Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to Bell's Point Fitness Hike
User:
MikeHikes - 4/5/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 5.60 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Out Burkett Park > Burkett trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point 2.4 miles
Return Service road (West) > Turkey Creek (South) > Armadillo (East) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Fitness hike at the park - low 70's, partly cloudy and a nice breeze. Lots of bird activity as the mating season is here. The Black Throated Sparrow (Photo attached) was singing until I took his picture, then he departed.
Saw quite a few mountain bikers on the slightly muddy trails. Greetings were exchanged, trail etiquette followed and no bad feelings on either parties. A few small pieces of trash were picked up but otherwise, an uneventful yet relaxing fitness hike.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook
User:
MikeHikes - 3/31/2015
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Distance: 7.80 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
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.
South Shore Playground to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 3/29/2015
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Distance: 6.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Out Playground parking area > Tasajillo Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park 3.4 miles
Return Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.9 miles
Temps in the low 70's, sunny and a good breeze to keep the bugs away.
Nice hike at the park today. The yellow flowers are blooming and the butterflies are returning. I saw quite a bit of bird activity as the mating season begins. First hummingbird of the year was spotted!
I was so intent on looking for snakes that I didn't notice a large owl perched alongside the path not five feet in front of me until he leapt into the air and flew away. This caused numerous small birds to sound the alarm.
Another first for this year - saw a Texas spiny lizard (photo attached) sunning along the trail - he didn't mind having his picture taken and was in the same position as I left him.
NOTES
Water, info kiosk, shade and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, info kiosk, shade and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
North Shore Park Extension
User:
MikeHikes - 3/23/2015
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Distance: 6.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
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.
Trailhead to Trailhead Burkett to Bell's Trailhead
User:
MikeHikes - 3/19/2015
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Solitude:
Distance: 14.70 Miles
Duration: 6 hours, 25 minutes
Out Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > River Bend > Badlands> Dinosaur Trail > Bell's Trailhead 9.5 miles
Return Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 5.2 miles
Low 60's, partly cloudy, light wind to start and mid 70's, overcast and light wind when I ended.
This hike took me from the park's mid-section along the trails on the western edge of the park to the northern trailhead, Bell's, where I came back on some trails but mostly park service roads.
LOTS of agarita bushes in bloom and their scent was a constant reminder that Spring is here! Wandered at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the scents, sounds and sights of the park.
Another reminder of Spring was seen in the bird activity as well as the younger longhorns beginning to establish their standing in the pecking order by butting heads. Although my hiking route took me among them, I never felt threatened and I stayed away from the contests.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, info kiosk and a porta toilet (unknown how long it will be here) at 5 Points Junction (junction of Turkey Creek and River Bend heading North).
Water, shade and info kiosk at Dinosaur Tracks area. LAST PLACE TO GET WATER FOR HUMANS IF YOU FOLLOW MY ROUTE.
Shade at Bell's Trailhead.
Shade, info kiosk, dry toilets and water for HORSES ONLY at Upper Ghost Camp (along Lower Ghost Camp trail).
Shade and info kiosk at Cougar Overlook.
Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to Bell's Trailhead
User:
MikeHikes - 3/15/2015
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.20 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Route Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > service road (ENE) > Cougar Outlook > service road (WNW) > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 5.2 miles
Return via vehicle to Burkett Park.
Low 60's, overcast and a light wind. I've wanted to do a trailhead to trailhead hike for some time and today I did a "junior" version. Easy hike with the vast majority of the miles hiked along service roads with the remaining short stretches, on trails.
In the northern part of the park, the longhorns are currently grazing. They are used to people, consequently, they are not shy and will get fairly close. Remember, they are NOT pets and should be treated with caution.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. This is the ONLY place to get water for humans on the route - there are a few cattle tanks and horse troughs where water is available for horses.
Shade and info kiosk at Cougar Outlook.
Shade, info kiosk, dry toilets and water for horses available at Upper Ghost Camp.
Park Mid-Section Burkett Trail
User:
MikeHikes - 3/13/2015
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Distance: 1.20 Miles
Duration: 45 minutes
Warm, sunny day with a light breeze. Walked from Burkett Park along Burkett Trail and back.
