South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/30/2017
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > 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 parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temps in the low to mid 70's, sunny and a steady breeze.
Nice hike today along dry trails. Walked the entire Tasajilla Flats trail and in the first and fourth sections, it had been burned. A lot of the dead brush is gone and the trail is very visible.
All of the trails are visible and easy to hike. Not many birds out today but I did see a few. I was warned by a guy driving his pick-up to be on the look out for snakes. I asked if he saw any and he said no, but this is West Texas so they'll be out. Didn't understand the logic but I did appreciate the sincere concern. Stay safe!
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 many points along Roadrunner Loop and there is a toilet in the camping areas adjacent to the trail near the mid-point.
Park Mid-Section Burkett park to 5 Points Junction
User:
MikeHikes - 1/27/2017
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.10 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Out Burkett park > Burkett trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo (NE) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (N) > Flintstone > 5 Point Junction 3.4 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 4.7 miles
Temps in the low 40's, overcast and steady NE breeze.
Trails were dry and relatively clear of vegetation. Saw some birds, a porcupine and a white tailed deer but no humans. Not much going on except the peace and quiet of walking the trails.
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.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 1/22/2017
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.80 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Out Playground parking area > Tasajillo Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lankey Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.5 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Temps in the lid-50's, sunny and windy.
Good hike today along areas that have been recently burned. The smell of burned vegetation was present but not overpowering. Found trash as usual but that was to be expected after a burn clears the brush. I saw a blue grey gnatcatcher and a pair of Kestrels as well as the usual birds. Also saw a couple of white tail deer.
The trails are hard packed and the fire has cleaned a lot of the overgrown brush and vegetation away. Still some on the trails but they are much easier to hike now.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/21/2017
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 1.70 Miles
Duration: 1 hour
Route Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop (W) > Playground parking area
Temps in the low 60's, partly cloudy and steady breeze.
Simple hike/fitness walk going out to the road by the bison viewing area, turning around and retracing my steps. Trail still damp and there were a few birds out..
South Shore Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/20/2017
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.20 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Route Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area
Temps in the low 60's, mostly sunny with whispy clouds and variable winds.
First entry for 2017. Starting with 1572 miles hiked and 204 log entries.
The loop is designated "hikers only". The trail is easy to traverse and can be done by anyone who can walk. It has one or two very slight inclines but for the most part is level. There are a few areas where rocks and/or grass is prevalent but the majority of the trail is packed dirt. After a rain, it will be muddy.
You are walking alongside roads and camping areas at the South Shore - you can't get lost! Birds are usually plentiful and today I saw quite a few "common birds" nothing unusual.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at the Playground parking area.
Water, shade and toilets available at the camping area near the half way point.
Water and shade available at numerous camp sites along the roads.
South Shore Playground parking area to Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/26/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 0.75 Mile
Duration: 30 minutes
End 2016 with total miles hiked = 1572; miles hiked this year = 482.
Route Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop (E) > Playground parking area.
Temps in the low 70's, sunny and slight breeze.
The trail is mostly dirt with some rocks and level. Saw some quail as well as a few other birds. Not much to report because I had to quit due to an injury.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 12/16/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail . Burkett park 3.7 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3. 6 miles
Temps in the mid 50's, partly cloudy, strong wind.
Easy hike today along damp trails. The trails are better looking than in the recent past since the vegetation has died back although Red Dam Loop was still overgrown in more than one spot, so much that unless you knew where the trail was, you might have wandered off it.
Lots of birds out as well as a few deer. I saw an Orange Crowned Warbler as well as kestrels, numerous sparrows and other birds.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Playground parking lot to Armadillo Ridge
User:
MikeHikes - 11/28/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Playground parking lot > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo >East Potts Creek 5.9 miles
Return East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking lot 4.0 miles
Temps in the 60's, sunny and consistent, STRONG westerly wind.
The wind was so strong, few birds were out. I was surprised seeing a few buterflies and dragonflies out. What was really surprising was seeing Bee Brush beginning to bloom again! This is the fourth time this year the plant has produced flowers and the vanilla scent (photo attached).
Three mountain bikers shared the trails with me, otherwise it was very peaceful listening to the wind go through the trees and brush. One of the better hikes I had lately!!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett park and Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 11/19/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.4 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Temps start at 45 and end at 62, sunny, with a light, steady wind.
Cold start to a day of hiking. Trails were dry and the vegetation is dying off BUT the Talley Valley and majority of Red Dam Loop trails are overgrown and should be avoided unless you are familiar with them. Numerous parts of both trails are so overgrown that the trail disappears so unless you're already familiar with the trail, best to stay off these two until park personnel have a chance to cut back the vegetation.
