South Shore Playground parking area to 5 Points Junction Figure 8 Loop

Out      Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo (East) > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction    7.3 miles

Return  5 Points Junction > Flintstone (South) > Playground > Armadillo (West) > East Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Tasajilla Flats    7.4 miles

Temps in the low 40's, sunny, strong wind with gusts from the North made the temp feel like 30's.

Due to allergy issues, park closures for hunting and the weather, I hadn't hiked in almost two weeks - this was long overdue!

Very cold with the wind but there were quite a few folks out on the trails - hikers and mountain bikers.  Not much animal activity and the birds were visible but sparse. 

The most surprising thing to me was the fact that bee brush was blooming  (photo attached) and not just in one section of the park but over a large area.  The smell of vanilla was not as strong as it was in the summer but when the wind died down, it was a very pleasant scent!

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park - you'll visit twice if you follow my route.

Water, shade and info kiosk at 5 Points Junction.

Water and shade available at Bell's Point - about 1/2 mile South from the northern end of Playground Trail.