South Shore Playground to Burkett Park

Out     Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparrel > Winding Snake > Burkett Park     3.1 miles

Return  Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area    3.0 miles

This hike takes you from the South Shore Playground parking area along the eastern edge of the park before returning through the middle of the park's southern section. 

Enter the park through the South Shore Gatehouse and drive to the Playground Parking Area where you will see the signpost for the Chaparral Trail.  Take the trail and when you cross a paved road, you'll see a signpost for Red Dam Loop which you will take.  This loop will take you up along the Red Dam which, I have been told, was a good place to fish when there was abundant water in the now dried lake.

Red Dam will end at Chaparral on the other side of the now dry inlet.  Turn right and follow Chaparral through the Isabel Harte area until the trail ends at a paved road.  Across the road, is a gravel road which you take and it will connect you to the Winding Snake Trail. 

Winding Snake is an easy to hike trail with only a few small inclines to traverse.  A pond is some distance down the trail and you may see some bird and wildlife using the water.  Continue on Winding Snake until it ends at Burkett Park which has dry toilets, an info kiosk and water for humans and horses.

Departing Burkett Park, you take the paved road West (up hill) and look for the Lanky Lackey signpost on the left side of the road.  Lanky Lackey is pretty rocky but definitely hike-able.  You will stay on the trail to the end which is at a paved road near the entrance to Isabel Harte.

Across the road, you will see the signpost for Nature Loop Trail which you take.  Follow Nature Loop all the way to the end - when you are on the long, straight portion of Nature Loop, you are heading South and will see a signpost for Tasajilla Flats Trail on your right - DO NOT TAKE IT.  Continue straight and the Nature Loop Trail will end at a gravel road.  Across this road is the signpost for Horny Toad Trail. 

Horny Toad will have you climb, via switchback, a small hill.  When you get to the top, you will walk along the plateau for a bit heading West.  The trail will curve to the South and you'll see a signpost for Talley Valley Trail - DO NOT TAKE IT - continue on Horny Toad.  Horny Toad will end at a junction of Tasajilla Flats and you will turn left (East).  Follow the trail all the way back to the Playground parking area.