Not many birds were out except for a few Loggerhead Shrikes (photo attached) and two different red-tailed hawks. A couple of butterflies were seen which surprised me. Since it's Saturday, the trails had a few more more people on them - hikers and mountain bikers - than I usually encounter. Everyone was in a cheerful mood as they enjoyed the weather and the trails.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water, shade and toilets available at the mid-way point on Roadrunner Loop.
Water and shade available along Roadrunner Loop at the campsites.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout
User:
MikeHikes - 11/14/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.50 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Bell's Trailhead> service road (S) > Dinosaur > Lower Big Hill > service road (S) > Badlands > River Bend > service road (E) > Cougar Lookout 5.9 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
This is my 200th log entry!!
Temps start at 62 end at 75, light winds, partly cloudy then sunny.
Haven't hiked in a few weeks due to weather and park closure for hunting. Most of the trails have been groomed BUT the southern portion of River Bend and most of Javalina are R-O-U-G-H!!! The combination of wet trails and the park's longhorns have really done a number on the trails - they are difficult to walk and will be for awhile.
Still lots of caterpillars and butterflies but the Monarchs are mostly gone. A good day for a hike!
NOTES
Water available at Bell's Trailhead in the campground.
Water, info kiosk and shade available at Dinosaur Tracks viewing area.
Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Lookout. CAUTION - there are a lot of wasps/yellowjackets by the info kiosk.
Water, info kiosk, shade and dry toilets aavilable at the River Bend Ghost Camp. CAUTION should be exercised when using the dry toilets.
South Shore Roadrunner Loop (Partial)
User:
MikeHikes - 10/30/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 2.40 Miles
Duration: 1 hour
Just a fitness hike around part of the Roadrunner Loop. Saw White Crowned Sparrows, a few woodpeckers and other birds as well as a flock of Pelicans leaving O.C. Fisher Reservoir (photo attached).
A pleasant, slow hike.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking lot.
Water and shade available along the route at the campsites.
South Shore Playground parking Area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 10/28/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo 4.5 miles
Return Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Lanky Lackey (20 yds) > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 5.3 miles
Temps started at 63 ended at 83, sunny, steady breeze.
A good long hike through a few trails I haven't been on in awhile. Talley Valley should be avoided at this time unless you are already familiar with it - very high vegetation hides the trail as well as the trail needs some fill rock/dirt in many places.
Since my last hike, there has been trail maintenance on other sections such as Nature Loop so personnel are working but it's going to take awhile to get all the trails back up to speed. In the meantime, watch your footing and slow down.
There were a large number of butterflies out; a few Monarchs but mostly "other types" that I don't know the names of. Still quite a few flowers and shrubs with blooms the butterflies visited as well as numerous caterpillars. All in all, an enjoyable hike.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to 5 Points Junction
User:
MikeHikes - 10/20/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 11.00 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 20 minutes
Out Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > service road (S) 100 yds > Badlands > River Bend > 5 Points Junction 6.1 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (N) > Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > River bend Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 4.9 miles
Temps 65 at start 75 at end, light overcast then sunny, steady northerly winds.
Trails have been groomed for the most part but are still rough in spots. No animal acitivity, some birds but once again, mostly caterpillars eating and spinning their cocoons. Last week at the South Shore, the bugs ate tumbleweeds. Today on this hike, they were eating Bee Brush shrubs.
The breeze kept me cool and the hike was enjoyable!
NOTES
Water is available at Bell's Trailhead in the nearby campground.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Tracks viewing area on Dinosaur Trail.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Lookout.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Ghost camp. ADVISE CAUTION WHEN USING TOILETS.
South Shore Roadrunner Loop to Burkett Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 10/13/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 2.9 miles
Leg 2 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.8 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.9 miles
Temps at 55 to start and 65 at end, overcast, light cool wind.
A good hike today on dry trails with an overcast sky. Not many birds out and about. Vegetation is slowly beginning to die off although the trails could use some trimming. On a positive note - the final section of Tasajilla Flats that connects to the Nature Loop, had been mowed again and the trail is much easier to traverse. The same cannot be said for Nature Loop!
