Out    Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo          4.8 miles

Return  Armadillo (West) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area   5.8 miles

Temps in the upper 60's, cloudy and overcast, steady breeze.

Fairly cool day for a hike.  I didn't start until 10:00 and was surprised to see a feral cat on the nortern end of Tasajilla Flats and about 1/2 mile further on the Nature Loop, I saw a bobcat walking away from me.  Birds were all over the place and I'm seeing more hawks out and about.    I also saw four moutain bikers which also surprised me.

All in all a nice day to go for a hike.

NOTES

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park - if you follow my route you will visit Burkett park twice.

and a bobcat on Tasajilla Flats, near the northern end

Out     Playground parking area > Tsajillo Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo (East) > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction     7.1 miles

Return  5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (West) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area    6.9 miles

Temps in the low 60's climbing to mid 70's, northerly breeze, sunny.

Great day to hike!  Saw hawks, a black feral cat, a Red Fox (no photo), couple of field mice and rats, LOTS of birds (photo attached) and a Checkered Garter Snake which surprised me.

Enjoyed the hike, solitude and nice weather.

NOTES

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park - this is the connector for the figure 8 so you will visit twice.

Water and shade available at Bell's Point (1/2 mile Soutyh of junction of Playground and Flintstone trails)

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

Out     Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Overlook     5.3 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > Playground> Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park    4.8 miles

Temps in the low 70's to start, low 80's at end, steady breeze, mostly cloudy turning to mostly sunny.

A very good day to hike!  I saw a Great Horned Owl right at the start of the hike, otherwise just the usual birds on the trails.  A few lizards scurried and two rats were also observed.

This log entry brings me to 1,000 logged miles!!

NOTES

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

Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction - where Turkey Creek, River Bend and Flintstone trails intersect.  If you follow my route, you will pass this area on the way out and on the return.  Suggest you hydrate both times.

Shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point - on the return leg, about .5 mile South on Playground Trail.

Out     Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo (East) > East Potts Creek          5.5 miles

Return  East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area       4.2 miles

Temps in the 80's, mostly steady breeze and partly cloudy.

Lots of birds today -  I spooked two Nighthawks off their perches, three Great Blue Herons flew overhead as did a few Turkey Vultures.  Lots of sparrows, woodpeckers, flickers, etc.  Also saw a single cottontail rabbit. 

The Monarch Butterflies are migrating south so I saw lots of them as well (photo attached).  I know they like milkweed but they also seem to like the purple gayfeathers that are scattered throughout the park.

The trails are looking better because of the vegetation has died back some.  A few places still have over hangs of weeds and the gnats are still active!

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 > Burkett > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Flintstone > Cougar Overlook     4.8 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > service road (W) > River Bend (SW) > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park       5.4 miles

Temps in the low 80's to start and low 90's to end.  Partly cloudy and light breeze.

The hike was a good one for wildlife!  There were no people on the trails the entire time I hiked but I saw jack rabbits, LOTS of quail, deer and a grey fox.  The fox was walking south on Flintstone Trail where it connects to Playground Trail - I was on Playground.  He saw me, let me get a few pictures and then went back the way he came.

The vegetation is dying out as Fall approaches so the trails are easier to hike; there are still parts that are overgrown but not many.

Looking forward to the cooler weather so all the snakes hibernate.  I saw one snake briefly - it looked to be about three or four foot long, fairly thick and a light, pale green in color.  He shot across the trail about five feet in front of me as I was at the end of Suzanne's trail.  No rattles and he was fast so I saw him maybe two seconds at the most.

All in all, a good hike!

NOTES

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point - near the northern end of Playground trail.

Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction - where Flintstone, River Bend and Turkey Creek trails meet.  You will visit this area going out and coming back, if you follow my route.  Hydrate both times!

Out     Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction             6.9 miles

Return  5 Points Junction > Flintstone (South) > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area        6.7 miles

Temps in the mid 80's, VERY humid, light wind and partly cloudy to start.  Temps around 98, less humid, light winds and sunny on return.

The humidity was a killer today!  I was drenched in sweat within 20 minutes of hiking and this is on slightly inclined terrain.  As I continued to hike, the humidity eased some and the wind picked up a little so it was do-able.

Saw some mountain bikers and a trail runner today which was pretty unusual.  Not much animal activity except for two rats scampering into the weeds as I approached.  The thistle is growing (photo attached) and being used by grasshoppers and bees.  Vegetation is drying out even more so the park's predominant color is golden brown except for the broom weed which continues to stay green.

It was a hot and dry hike but a nice one.

NOTES

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

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point - about .75 miles south  from 5 Points Junction on Playground trail.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park - at the junction of the southern end of Burkett Trail and northern end of Winding Snake Trail.

Out     Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo       5.5 miles

Return Armadillo (West) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area   5.6 miles

Temps at 85 to start and 103 at finish, sunny with fairly constant winds.

The dry weather has impacted the vegetation quite a bit - lots of dead or dormant weeds and grasses.  The park personnel have run mowers over some of the trails but there are still sections where the weeds are over six feet high; namely the northern portion of Tasajilla Flats as well as a few portions of the Nature Loop.  Always have to be cautious about stepping on snakes or the park's smaller inhabitants like horned toads.

