush is in full bloom and the vanilla scent from the flowers is very pleasant.  

The northern-most portion of West Potts Creek has been worked on, however there is still a steep dropoff that requires some caution.  There are a few places along the trail where standing water is present, consequently, insect activity is high.  Speaking of insects, there was an inordinate amount of dragonflies buzzing about during the entire hike and as usual, the grasshoppers were also in abundance.  Few birds were visible although I spotted a juvenile male Vermillion Flycatcher and a Common Nighthawk. 

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area. IMPORTANT - when I finished today's hike, I went to get water and it was not on at the sink in the Men's Room.  Don't know why and I hope it is temporary.  If the water is still turned off, water is located at other toilets in the area as well as at the various campsites nearby.

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

IMPORTANT - As I've mentioned in my most recent reports, the park has updated the trail maps that are given out at the gate.  These maps are not 100% in sync with trail posts (notably Armadillo Trail which is absent from the map but is still seen on trail posts) and the maps displayed in the park's info kiosk.  If in doubt, trust the new paper maps!

Out      Burkett Park > Winding Snake (20 meters) > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey (W 10 meters) > Roller Coaster > West Potts > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend (1 mile) > service road (NE) > Cougar Lookout       5.6 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > Flintstone> Trailhead to Trailhead trail (S) (it's a service road) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park      3.2 miles

Temp started at 79 ended at 90, sunny, no clouds, slight breeze.

Uneventful hike along familiar trails that were easy to see and traverse.  Surprisingly, not many people were out today - I expected more of a crowd on a Labor Day weekend but there were only four other people spotted.  I did see a couple of Whitetail deer, a cottontail rabbit, a four foot long greenish colored coachwhip and a few birds.  Some of the park's longhorns were out as well but they were content to lay or sit in the shade of the mesquites near a watering area and didn't bother me as I walked past.

NOTES

Park personnel have updated the trail maps but there are still a few minor inconsistencies when looking at trail signage and more importantly, the info kiosks.  The kiosks will be updated eventually as will the signage so rely on the paper map if in doubt.

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

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

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

Route   Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road (S) > North Scenic Loop > service road (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp trail > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Trail (W then N) > Badlands > service road (N) > North Slick Rock > Upper Hill Trail > Dinosaur Trail > service road (N) > Bell's Trailhead        7.3 miles

Temps in the upper 70's to start and mid 90's at end, mostly sunny with light winds and higher than normal humidity.

A relaxing hike today after receiving some much needed rain last week.  The trails are still visible but, in places, not as "smooth" as before.  This has been caused by the combination of a wet trail and large hooved animals, i.e., the longhorns, that walk on it while it is muddy.  The mud dries and what was once a smooth surface is now very bumpy.  Hikers will be concerned because it is easier to twist an ankle, bikers will experience a rougher ride and equestrians will have to watch where their horses step.

Saw a pair of Lesser Goldfinches (photo attached) as well as many Scissortails and other birds.  Six whitetails of various sizes bounded out as I hiked and at Shady Trail, fresh evidence there is still a beaver bringing down trees.  There were innumerable grasshoppers along the entire hike and while on the service roads especially, the humming of bees was LOUD.  I didn't see any flowers but watched the bees gathering on all kinds of vegetation. 

The park has re-mapped their trail system and paper copies are now available.  A word of caution - the paper maps do not correspond 100% with existing trail markers.  The park is working to update the trail markers and it will take a little more time before there is a perfect correlation between the two.  If in doubt, use the paper map. 

NOTES

Water is available at the campground by Bell's Trailhead.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.  CAUTION - dry toilets not maintained/serviced on a regular basis so watch for insects, reptiles and animals if you plan to use it.

Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area (approx 1.5 miles from Bell's Trailhead on Dinosaur Trail).

Out     Burkett Park > Winding Snake (20 meters) > Suzanne's Trail (W) > Lanky Lackey (W 20 meters) > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction      5.2 miles

Return  5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (ENE) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park      3.7 miles

Temps started at 82, ended at 97.  High, wispy clouds then sunny and hot, Light fairly consistent breeze.

Drought continues in San Angelo and the effects are seen and felt at the park.  There are few flowers in bloom, the vegetation is dormant or dead and the wildlife is not to be seen.  The trails are easy to see but have become harder to hike on because soil has blown away leaving more exposed rock.  A few portions of West Potts Creek near the northern end, are very eroded and require caution when treading on them.  Park personnel need to take a couple of loads of small rock and try filling in some of the deepest crevices to stop the erosion.  Nonetheless, hiking at the park is better than staying in the house!

NOTES

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point.

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

Leg 1 -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake (S 20meters) > Suzanne's Trail (W) > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajillo Flats > Playground parking area     3.8 miles

Leg 2 -  Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area      3.2 miles

Leg 3 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park          3.2 miles

Temp started at 80, ended at 95.  Sunny with a few scattered clouds, light somewhat consistent breeze.

