Park Mid-Section Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook

This rattler was about 4-5 feet long and seemed thick. I counted nine sets of buttons on his tail; they didn't rattle at us so it was a good encounter.

User: MikeHikes - 3/31/2015

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars

Difficulty: 1star

Solitude:

Miles Hiked: 7.80 Miles Elapsed Time: 3 hours, 45 minutes

Comments:

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.

Log Photos

Rattler by the Signpost

Area around San Angelo State Park

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