Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Loop

Leg 1 -  Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Point Junction > River Bend > service road (N) > Cougar Overlook      5.5 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (S) > Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park     4.9 miles

Temp started at 70, ended at 82.  Overcast at first but became sunny and cloudless at Cougar Overlook. Steady 5-10mph NW breeze.

A longer hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Because of the reent humidity in the air, the vegetation is growing and a few of the trails are becoming "shaggy".  Caution is advised due to the potential of stepping on a small reptile or a rattler.  Lizards are out but no snakes so far.  I saw a group of 15-20 javalinas including small ones, on Roller Coaster Trail as well as a few whitetail deer later on. Birds were singing and I'm seeing more Kingbirds than before.  Mockers, various sparrows as well as Turkey Vultures were also spotted.

Wildflowers are more common and I saw Mexican hats, Indian Blankets and other coloful but unknown to me, flowers.  Of note was the first cactus flower of the season (photo attached).  After spotting the first I saw two smaller flowers on a different plant at a different part of the park.  Rain would be welcome but none is in the forseeable future - not good.

Side note - my pair of Teva hiking sandals came apart near Cougar Overlook but held up enough to complete my hike.  This pair lasted for about 2 seasons - maybe 300-400 miles.

NOTES

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

Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.

Water, shade and info kiosk availabe at Bell's Point.