Out       Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 yds) > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo (ENE) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (NE) > Cougar Lookout         6.0 miles

Return   Cougar Lookout > service road (WSW) > River Bend (SW) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (ENE) > East Potts Creek > Burkett trail > Burkett park   4.7 miles

Temps - 82 at start and 100 at end, sunny with intermittent light winds.

First hike in the park's mid-section since the severe wind storm of a month ago.  Nothing on the trails now but easy to see where branches had fallen and were moved off.  Trails are dry and easy to traverse.  The North Concho River seen from Cougar Lookout still has water but the rocks in the river are easier to see which means the water level has dropped - not a good thing.

Saw two fawns at the start of the hike but no other animals; not many birds out either.  Saw a few mountain bikers but that was it. 

Not too long ago I found my first tick on my sock.  Today I found my first tick stuck to my leg.  I scrapped her off (checked and it was a female Lone Star tick), saw she still had her head so I terminated her.  Squeezed blood out of the bite wound and cleaned it best I could.  Will keep an eye on the wound but I'm not too concerned about infections right now.  In all my years of hiking, I've been lucky in never having a tick bite but this year, my string of good luck regarding ticks has been broken.      

NOTES

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point.

Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction.

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

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park      3.4 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 yds) > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area    3.6 miles

Leg 3 -  Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area    3.0 miles

Temps start at 75 end at 93, sunny with a few clouds, steady light Southerly breeze.

An earlier than usual hike this morning.  Trails were dry and for the most part, easy to traverse.  Red Dam Loop and parts of Winding Snake need grooming but were easy to hike on.  Just be on the look out for snakes!

Numerous birds were seen.  A few such as the Painted Bunting and Vermilion Flycatcher were, a few short years ago, rarely seen.  Now, it's unusual if I don't see a few on my hikes.  The Yellow-billed Cuckoo is another bird I'm seeing more of as well.

While on Tasajilla Flats, I saw a grey fox but he saw me first so I only got a few photos as he took off (photo attached). 

Cottontail rabbits, white tail deer and a few lizards were spotted as well.  No snakes seen but I know they're out there.  

NOTES

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

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

Water and shade available at the campsites alongside Roadrunner Loop.

Toilets available at the half way point of Roadrunner Loop.

Leg 1 - Burkett park> Winding Snake (20 yds) > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (NW) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 4.5 miles

Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (NE) > Cougar Lookout > service road (WNW) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction 2.6 miles

Leg 3 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (ENE)> East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 3.4 miles

Temps in the 70's, humid, overcast and a light, steady Easterly breeze.

Leisurely hike today. There were lots of birds out especially the Painted Buntings - I saw five different ones at various locations; to me, this was a large number! Cottontail rabbits, deer and a solitary javalina were also spotted.

All in all, the trails were, for the most part, clear of vegetation with the exception of Playground Trail which had some sections in need of grooming.

All the trails were visible but the overhanging vegetation is a safety concern due to the danger of stepping on a rattlesnake.  I saw a 2-3 foot non-rattlesnake stretched on a trail but was able to get it to move without incident.

As always, it was enjoyable and I can't wait for the next hike!

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park      3.6 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Winding Snake (20 yards) > Suzanne's Trail (W) > Lanky lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area   3.7 miles

Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area  2.9 miles

Temp 72 to start, 88 at end.  Overcast then sunny, humid and strong WSW wind.

Park personnel have been busy !  Most of the trails have been mowed although Red Dam Loop still needs a trim.  The trails are much easier to traverse.  While you still have to watch for snakes, now it is easier to do.  Speaking of which, a park attendant told me a HUGE rattler had been killed recently - still haven't seen any this year.

I saw a fairly large number of Nighthawks flying around.  Lots of other birds including a Vermillion Flycatcher, a Painted Bunting, lots of sparrows, Mockingbirds, et al.  For some reason I haven't seen many raptors.

A good hike nonetheless!

NOTES

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

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

Water and toilets available at the mid-way point of Roadrunner Loop.

Water and shade available at numerous campsites running alongside Roadrunner Loop.

Leg 1 -   Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lankey Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park   3.2 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park   3.7 miles

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

Temp in the low 70's, sunny, STRONG northerly winds.

Good hike today with quite a few animals spotted - javalina, cottontail rabbit, Jack Rabbit, white tail deer, and a Mexican ground squirrel.  The winds were VERY strong and kept a lot of the birds out of the air - when I saw birds, they never flew more than a few feet away.

Trails were dry, some had been groomed but a lot of them have become covered with vegetation; especially some type of knee high, or taller, weeds with a very sharp, pointed head that has a tendency to jab you when you walk through a patch.  The Talley Valley trail is in need of some repairs due to erosion as well as the vegetation so caution is advised if you hike it.

Bee brush is once again blooming and scent the air.  I was surprised at the relatively low number of cactus flowers in bloom.  The ones in bloom have numerous bees and other insects acting as pollinators. 

The Boy Scout bridge on Burkett Trail has signs posted advising caution due to bee activity - first time I've seen this type of sign.  I didn't notice any bees but the wind may have kept them at bay.

All in all, a good hike.

NOTES

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

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

Out     Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo (E) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (N) > Cougar Lookout       6.0 miles

Return  Cougar Lookout > service road (WNW) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (E) > East Potts Creek > Burkett trail > Burkett park    4.8 miles

Temps 55 to start and 70 at end, sunny with wispy clouds and strong SW winds.

A windy hike today!  Trails are dry and easy to traverse, some vegetation has encroached on the trails but they are still easy to see.  Watch for snakes!

Saw a Grey Fox on Flintstone trail but no photo.  LOTS of wildflowers have bloomed and the Bee Brush continues to put forth lots of small white flowers which perfumed the air with the scent of vanilla.