Of interest - about 12 - 14 years ago, during the Winter, severe Northerly winds brought an inordinately large amount of tumbleweeds into the area that Winding Snake goes through. In some cases, the piles of tumbleweeds were 8 - 10 foot tall. As time passed, the tumbleweeds broke down and disappeared. Don't know if it was due to the rains we've had or "just because" but a lot of green plants that will soon turn into brown tumbleweeds are growing. There were numerous caterpillars eating the small leaves and flowers (photo attached). Not all caterpillars were the same either - I counted at least five different types enjoying the abundant food available.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade and toilets available at the camping area along the Roadrunner Loop.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout
User:
MikeHikes - 10/5/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (NW 50 yds) > Badlands > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Lookout 5.8 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend campground > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > North Scenic Loop > service road (E then N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.5 miles
Temps 75 to start and 90 at end, sunny, steady SW breeze.
Last time I hiked this route, the trails were muddy and it started to rain which made them even worse. Well, the once smooth trails have, because of the prior rains, become hard and difficult to traverse! Humans, bicycles and animals had gouged the muddy dirt and when it dried, it looked and felt, like broken chunks of concrete. It will be some time before the clods are broken down and the trails are smooth once again.
Saw quite a few Monarch butterflies today in the pecan groves and along the river banks. A rattler was also encountered and was fairly aggressive but no harm was done to me or the snake.
A good hike overall and this hike brings me to the 1,500 recorded mile mark!!
NOTES
Water available at Bell's Trailhead in the nearby campground area.
Water, info kiosk and shade available at the Dinosaur track viewing area.
Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Lookout.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Ghost Campground. CAUTION when using the dry toilets.
Park Mid-section Burkett to Cougar Lookout Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 9/29/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.70 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (N) > Cougar Lookout 6.0 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > service road (W) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (E) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 4.7 miles
Temps in the low 70's to start and low 80's at end, sunny, dry and steady, light North wind.
Five days ago was the last time it rained yet many portions of the trails today were damp and in a few places, very muddy. Otherwise, the trails were shaggy and hiking was slow because of the ever present danger of rattlers lying under the tall grasses.
Lots of birds today as well as insects (photo attached). Not much to report that hasn't already been said - the trails are becoming more overgrown with vegetation and if you don't know where you're going, it is easy to lose the trail at certain points.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Shade and info kiosk at Cougar Lookout.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett and Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 9/23/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park 3.3 miles
Leg 2 Burkett park > 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 in the low 80's, steady wind, sunny, light humidity.
I wanted to hike Roadrunner Loop since I haven't been on it in awhile but couldn't stop there so I decided to do my "normal" hike in reverse order - glad I did!
I started Leg 1 around 0930 and saw lots of birds including the attached photo of a male Golden Fronted Woodpecker being shadowed by a Hummingbird. Further on, I saw this season's first Goldfinch and the first verified Monarch butterfly.
Trails were dry except in a few widely scattered low spots where they were slightly muddy. Park personnel have mowed but the vegetation grows and grows!
Two notes of interest - (1) there are LOTS of ground bees on the top of Red Dam (part of the Red Dam Loop) and the vegetation is extremely thick so my advice is to avoid this trail until Winter and (2) the portion of Tasajilla Flats that had been impassable has been mowed BUT it is still very rough. If you hike it, watch where you place your feet!
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 is available in the campgrounds along the North, West and South sides of Roadrunner Loop.
South Shore Playground parking area to 5 Points Junction Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 9/15/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 13.80 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bells Point > Playground (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 6.8 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 7.0 miles
Temps in the 80's, mostly sunny, light wind and humid.
Long hike today along dry trails that are in need of trimming. For the past two years, San Angelo has had above average rain. This, coupled with the park's mesquite eradication program and last year's controlled fires, have caused the vegetation to grow rapidly. There have been efforts by park personnel to mow but the vegetation is winning the battle. If you hike, be aware of the possibility of snakes in the underbrush.
On the majority of my hikes I encounter a snake, mostly rattlers but not always. Today I saw a Sonoran Gopher Snake (photo attached) who wanted me to believe he was a rattler by rearing up and acting aggressive - problem with the act, he was about 12-18 inches long. Nonetheless, I gave him a wide berth and all was well.
Lots of grasshoppers out today and there are still a few patches of Bee Brush blooming and scenting the air - a long but pleasant hike.
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 Bell's Point -on Playground trail near the North end.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 9/8/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.70 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > service road (E) > Nature Loop > lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo (E) > East Potts Creek 5.6 miles
Return East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake >Chaparral > Playground parking area 4.1 miles
Temps started in the mid 80's ended in upper 90's, sunny, light steady SW wind.
