Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > (East) Potts Creek > Armadillo (E) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 3.5 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > River Bend (N) > service road (E) > Cougar Lookout > Flintstone (S) > 5 Points Junction 2.6 miles
Leg 3 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Armadillo (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 4.3 miles
Temp started at 68, ended at 83. Sunny, with a light breeze which gradually became a steady breeze about half way through the hike.
Flowers were everywhere! Yellow, red, blue, purple, white - it didn't matter, they were all in abundance. The bee brush is blooming and a few cactus flowers are beginning to open. Unfortunately, I missed the Lace Cactus bloom and only saw the withered flowers.
The trails for the most part, have been groomed and are in very good repair but there are a few notable exceptions - specifically, Armadillo Trail heading East/North as well as part of the Playground Trail. Armadillo, in particular, has vegetation completely covering the trail so it was a matter of being very careful where I placed my feet - no desire to step on any of the park residents, whether poisonous or not! The same can be said for some of the portions of Playground Trail located between the junction of Armadillo and Playground and South of Bell's Point. It looks like park personnel will have to use hand held weed whackers to clear the brush.
I saw numerous birds, a few lizards and some of the park's longhorns. I'll say it again - the longhorns will leave you alone if you leave them alone ESPECIALLY if there are calves around (like there were today). Although I've seen no snakes so far this year, I found the remains of two snakes - both long dead and in the process of being consumed by insects; surprising to me, a large group of small butterflies were feasting on the remains of a 3-4 ft long coachwhip that was partly opened. These same small butterflies are seen on piles of dung - seems Nature lets nothing go to waste.
This hike bumps me up on the Texas Hiking website roster for miles hiked from #3 to #2 - give me a few years and I may surpass #1. I didn't realize until a few minutes ago, I was already #2 in miles hiked on the national Hiking Trailhead website.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. This will be the last time I mention this - the water at Burkett looks "chalky" but its safe to drink - I've suffered no ill effects after consuming it on my last few hikes.
Water and shade available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Lookout.