NOTES

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Lookout.

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

Out       Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Lookout        5.8 miles

Return   Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (NW) > Scenic Loop > service road (WNW) > Rocky Creek > service road (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead     3.7 miles

Temps started at 75 ended at 91, sunny, breezy.

Dinosaur Trail and portions of Badlands Trail need to be groomed - the grass and flowers are covering portions of the trails.  While that might not sound like much, the wildflowers attract bees.  I was not stung but there were LOTS of bees buzzing around for quite awhile as I walked Dinosaur Trail.  Additionally, rattlesnakes have been sighted - I have NOT seen one this year.

The hike itself was a good one - I saw lots of lots of yellow flowers and numerous butterflies as well as a Hummingbird Moth (photo attached).  I was surprised when I saw numerous, but not all, Lace cactus blooming.

There were few birds out for some reason although I saw no raptors overhead - the wind was blowing pretty strong so maybe that's the reason.

Although this hike was uneventful, it was pleasant nonetheless.

NOTES

Water available at Bell's Trailhead - look in the campsites for a faucet. THERE IS NO WATER UNTIL YOU GET TO THE RIVER BEND GHOST CAMP ON THE RETURN LEG.

Info kiosk and shade available at the Dinosaur Tracks viewing area. NO WATER AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Lookout.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Ghost Camp.  USE CAUTION AT THE TOILETS DUE TO INSECTS.

Temps in the low 70's, sunny and strong breeze.

This section of the park is infrequently used by hikers and there isn't a "trail" listed on the park maps. The trail I took consist of an old dirt road and numerous cow paths running alongside, and to, the North Concho River.

If you choose to go, go to the North Entrance and park your vehicle at the restroom parking area by the entrance.  On foot, leave the park and cross FM2288.  You'll see an area where local youths (I assume) park and drink beer.  At the fence there is a swing gate you'll go through and at that point, you are in the park again.  The old dirt road is visible directly ahead and runs parallel to the North Concho River on your left.

You're able to hike in this area along cow paths and the dirt road for approx 3 miles until you come to the park boundary which is marked by a barb wire fence and a few signs.  At that point, you will turn around and return along the same route or you can blaze a new one back to the starting point.

This area is used primarily by hunters so make sure you check in with park personnel to ensure there are no hunts scheduled.  This area has the potential to either by very good or very blase.  The river is a water source for many animals and birds as well as the longhorns.  There are numerous trees in the area so the chance to see birds here that are not in other areas of the park are good IF you're lucky.  

Be advised there are no facilities along the trail so bring your own water and food.  The longhorns are numerous so give them a wide berth.  In addition, on the South side of the river, some of the area is private property - respect the landowner's rights and don't trespass.  I suggest you stay on the north side of the river.

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at the North Shore entrance restrooms - where you should park.

STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to talk to park personnel before entering the area due to scheduled hunts.

If you have the time, do a recon using Google Earth to see what the area looks like. 

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park     3.7 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park    3.6 miles

Leg 3 -  Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area    3.8 miles

Temps in the 70's, sunny with high thin clouds, steady breeze.

Dry trails very easy to traverse, parts of Tasajilla Flats has recently been groomed.  Lots of "shrub birds" out signing for mates.  Saw my first group of Meadowlarks near the parking area!  Grass and other ground cover plants are coming up all over the park and the numerous Bee Brush plants have greens leaves but no smell yet.  Even more agarita bushes are blooming and scenting the air.

There were hikers and a few mountain bikers enjoying the warm weather and the trails.  Not much else going on - it was a nice hike!

NOTES

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park - THE WATER  IS FLOWING AGAIN!

Out      Burkett park > Suzanne's trail > Roller Coaster> West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Lookout      5.2 miles

Return Cougar Lookout > serice roads (WSW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett park     3.0 miles

Temp 60 at start, 79 at end, steady WNW breeze, sunny.

Very leisurely hike along mostly dry trails.  The intoxicating smell of blooming agarita bush was in the air!  To me it smells like dust, mesquite smoke and honey - I wish they sold it in a can!

Trails are easy to traverse as the vegetation has not yet grown.  LOTS of Black Throated Sparrows and White Crowned Sparrows are out.  Many of the birds are singing as they look for mates.  Not much else to report but all in all, it was a very pleasant hike.

NOTES

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

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

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Lookout

Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats> Nature Trail > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park       3.8 miles

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

Leg 3 - Playground parkng area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area    3.0 miles

Temps in the low 60's to start and mid-70's to end, Strong West wind, and sunny.

Leisurely hike along dry, hard packed dirt and rock trails.  Not too many birds out today, perhaps because of the wind.  Picked up two bags of trash and found a couple of piles of cans I'll get on another day.

Not much else to say except pick up any trash you find and make sure you don't leave any yourself.

NOTES

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

Water, shade, info kioska nd dry toilets available at Burkett Park.

Water and shade available at multiple campsites alongside Roadrunner Loop.  At the mid-point of the Loop there is a toilet as well.

Out    Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur > Dinosaur Track Area > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Badlands> River  Bend > Lower Ghost Camp      4.2 miles

Return Lower Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > North Scenic Loop > service road (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead    2.4 miles

Temps in the low 50's, sunny with wispy clouds, steady North wind.

A month or so ago, controlled fires burned some of the vegetation and cleared the trails.  Trails are dry and fairly hard packed now.  LOTS of birds out especially Cardinals and Woodpeckers.  Not much else going on but it was a good hike nonetheless.

NOTES

Water available at the campground by Bell's Trailhead.

Water, shade and info kiosk at Dinosaur Track Viewing area.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost Camp.  CAUTION - dry toilets are old and rarely used, be careful if you have to sit on one!!

Dry trails