CCC (Triassic) Trail a Good Warm Up
Palo Duro - CCC Trail
- 2/18/2012
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
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Hiked this with our Scout troop. It is essentially three miles from the parking lot on the ridge to the parking lot at the ampitheater. This direction it is mostly downhill and drops roughly 600 vertical feet over 1.5 miles. The return to the rim parking lot is a decent climb with several switch backs. If you are not in shape plan on the ascent taking a bit longer than normal. We were there in winter and the bathrooms at the ampitheater were closed, so we had to pack in water for the trek. Make sure you hit the restroom before you head out because there are none along the way except for at the ridge parking lot. This is a great morning trail to take if you are camping in the canyon and want to a good warm up for your day. Not sure any other trail in the park covers as much vertical feet in such short a distance.
Nice day hike
Ray Roberts Greenbelt Corridor
- 10/22/2011
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Distance: 11.00 Miles
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Went with a group of scouts for a day hike. Parked in the lot near the dam and walked to 428, had lunch and came back. The "improved" trail on the west side of the creek is fairly nice. It is mostly packed gravel and dirt but does have concrete in some sections. There are a few shade spots near the creek as you head south within 1.6 miles of the dam. The best place is by the Bonnie & Clyde Bridge. After that, there is little shade right on the trail until you reach 428. There are a few picnic tables at the 428 rest area, along with a bathroom and potable water from the water fountains. Along the trail there is no potable water at all, so pack what you need to get to 428. Cell service is pretty good along the trail.
NOTE: The native trail on the east side of the creek is undergoing rennovation from errosion at the time of this post. Our crew went .5 miles or so down the trail on that side before we found out it was closed; hence the 11 miles trekked.
Good Short Hike
Jordan Park Trail
- 10/21/2011
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Distance: 4.50 Miles
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Did an evening hike with some older scouts. We departed around 5:30pm and made it to the Lantana Lodge just before 7pm. The trail is fairly wide for most of the way and in decent condition. The lack of rain has lead to some erosion in places. Hikers must yield to horses so be on the look out. Lots of wild life. Saw armadillo and a few copperheads. A good short hike for scouts who are looking to build their endurance.
A Must See in Texas!!
Palo Duro - Lighthouse Trail
- 1/16/2011
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Distance: 6.00 Miles
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Did this with a scout troop on a very cold weekend. The hike is one of the most scenic in Texas. The hike is pretty easy EXCEPT for that last climb to get to the bLighthouse trail. That is a VERY steep climb on very loose dirt. Not for hikers carrying more than 20 lbs. If you have backcountry packs you want to drop them and make the climb. Day packs are fine for the climb. Make time to spend some time at the top though. The view is AWESOME!!!!
Park Hike is Nice...
Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway
- 11/13/2010
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Distance: 7.00 Miles
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The hike through the northwest end of the park is nice and secluded. After you hike past the firing range to the west, the back end of the park is very nice. We stayed on the trail which headed north, then east and then back south along the western edge of the lake. At the extreme southern end of the lake the trail rises 300 vertical feet in the space of 200 yards. Climbing the switchbacks is fun and a bit challenging. If you don't get to the western parking lot early in the day then the horse trailers can take up a lot of space and you have no where to park. No water in the back part of the park, so bring water with you.