South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park and back + Roadrunner Loop

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park       3.9 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area     3.4 miles

Leg 3 -  Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area     3.0 miles

Temp started at 70, ended at 78. Overcast until last 1/2 mile then sunny.  Light and steady Southerly breeze at 5mph.

A very nice hike today!  Trails were dry, easy to see and traverse although there were some portions of Tasajilla Flats, Lanky Lackey and Winding Snake that are getting quite a bit of vegetation on them so caution is advised due to snakes.  No rattlers spotted but I did see my first Texas Long-nosed Snake (photo attached) on Roadrunner Loop.  Prickly Pear cactus blooms and all kinds of wildflowers are VERY plentiful but I didn't see any Lace Cactus flowers this time.

Quite a few birds out singing and flying about. Scissortails, hawks, nighthawks, sparrows, etc.  Animals were also diverse seeing Jack Rabbits, Cottontail Rabbits, deer and a lone Turkey hen.  Non-mammals were the snake, lizards and a large (12 inch or more wide and heavy) tortise sitting in the middle of a trail until I picked him up and moved him into the grassy area.

Overall, it was one of the better hikes I've had in quite awhile!

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground parking area.

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

Water and shade available along Roadrunner at the nearby campsites.  Toilets also available at a few locations.