South Shore Big Figure Eight Route

Out      Playground Parking Lot > Tasajillo Flats Trail > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey Trail > park road to Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > (East) Potts Creek Trail > Armadillo Trail > Playground Trail > Flintstone Trail > Turkey Creek, River Bend and Flintstone Trails Converge       6.3 miles

Return   Turkey Creek Trail > Armadillo Trail > West Potts Creek Trail > Roller Coaster Trail > park road to Burkett Park > Winding Snake Trail > Chaparral Trail > Playground parking Lot     6.0 miles

A perfect day!  Temps in the mid 70's to start, sunny and a fairly consistent west wind, made this a very long but enjoyable hike.  One feature of the San Angelo State Park that I really like - the trails are easy to follow and on this route, all connect with the exception of the area near Burkett Park when you get on an asphalt park road to reach the parking area.

I called this a "figure eight" route because if you follow on the map, the outward and return trips converge at Burkett Park.  This came in handy because Burkett Park has water for humans and horses as well as a trash can where trash found on the trails can be deposited.

Most of the trails are somewhat rocky due to the caliche soil but there are stretches of softer, hard packed soil with few rocks.  Please take a look at my earlier log entries for trail details and/or use Google Earth - you can clearly see the trails and how easy they are to follow.  There aren't many trail signs but if you get a laminated park map at the South Shore gatehouse ($3) or a free paper trail map (not as good but usable), you realize you can't get lost in the park.

NOTES

(1)  An info kiosk and water is available at Burkett Park and at the junction of Turkey Creek, River Bend and Flintstone trails (turn around point).  Dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.

(2)  Please pick up any trash you encounter!!  There is a trash can at Burkett Park as well as at the Playground parking Lot.  I have walked these trails for years and continue to find cans, glass bottles, pieces of broken glass, plastic bottles and GU packets.  I do not understand why some people have no problem whatsoever in leaving their empty food and water containers, and other trash, along the trails. 

BE A RESPONSIBLE PERSON - If you carry it into the park, take it out of the park when you leave.