Trailhead to Trailhead Burkett Park to Bell's Trailhead trails only route

Horned Toad on the Trail
This is one of the two horned toads I saw today. A few years back, it was VERY rare to see a toad anytime, I hope they are making a come-back!
User: MikeHikes - 4/8/2015

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 5stars
Difficulty: 1star  Solitude: 4stars
Miles Hiked: 17.30 Miles  Elapsed Time: 7 hours, 20 minutes

Comments:

Out      Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > East Potts Creek > Armadillo > Playground > Flintstone > Javalina > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > service road (N) > Scenic Loop > service road (NE) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead         7.5 miles

Return  Bell's Trailhead > service road (S) > Dinosaur > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur > service road (W for .1 mile) > Badlands > River Bend > Turkey Creek > Armadillo > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park       9.8 miles

Started the hike in the low 70's, overcast, humid and a good west breeze.  Ended in the 80's, overcast, humid and the same wind.

I wanted to hike from trailhead to trailhead using as many trails as possible.  So I went North on the eastern trails and returned on the western trails. 

I saw two horned toads, lots of bird activity and of course, lots of blooming flowers and other plants.  Very noticeable was the scent of vanilla from the "just beginning to bloom" bee brush plants throughout the route.

Although I was able to finish the hike, I wouldn't recommend this route in the Summer when the heat is in the upper 90's and above.

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.

Water and shade available at Bell's Point (near the northern end of Playground Trail).

Water, shade and info kiosk avaiable at 5 Points Junction (about .75 miles north of Bell's Point on Flintstone Trail).  If you follow my route, you will return to 5 Points at the southern end of River Bend Trail. 

I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU HYDRATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THIS IS THE LAST PLACE FOR WATER BOTH HEADING NORTH AND RETURNING SOUTH.

Info kiosk and shade available at Cougar Overlook (at junction of northern end of Flintstone and southern end of Javalina).

Info kiosk, shade and dry toilets available at the Upper Ghost Camp (near the northern end of Lower Ghost Camp Trail).

Water and info kiosk available at Dinosaur Track viewing area.



Log Photos
Horned Toad on the Trail
Area around San Angelo State Park
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