Uneventful hike on the major South Shore trails.  All trails were groomed, dry and easy to traverse.  There were quite a few Mockingbirds out singing and on certain portions of the hike, the Cactus Wren was the predominant bird.  A couple of lizards and one White tail deer were spotted as well.  Perhaps because I walked these trails in reverse order, I was able to gather almost two bags worth of trash - most of it old cans and bottles.  Don't know how I missed seeing this stuff when I hiked going in the other direction.

NOTES

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

Water and shade available at various campsites along Roadrunner Loop with toilets available at the begining and mid points of the trail.

Out       Playground Parking Area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park       3.5 miles

Return  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground Parking Area       3.0 miles

Temps started in low 80's and ended in low 90's.  Cloudy then sunny, light Southerly breeze.

Quiet day for a hike.  Park personnel have groomed all, or at least major portions, of the mentioned trails.  This caused increased ant activity as the leaf cutter/red ants were working overtime to removed the cut grasses off "their" trail.   Saw two fairly large white tail deer, a tarantula (first in quite awhile), no snakes and the usual birds.  When the wind died down, the gnat activity markedly increased - no fun!

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

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

Out      Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Outlook       6.1 miles

Return  Cougar Outlook > Javalina > service road (NE) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp >South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (NE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead     3.9 miles

Temp started at 80, ended at 98.  Sunny with a steady breeze.

There were quite a few bees buzzing about with all the flowers and shrubs blooming.  All trails were dry and easy to see HOWEVER with the somewhat recent rains, vegetation covered the trails in places.  This is significant because today was "Reptile Day".  I spotted numerous lizards, two Horned Toads, three rattlesnakes and three coachwhip snakes.  All were on, or very close to, the trail; the rattlers and the Horned Toads were sitting/laying directly on the trail. 

Consequently, I was not watching much besides where I placed my feet so didn't really see much of the other wildlife at the park. 

NOTES

Water is available at the campground by Bell's Trailhead.

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

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at the River Bend Ghost Camp.  Use caution if you use the toilets due to insects and snakes.

Out      Burkett Park > Winding Snake (20 meters) > Suzanne's Trail (W) > Lankey Lackey (W 20 meters) > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend (NE) > service road (NE) > Cougar Lookout        5.5 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > service road (SW) (stay on always heading S or SW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park     3.1 miles

Temp started at 75, low overcast, steady winds.  Gradually less overcast and temp at 86.

Hiked the trails out to Cogar Lookout and then followed the service roads back to Burkett trail for an easy return trip.  Saw a large snake (non-poisonous) on West Potts Creek - I had been warned people saw rattlers so I was fortunate the snake I saw was NOT a rattler.  I also saw four Common Nighthawks which may not sound like much but I haven't seen this once common bird in awhile so to me, it was noteworthy.

Trails are still easy to see and traverse.  The Bee Brush is just starting to bloom so every now and then I caught a whiff of vanilla.

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 bicycle repair station available at Cougar Lookout.

Temp started at 75, cloudy and windy.  At end, temp was 93, sunny and windy.

Hike began across the road (FM2288) from the park's North Shore entrance.  Go through the gate and follow the dirt road/path until the end.  Turn around and return along the same route.  I suggest you pull up Google Earth and look at the satellite photos (as of this writing dated Mar 2015).  The trail is easy to see as it runs along the North Concho river, which is mostly dry at this time. 

The "trail" is an old dirt road which at points, narrows to a path, before widening out again.  There are no trail markers and maintenance is minimal (IMO).  The main reason I like this hike is simply to see the birds.  The North Concho River runs through this area and the trail somewhat parallels the river.  Bear in mind, the area is in a multi-year drought; major portions of the river are DRY.

Nonetheless, there are patches of water along the river and that is where the bird activity is.  Great Blue Herons, various raptors, as well as different songbirds, can be seen if you're patient.  Today, I saw Vermillions Flycatchers, a Painted Bunting, lots of smaller, less colorful birds, a few hawks and a Caracara - the second I've seen in all my time at the park.

The park's cattle were there in abundant numbers as well; numerous calves with both parents present. 

NOTES

First and foremost - if you want to hike in this area, check with park personnel beforehand as this area is used extensively for hunting at various times of the year - even if the rest of the park doesn't allow hunting.

Private land borders this area so always know where you are and do not trepass!!!

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at the North Shore gatehouse where you will park your vehicle.

Out     Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park       4.3 miles

Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area           3.7 miles

Temp started at 65, ended at 75.  Sunny with strong, steady winds.

Leisurely hike on the major South Shore trails.  Bird activity pretty high - saw this year's first Cedar Waxwings at two different locations, lots of birds singing for mates and a few of the Lace Cactus have blooms while others do not.

Trails are dry, visible and easy to traverse; some trash was found but not much.  Overall, this was an easy hike on a beautiful Spring day.

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

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