Saw more field rats today which is becoming the norm - don't like it but what can you do?

Not much trash to pick up and it felt very nice walking along the trails so this was 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.  If you follow my route exactly, you will visit Burkett park going out and coming back.  HYDRATE!!!!

Route    Burkett park > Burkett Trail > service road (NE) > service road (WNW) > Playground Trail (South) > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park      4.8 miles

Temps in the upper 90's, light variable wind, sunny.

Fitness hike with friends.  The wind was welcome when it blew but there were periods when it didn't and all we felt was the hot and dry air.  Most of the vegetation is dying so the trails are not as overgrown as they have been.

Only saw a few birds and a few lizards - that was it.  Not much else to report.

NOTES

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point (on the return leg).

Out      Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo Trail (east)       5.7 miles

Return  Armadillo Trail > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area     4.2 miles

85 degrees to start, end at 98, steady wind and sunny.

After not hiking for a few weeks, today's hike was very much needed.  The weather was hot and dry but the wind made it do-able.  Although part of the trails have been mowed, other parts still overgrown - part of Tasajilla Flats had plants taller than me covering the trail.

Most of the trails at the park are rocky with a covering of loose soil.  Because of the dry conditions, the dirt on the trails is loose and dry.  Coupled with the mowed and dead vegetation laying on the trails, in some places, it was slick and almost like walking on ice - be careful!

NOTES

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park (return leg - junction of southern end of Burkett Trail and north end of Winding Snake Trail).

Out       Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > River Bend > service road (East) > Cougar Overlook        5.8 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park     5.5 miles

Temps started in the low 80's and ended at 99 degrees, sunny and a steady breeze at 10-12 mph.

A good day for a hike!  It was hot but the low humidity and steady breeze made the hike very enjoyable.  The trails are dry but still have many sections overgrown with vegetation.  Nonetheless, it was fairly easy to find the trail and walk through the flexible stems.

Lots of grasshoppers of various sizes and colors, lizards and one horned toad.  Bee brush blooms and as always, the scent is very pleasant.

One interesting note - on Pulliam Point, we saw four people dressed in camouflage utilities.  "JADE HELM" is on-going so I assumed they were part of it (although I was unaware any of the exercise being conducted in San Angelo).  Waves were exchanged and we continued to hike.  Later, we saw a Blackhawk flying off to the East.  I still have my guns and I can assure you, San Angelo is NOT under martial law.

NOTES

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

Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Point Junction - (northern end of Turkey Creek, southern end of River bend and Flintstone trails converge).  If you follow my route you will visit this point on both legs of the hike.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.

Water and shade available at Bell's Point - near the northern end of Playground Trail on the return leg.

Out       Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo (East) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park       7.0 miles

Return   Burkett Park > Winding Snake >Chaparral > Playground parking area        3.1 miles

Temps in the low 90's, partly cloudy, steady 10-15 mph southerly breeze.

Checked O.C. Fisher lake prior to the hike and although it is only 14.7% full, it is looking a lot better than it did six months ago when it was near empty.  Still need LOTS more rain!!!

The trails are getting rougher because the recent rains have washed more of the topsoil off them exposing the rock underneath.  Additionally, the rains have spurred the vegetation to grow which covers parts of the trails.  A few places have been mowed by the park personnel but there is a lot more to do.

Saw one large horned toad, lots of lizards and birds.  One bird spotted was a Yellow Billed Cuckoo (photo attached) which I seem to see once every other year. 

Also, lots of people were using the park today.  Among them was a father & his daughter who were hiking with no clue where they were or where they were going - of course, they had one 16 oz bottle of water between them and were not dressed in clothes appropriate for hiking.  Gave them some more water and tried to guide them onto some easy trails.  Whether they listened or not I have no idea.

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 > Shady Trail > service road (South) > Scenic Loop > service road (South) > Upper Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (West) > River Bend (South) > Javalina Trail > Cougar Overlook     3.8 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > service road (West) > River Bend (North) > Badlands > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail > service road (North) > Bell's Trailhead     6.1 miles

Temps in the upper 70's to mid 80's, partly cloudy and a constant 10-15 mph South wind.

Haven't been to the North Shore in a few weeks and I'm sorry to report, it may be awhile before I return - the trails are OVERGROWN to an unprecedented degree.  The above avaerage rains coupled with the normal growing season has seen an explosion in vegetation growth.  So much so, that vast parts of the trails are totally overgrown and IMO, not safe to walk on due to the presence of snakes (rattlers).

On the positive side, there was hardly any trash to pick up and the one rattler we did encounter, was seen in a clear part of the trail so there was no danger. 

I don't plan to go back to the North Shore for at least a month in the hope the park personnel will have time to run a brush hog on the trails and/or the vegetation will die back some.

I recommend that hikers stick to the park's South and Mid sections for hiking.

NOTES

Info kiosk available at Bell's Trailhead.  STRONGLY Recommend you have plenty of water prior to your hike - there is ONE location for potable water on all these trails (see below).

Shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Ghost Camp (at the north end of the Lower Ghost camp Trail). WATER FOR ANIMALS ONLY is available.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.

Shade, info kiosk and water available at the Dinosaur Track area.  This is the ONLY potable water available on the North Shore trails.