Out       Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point        2.7 miles

Return   Bell's Point > service road (West) > Turkey Creek (South) > Armadillo (East) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park   2.7 miles

Temps in the upper 80's, partly cloudy, steady southerly wind.

Fitness hike with a friend.  The trails were pretty good although the grasses are still somewhat high.  Found a small bird's egg on the trail (photo attached) later identified as a Titmouse egg.

Some of the park's longhorns were clustered around the cattle tank on top of Armadillo Ridge and a few of the young bulls were curious about us but left us alone.

NOTES

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

Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
 

Out     Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road (S) > Scenic Loop > service road (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (S) > Cougar Overlook        3.3 miles

Return Cougar Overlook > service road (W) > River Bend (N) > Badlands > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (N) > Bell's Trailhead      6.2 miles

Temps low 80's to low 90's, mostly sunny, light 10-15 mph southerly breeze.

A nice day for a hike.  I was at the North Shore trails two weeks ago which was the first time there since the big flood.  Park personnel have worked on some of the trails - clearing debris and cutting vegetation but there is still a lot of work to be done.   There is still lots of grass which needs to be cut, especially on Dinosaur Trail, and some of the trails need to be smoothed out.

Buzzing in my ears and flying into my eyes, gnats made their presence known constantly.  Their friends, the biting flies, stopped by as well but the mosquitoes which plagued me two weeks ago, were not bothersome at all.

Saw some lizards and at the beginning of the hike, we filled our snake quota by seeing a two foot long rattler (photo attached).  Of course, we picked up a bag of trash along the trails so I consider this to have been a good hike!

NOTES

Shade, info kiosk, dry toilets and water for ANIMALS ONLY available at the River Bend Ghost Camp.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.

Shade, info kiosk and water available at the Dinosaur Tracks area - this is the ONLY water available on the North Shore trails so make sure you have water with you prior to hiking.

Out     Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > service road (ENE) > Cougar Overlook       3.0 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park    5.9 miles

Low 80's, slight breeze, mostly sunny.

A hike with a friend. We saw four horned toads; two of them were quite small, lots of lizards and birds.  The mosquitoes were not bad at all, I don't know if it was because of the steady breeze, time of day or the fact the trails had dried out a little more.

Not much trash encountered which is always a good thing.  Saw one mountain biker as we were on the retunr leg.  All in all, a very nice hike!

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. Hydrate because there is no water available along this route for 5 more miles.

Shade and info kiosk at Cougar Overlook.

Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction (where Flintstone, Turkey Creek and River Bend trails intersect) on the return route.  Last water available on this route.

Out     Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Flintstone > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead    8.8 miles

Return  Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park  10.5 miles

Low 80's, light wind increasing in intensity as the hike progressed, partly cloudy sky with periods of bright sun.

This is the first time I've had a chance to walk the northern trails since the big rain storms of a few weeks ago which flooded the northern section of the park and brought the OC Fisher lake from less than 1% to almost 14% full.

To put it briefly - all the northern trails have flood damage including flood debris blocking the trail, embankments near the trail being washed away (which I believe will cause the trail to be re-routed for safety reasons), damage from the Longhorns using the muddy trails and making them very difficult to traverse, overgrown vegetation masking the trails and making snake avoidance difficult and finally, the ever present stagnant mud and MOSQUITOES.

This is not to say the trails in the park's trails in the mid-section and southern portions were pristine; they are not, but the storm's effects are negligible in comparison with the exception of the overgrown vegetation and numerous mosquitoes.

The mosquitoes were incessant - at one point while on Roller Coaster, the buzzing I heard was so loud,  I thought I was walking past a beehive, but I quickly realized mosquitoes were making the noise.  I didn't bring bug repellent so I was constantly swatting and killing mosquitoes in all the low lying areas I traversed yet I still counted 30 bites the following morning.

