North Shore Park Extension Hike

The portion of the park I hiked today is on the western side of FM2288 across from the North Shore park entrance.  This trail does not have a name - rather, it is a hike along an old service road which is best seen using Google Earth.

The hike was a VERY enjoyable one today with warm temps, a light breeze and new terrain to see!!  This portion of the park is know as one of the locations where the longhorns roam and for hunting. 

The route is fairly easy to follow - you follow an old dirt, service road that runs alongside the North Concho River as you head West, the road ends and you can either retrace your original route or wander around a bit on the numerous cattle paths.  I crossed the dry riverbed where the large power stanchions are and wandered back to the North Shore check in station along another dirt service road.

Lots of bird activity today - ducks, hawks, Mississippi Kites, orioles, canyon towhees and others.  Lizards were numerous as well, some of them quite large.  Longhorns grazed and watched as we trudged along enjoying the quiet solitude of the hike.

NOTES

Water, info kiosk and toilets are available at the North Shore check in station where I parked.

VERY, VERY, VERY IMPORTANT - if you decide to hike this route you MUST talk to the personnel at the South Shore check in station.  Hunting goes on for various types of game to include doves, javalinas, turkey and deer.  Because this area is rarely used by hikers (to the best of my knowledge no bikers or equestrians are allowed in this part of the park) the game is more numerous than the other sections and is quite popular with hunters.