Saw a solitary longhorn near the turnaround point. It looked like the same cow I saw in the same general vicinity last week. I talked to the park personnel on my way out and they assured me the longhorn was in good health and was properly looked after. For whatever reason, she wanted some solitude from the rest of the herd.
Also saw an AWACS plane (photo attached) which is very unusual for this area.
Nobody else on the trails; it was a good hike.
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook
User:
MikeHikes - 3/11/2015
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Distance: 6.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (South) > North Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (SE) > Cougar Overlook 2.7 miles
Return Cougar Overlook > service road (North) > Javelina Trail > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (North) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.3 miles
Foggy, lower 50's and overcast to begin but clear, lower 70's and sunny by the time we finished.
Saw quite a few birds out this morning as we tramped along the wet roads and trails. Some of the agarita bushes are blooming so the scent of mesquite smoke and honey was in the air. The trails were sticky in spots but by the time we finished, most of the mud had dried on the trails as well as on our hiking shoes.
NOTES
NO WATER for humans is available on this route - be prepared !
Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Outlook.
Shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Upper Ghost camp (near the junction of Lower Ghost Camp and South Slick Rock trails).
Park Mid-Section Burkett to Armadillo Ridge Plus Fitnes Hike
User:
MikeHikes - 3/8/2015
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.70 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes
Route Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo Trail > Turkey Creek (North) > service road (East) > Playground Trail > Armadillo Trail > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Just a fitness hike with friends. Temps in the low 50's, overcast and slight breeze - no bad actually! The route looks more complicated than it is - basically, we went West for a short distance before heading North until we came to the first service road crossing Turkey Creek Trail. Followed it East until we came to the point where it crossed Playground Trail. Got on Playground Trail heading South and continued on the listed trails until we arrived back at Burkett Park.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets at Burkett Park.
South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge
User:
MikeHikes - 3/3/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo Ridge (East) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 6.6 miles
Return Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.7 miles
Foggy and overcast, low 40's to begin but temps rose to the low 60's, partly cloudy and no fog by the time we finished. The trails were damp and sticky in places making us stop a few times to knock the mud off our hiking shoes.
Found a pile of eight golf balls behind a agarita shrub along a trail - no idea why the balls were there. Saw a couple of road runners (photo attached) as well as other birds. One of the resident longhorns had wandered away from the main herd and looked out of place so we called park personnel to retrieve the animal - I assume they did. Not much trash besides the golf balls was found during the hike. The fresh air and exercise plus relaxing with a post-hike cigar and bottle of stout when I got home made this a very good day!
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 Cougar Overlook
User:
MikeHikes - 2/26/2015
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Distance: 7.20 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo Ridge > Playground > Flintstone > River Bend > service road (ENE) > Cougar Outlook 4.5 miles
Return Cougar Outlook > service roads (WSW) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 2.7 miles
Temp in the mid-30's, overcast and a strong northerly wind made this a cold, gloomy hike. We were dressed for the weather though so the only time it was bad was when the winds hit us in the face.
I wanted to do this route since I had not been on the service roads in quite awhile. Saw one group of three and one group of six, deer at different locations on the hike, some of the Official State of Texas Longhorns were seen on the way back and quite a few birds were flying about. Even though it was cold, all the animals still had to eat.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point (near the junction of Playground and Flintstone Trails).
Water, shade, info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 2/20/2015
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.20 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 50 minutes
1st Leg - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park 3.3 miles
2nd Leg - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo Ridge (West) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park 3.3 miles
3rd Leg - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.6 miles
Sunny, breezy and temps in the upper 60's to start and near 80 at the end. Excellent weather for a hike and I wanted to get one in before the upcoming cold front on Sunday which is supposed to drop temps in the 30's.
The weather is fooling the plants and animal. Smelled the familiar scent of agarita blooms and found more than one bush beginning to bloom with yellow flowers. The smell can be described as mesquite smoke and honey! More surprising, I saw my first snake of 2015 as well (photo attached). Found out it is a Texas Patchnose Snake - probably about 24 inches long. He was stretched out along the Lanky Lackey trail and I was surprised to see him this early in the year.