As the day progressed, the winds picked up so when I was in areas that were higher up and in the open, the mosquitoes weren't as bad but when I had to go into the dips and valleys - it was a constant battle!!

The positives of the recent rains far outweigh the negatives and I will be prepared for future hikes by bringing lots of repellent!

NOTES

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

Water amd shade available at Bell's Point (near the northern end of Playground Trail).

Water, shade, amd info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction (River Bend, Turkey Creek and Flintstone intersection).  If you follow my route you will visit this on both legs of the trip.  I STRONGLY advise you to hydrate as much as possible when visiting - there is one water area in the northern portion of the park and if you follow my return route, this is the last water area as you hike back to Burkett Park.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook (junction of northern end of Flintstone and Jvaalina trails).

Shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground (ghost camp) near the northern end of the Lower Ghost Camp Trail.  Water is also available for ANIMALS only.

Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur tracks area along Dinosaur Trail (about 1.5 miles South from Bell's Trailhead).  This is the ONLY water area in the northern portion of the park.

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

Return Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area          3.4 miles

Cool, windy, overcast day.

With all the recent record setting rains, the North Shore of the park is closed so we decided to see what damage, if any, was done to the South SHore trails.  Besides occassional muddy spots on the trail, the trails were in pretty good shape.  The vegetation is growing and in some cases, it covers the trail(s) but the damage was a lot less severe than I though it would be.

Saw a few birds and lots of cactus blooms!  Otherwise, not much to report.

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 > Turkey Creek > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Overlook       5.9 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park     5.4 miles

Temps in the low 70's, sunny and breezy.  As the day progressed, the temps increased to the low 80's by the time we finished.

A relaxing hike along the western trails and a return along the eastern trails.  MANY flowers in bloom and I saw the first cactus flowers of the year on the Playground Trail south of Bell's Point!

Numerous mountain bikers, hikers and two trail runners were encountered - all meets were conducted courteously by both parties.  It was very unusual to see soo many people on the trails. Birds continue to sing their mating songs and with the numerous flowers blooming and filling the air with their scent --- it was a very pleasant day with a noteable exception.

Unfortunately, and I hope it was by accident, two good sized lizards were smashed by mountain bikers at different locations; one was still alive but suffering so I had to decapitate him with my knife; the ants were already feasting on the head and body by the time I had cleaned and stowed my blade. 

Please be aware of where you place your feet or roll your tires - watch out for the park's small inhabitants, enjoy the scenery and don't worry so much about how fast you finish your ride or hike.

NOTES

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

Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction (intersection of northern end of Turkey Creek and southern end of River Bend trails).  If you follow my route, you will return to 5 Points after you leave Cougar Overlook along Flintstone Trail.

Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.

Water and shade available at Bell's Point (near the northern end of Playground Trail).

Route  Playground parking lot > Fitness Loop      3.0 miles

Fitness hike along the newest trail in the park (it's about a year old but I've never walked it).  It is a wide dirt path that loops an area near the camping areas in the park.  Nothing spectacular about it.

NOTES

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

Out       Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction     7.1 miles

Return   5 Points Junction > Flintstone > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area    6.3 miles

Low 70's, overcast and variable wind to start, low 80's, overcast and steady wind on the return leg. 

Nobody else was on the trails although there were ferocious swarms of gnats which would attack when the wind died down.  As the hike continued, the winds became steady and the gnats went away.

I saw one dead garter snake with no indication of what had killed it.  Also found, on a different section of the trail, a dead lizard and again, no indication of what killed it.  On a positive note, I saw about five lizards at various times and locales while on the hike.

Lots of birds, the lace cactus and bee brush are blooming as well as a great number of wild flowers scattered throughout the park. Very pleasant scents during the entire hike.

No animals and no rattlers seen!

NOTES

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

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

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

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park (return leg at junction of Burkett and Winding Snake trails).

Out      Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park       3.2 miles

Return  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area          2.9 miles

Temps in the low 70's, overcast and very light wind.

