South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8

1st Vermillion Flycatcher of 2017!
Saw him on Tasajilla Flats - his very bright red color caught my eye.
User: MikeHikes - 3/24/2017

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: halfstar  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 10.50 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours, 5 minutes

Comments:

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park        3.6 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Burkett > East Potts Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park    3.6 miles

Leg 3 -  Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area     3.3 miles

Temps start at 60's end in mid-70's, sunny, steady breeze with STRONG gusts.

Dry trails, easy to traverse.  Some portions of Tasajilla Flats have been groomed recently.  The grass continues to grow covering last year's controlled burns and the Bee Brush is finally producing small white flowers and vanilla scent.  The agarita bushes, although a health green, have already lost their blooms so there is no smell from them.

Saw lots of birds including a Vermillion Flycatcher (photo attached) - the first one this year.  I also saw a coyote laying on West Potts Creek trail but when he saw me raise my camera, he was off and running.  A little while later on Winding Snake Trail near Burkett park, I saw a grey fox but when I saw him, he saw me at the same time and bolted into the brush.  Oh well, no photos were taken but seeing them both on the same hike was nice!

Was told the rattlers are out but I didn't see any.  Still, I recommend you always watch where you step as you enjoy the trails.

NOTES

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

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

 



Log Photos
1st Vermillion Flycatcher of 2017!
Area around San Angelo State Park