I got a few pictures and when I moved closer, he slithered away. 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.
South Shore Playground to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 2/15/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 5.70 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Horny Toad > Nature Loop > Lankey Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett Park 2.7 miles
Return Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Charparral > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Warm, sunny with a slight breeze. No wildlife and only a few birds observed but nonetheless, a very pleasant and relaxing hike!
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 to Armadillo Ridge
User:
MikeHikes - 2/12/2015
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Rating:
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Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek Trail > Armadillo Ridge (West) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > service road (NNE) > Burkett Park 6.6 miles
Return Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Lankey Lackey > Nature Loop > Horny Toad Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Basically, North bound on the eastern trails and return on the western trails. Cool, overcast and slightly windy day. Don't know if it was because of the overcast day, the cold or something else but there were very few birds and no wild life out. I did see a nice male ladderback woodpecker (photo attached).
All in all, an uneventful but very 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 (outward and return routes).
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to 5 Points Junction
User:
MikeHikes - 2/10/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Out Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > 5 Points Junction 5.2 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (NNE) > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (ENE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 4.4 miles
Hike began with sunny skies, steady South wind and 60 degree temps but ended at 80+ degrees! I wandered through the North Shore primarily to see what the park looked like after the prescribed burns of a month or so ago. The biggest area burned is on Dinosaur Trail, which is mostly open, but there are areas scattered around that were burned as well.
No wildlife observed, just birds. Surprisingly, I picked up three bags of trash today. Most of it was old stuff so I'll credit the burn with uncovering the old cans and glass. I found a relatively new and functional, although slightly melted, flashing safety light. I stowed it in my pack and will keep in just in case!
NOTES
Water, shade and info kiosk at Dinosaur Tracks area.
Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction - BE ADVISED this is the last place you will have the opportunity to get water if you follow my route. HYDRATE WHILE YOU CAN!
Shade and info kiosk at Cougar Outlook (junction of Flintstone and Javalina trails on return leg).
Dry toilets, shade, info kiosk and water FOR HORSES ONLY at the Upper Ghost Camp (junction of Lower Ghost Camp and South Slick Rock trails on return leg).
Park Mid-section Burkett to 5 Points Junction
User:
MikeHikes - 2/4/2015
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Solitude:
Distance: 7.40 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 4.0 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Flintstone > Playground > Armadillo Ridge > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.4 miles
Upper 40's and overcast to start but the clouds cleared and the temp was up in the 60's by the time we finished.
Nice leisurely hike. The trails were still damp after Saturday's welcome rains. Not many birds and no wild life observed. Any hike is a good one so I won't complain!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point (on return leg).
Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to Cougar Outlook
User:
MikeHikes - 1/30/2015
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.00 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 45 minutes
Out Burkett Park > Suzanne's Trail > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek Trail > Riverbend Trail > service road (ENE) > Cougar Outlook 4.6 miles
Return Cougar Outlook > Flintstone > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 4.4 miles
Upper 40's, overcast and mild wind.
Basically used the park's west side trails to head North then the east side trails to return (South bound).
Some birds and a couple of white tail deer were all the wildlife I observed during the hike. Not much else to report, the trails were nice and dry plus, there wasn't much trash to pick up.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction (outbound & return).
Shade and info kiosk at Cougar Outlook.
Water and shade at Bell's Point (return).
North Shore Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Outlook
User:
MikeHikes - 1/27/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 6.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Out Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > service road > Scenic Loop > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > Upper Ghost Camp > service road > Cougar Outlook 3.0 miles
Return Cougar Outlook > service Road (West) > Riverbend Trail (North) > Badlands > Big Hill (North) > service road > Rocky Creek > service road > Bell's Trailhead 3.5 miles
Upper 50's to 70 degrees, no wind and sunny.
Nice hike to stretch the legs with my hiking partner. Some prescribed burning completed but no impact on the trails. LOTS of birds out today! This route has NO WATER available - be prepared by bringing your own. Nonetheless, it was a very nice hike.