Had a little rain last night but the trails were only slightly muddy.  Vegetation was wet though so after a short time on the trails, my feet were soaked.  We saw one small snake on Horny Toad - it was thin and had a greenish coloring; I saw the lower half on the trail and when I raised my camera to get a picture, the snake slithered off into the bushes.  No rattles, no worries!

Flowers continue to bloom and the birds are singing for mates.  Quail spotted again and again so there should be quite a few young ones in the near future.

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 Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Flintstone > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (NE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead         7.5 miles

Return  Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (W for .1 mile) > Badlands > River Bend > Turkey Creek > Armadillo > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park       9.8 miles

Started the hike in the low 70's, overcast, humid and a good west breeze.  Ended in the 80's, overcast, humid and the same wind.

I wanted to hike from trailhead to trailhead using as many trails as possible.  So I went North on the eastern trails and returned on the western trails. 

I saw two horned toads, lots of bird activity and of course, lots of blooming flowers and other plants.  Very noticeable was the scent of vanilla from the "just beginning to bloom" bee brush plants throughout the route.

Although I was able to finish the hike, I wouldn't recommend this route in the Summer when the heat is in the upper 90's and above.

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 avaiable at 5 Points Junction (about .75 miles north of Bell's Point on Flintstone Trail).  If you follow my route, you will return to 5 Points at the southern end of River Bend Trail. 

I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU HYDRATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS IS THE LAST PLACE FOR WATER BOTH HEADING NORTH AND RETURNING SOUTH.

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Overlook (at junction of northern end of Flintstone and southern end of Javalina).

Info kiosk, shade and dry toilets available at the Upper Ghost Camp (near the northern end of Lower Ghost Camp Trail).

Water and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Track viewing area.

Out      Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Flintstone > Cougar Overlook              5.0 miles

Return  Cougar Overlook > service road (West) > River Bend (South) > service road (SSW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park     2.8 miles

Warm temps, overcast and a breeze to keep us cool and keep the bugs off.

Hiked out through the park's eastern trails and returned along the service roads that ran alongside the long dried lakebed.  Saw the first rattler of 2015 (photo attached); he was lying right alongside the trail.  I saw him and we gave him a wide berth - he kept tasting the air as we moved around him but he didn't coil up nor rattle so I considered this a peaceful encounter.

Quite a few birds singing, agaritas and flowers continue to bloom.  Saw more people on the trails than usual including two young female athletes training for a race in Montana - to each his own.

Stay safe on the trails!

NOTES

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

Water, info kiosk and shade available at 5 Points Junction (along Flintstone Trail).

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Overlook.

NOTE - This section of the state park is on the West side of FM2288 directly across from the North Shore check-in gate.  You can park by the toilets on the East side of FM2288 just past the check-in gate or on the West side of FM2288 by the swinging entrance gate to this section of the park.  I recommend you park by the toilets.

Mild temps, sunny and a light wind made this hike enjoyable.  I'd been to this section of the park last year and wanted to revisit it since I saw different birds nesting along the North Concho River which runs through.  Unfortunately the words "runs through" are a misnomer - the North Concho River, as of this writing, consists of sections of water alternating with sections of dry river bottom; the drought continues.

Can't say much for the hike route itself.  Since this section of the park is normally used solely by the park's longhorns and seasonal hunters, there are no hiking trails per se; consequently, we hiked on an overgrown dirt service road that ran parallel to the North Concho River - the road was very muddy in places.  

I hoped to see Mississippi Kites nesting, as I had last year, but there were none.  Only wildlife I saw today, besides the heron, was a single turkey vulture, cardinals, sparrows and some ducks on the river.  I did see quite a bit of was trash - mostly fired shotgun shells, paper, and old cans. 

Unless I want to look for juvenile Great Blue Herons, I don't think I'll be back to this section of the park anytime in the near future.