Trails are dry and in need of trimming which park personnel are doing. Due to rains in the recent past, there are portions of all the trails that could use some repair - either with fill dirt or rock.
Saw quite a few birds today including a juvenile male Vermillion Flycatcher, Yellow Billed Cuckoo, Loggerhead Shrike and numerous Mockingbirds, Sparrows and Quail.
Saw a fairly large rattler (photo attached) who I convinced to turn around and go back into the brush.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets 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
User:
MikeHikes - 9/4/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett park > Burkett trail > service road (ENE) > service road (W) > 5 Points Junction 2.5 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett trail > Burkett park 3.5 miles
Temps in the low 90's, partly cloudy, steady wind and slightly humid.
Almost all of the trails were dry with a few muddy spots. Trails could use another trim but they were all passable. No animal or reptiles seen, just some birds including this preening Roadrunner (photo attached). Quite a few folks on the trails for Labor Day weekend !
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Lookout
User:
MikeHikes - 9/1/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Badlands > River Bend > service road (E) > Cougar Lookout 5.6 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > North Slick Rock > service road (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.5 miles
Temps in the mid-70's, very humid, cloudy, rain.
The trails had been mowed but were wet and mud due to recent rains. As I was hiking the rains started and continued for some time. Shelter was obtained at Cougar Lookout as I waited until the rains abated. On the return hike, the trails were even wetter and muddier than before, in one case a stream was gushing down a portion of a trail (photo attached). On the return leg, I had to use the service roads that had been recently scraped. On numerous sections, I was walking through ankle to calf deep water.
Prior to the rains I saw a rattlesnake lying by the trail as I rounded a bend - startled me as well as the snake but he slid sideways into the brush watching me all the time with a few rattles given. Also saw a Horned Toad and a few birds. The sagebrush and beebrush were blooming as well.
NOTES
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Trailhead.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Tracks viewing area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend ghost camp.
WATER AVAILABILITY AT THE RIVER BEND GHOST CAMP IS FAIRLY RECENT. There had been water but about 2-3 years ago, it was shut off, now it is back on. This is significant because it is one of two water spots in the North Shore area.
South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 8/21/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > service road (E) > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's trail > Burkett park > Burkett trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo 5.0 miles
Return Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster > Suzanne's trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 5.6 miles
Temps in the low 70's to start and low 80's at end, mostly cloudy, intermittent winds, humid.
I went on a slow, careful trek today along this route. Recent rains have made the trails either (a) wet and muddy or (b) wet and rocky depending on how much of the soil was washed away. There were a few Bee Brush beginning to bloom once more so that was a pleasant scent to encounter. Saw lots of birds and there were more people on the trails than usual - I saw 1 runner, 2 mountain bikers and 4 hikers - not many, to be sure, but for this park, quite a few!
All in all, the trails need to be groomed and in some spots, repaired with fill dirt or rock to combat the erosion the rains have caused. The final section of Tasajilla Flats trail (the northernmost leg) is impassable - the vegetation is very thick and higher than the 7 foot tall signpost.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Park Mid-section Burkett park to Bell's Point
User:
MikeHikes - 8/7/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.60 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Out Burkett park> Burkett > East Potts Creek > Armadillo (E) > Playground > Bell's Point 2.5 miles
Return Bell's Point > Playground (N) > service road (NE) > service road (SW) > Burkett > Burkett park 2.1 miles
Temp about 103, mostly sunny, light wind, HOT!
Fitness hike with friends. Saw a Great Horned Owl near Bell's Point and heard (twice) sounds of a cat but we couldn't see it. Don't know if it was a feral cat or a bobcat kitten.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
CAUTION - shaded areas have active wasp/hornet nests in the corners - be careful.
Park Mid-section Burkett to Cougar Overlook
User:
MikeHikes - 8/4/2016
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.40 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Out Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 5.3 miles
Return Cougar Overlook > service road (SW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 3.1 miles
Temp was 80 at start and 97 at end, sunny, no clouds, steady light SW breeze.
Haven't been to Cougar Overlook in quite awhile and I wanted to see how the N Concho River was flowing. Along the way, I saw three Roadrunners and it looked like it was one adult and two juveniles. Numerous small birds, no reptiles or animals at all.
When I arrived at the Overlook, I immediately saw the river, while still flowing, has decreased in depth - there is a prominent rock that has been completely covered with water but it is now visible to a small degree.
Walked back along the service roads which have been recently scrapped. Saw one mountain biker and that was it!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.
CAUTION - all shade areas have active wasp/hornet nest so be careful where you sit!