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 Points Junction    4.2 miles

Leg 2 -  5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction             2.3 Miles

Leg 3 -  5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (S) > Playground bypass > Potts Creek (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park     3.5 miles

Temp started at 75, ended at 91.  Overcast and humid with steady 10-20mph SW winds.

A warm and humid hike along dry trails that are overgrown in numerous places with vegetation hanging over the trail.  Caution is advised due to snakes and other park residents that could be underfoot! 

Today I saw the year's first Grey Fox on West Potts Creek Trail.  I saw him but by the time I had the camera up to take his photo, he was gone.  About two minutes later I saw a very large and regal feral cat (photo attached) resting.  I suspect if the fox saw the cat he would leave it alone, the cat was that large!  Other sightings today were the year's first snake, a non-poisonous one, and both male and female Painted Buntings.

Another cautionary note - along Burkett Trail near the base of Highland Ridge there are two LARGE areas of ground dwelling bees on and very near the trail itself.  I reported this to park personnel but until the bees leave or the park people somehow move them, be very cautious if you take this popular trail.

NOTES -

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

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

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

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