NOTES
Info kiosk, shade, dry toilets and water for HORSES at Lower Ghost camp.
Info kiosk and shade at Cougar Outlook.
Park Mid-Section Fitness Hike
User:
MikeHikes - 1/25/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 4.90 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Out Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Bell's Point 2.5 miles
Return Bell's Point > service road (West) > Turkey Creek (South) > Armadillo (East) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 2.4 miles
Weather was low 60's, light breeze and sunny. LOTS of people on the trails today!!!
NOTES
Water, info kiosk, shade and dry toilets at Burkett Park.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Park Mid-section Fitness Hike
User:
MikeHikes - 1/18/2015
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.90 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Route Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek (North) > service road (East) > Playground Trail > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 3.9 miles
Just a nice day to hike with friends! Nothing to report.
NOTES
Water, info kiosk, dry toilets, shade at Burkett park
South Shore Playground parking area to 5 Points Junction
User:
MikeHikes - 1/15/2015
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Rating:
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Solitude:
Distance: 12.90 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 40 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Rollercoaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 7.1 miles
Return 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (South) > Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Winding Snake > Chapparal > Playground parking area 5.8 miles
Sunny, temps in the 50's, light North wind. Trails were nice and I was the only person on them for the majority of time. No wildlife observed except for birds.
I came across two ladies who were lost at Burkett Park and was able to set them on the correct trails back to their destination. They had no trail map and just a vague notion of where they were. The state park has made major improvements to their trails in the 15 years I have hiked them but there can always be more especially in trail name markers.
I think it goes without saying to readers of this website, you must be prepared when you hike - whether it is a one mile walk or a multi-mile trek. I always carry plenty of water, some trail food, a few emergency items such as duct tape, parachute cord, knife, whistle, etc. I have experienced being about halfway out on a multi-mile trek when one of my sandals tore - a bit of duct tape held it together until I made it back to the car. Always be prepared!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park (north end of Winding Snake trail).
Water, shade, info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point (near junction of Flintstone and Playground trails).
South Shore Playground parking area to Burkett park
User:
MikeHikes - 1/8/2015
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > connector to Burkett park > Burkett park 3.7 miles
Return Burkett park > Winding Snake >Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.6 miles
Temps in the mid 20's, light wind and partly cloudy/overcast.
Lots of "Firsts" -
1st hike of 2015,
1st log entry for 2015,
1st time wearing my new Hi-Tec hiking boots,
1st time in 2015 I fell on my ass from stepping on slippery mud,
1st time in 2015 we saw two javalinas up close and personal (photo attached),
so I consider this an auspicious start to the new year!
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 to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 12/26/2014
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.40 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Out Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake> connecting trail (West) > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 5.9 miles
Return Burkett Park > connecting trail (West) > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Temps in the 60's, sunny and a light wind. Been fighting a respiratory issue and hadn't hiked in awhile so did it today AND this hike marks my logging over 500 miles this year - next year will be 550 or more miles!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett parking area.
Park Mid-Section Burkett to Cougar Lookout
User:
MikeHikes - 12/17/2014
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.40 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Out Burkett park > Burkett Trail > service road East then NE then East to cattle gate> Old boat ramp to end (right side of road) > follow fence East then North > old boat ramp by Cougar Lookout > Cougar Lookout 3.6 miles
Return Cougar Lookout > Flintstone> Playground > Armadillo > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 4.8 miles
Overcast, low 50's light wind. Wanted to hike along the fence line which goes into the old lake bed. Wandered around for a bit through LOTS of tumbleweeds and high grasses. Got to Cougar Lookout and won't try that route for another year.
Came back along established trails and had a good time all in all. As I hiked, I collected enough trash to completely fill a Walmart bag but the vast majority was older stuff.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Shade and info kiosk available at Cougar Lookout.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points junction (about a mile SW of Cougar Lookout on Flintstone Trail).
Water and shade available at Bell's Point (about a mile SE of 5 Point Junction along Playground Trail).