North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook.
San Angelo State Park
- 5/30/2023
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.70 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Badlands> River Bend Trail > service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook 6.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead > Bell's Trailhead 3.5 miles
Temp started at 64, eneded at 82. Sunny with no clouds, steady SSW breeze at 5-10mph.
All trails were dry to slightly damp , easy to see and traverse. Lots of wildflowers out but the cactus flowers are very scattered and scarce. Bee bush is in bloom at spots so the scent of vanilla is easy to detect. After last weeks rain, there were numerous places that, a few weeks ago were bone dry, now held water.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at nearby campsites.
Water, shade and info kiosk are available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and ry toilets availabe at River Bend Campground.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park Storm Shortened Hike
San Angelo State Park
- 5/25/2023
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 2.30 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Route - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Rollercoaster Trail > Old park road (NNE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 2.3 miles
Temp was at 67, heavy overcast, light wind then picked up. Storm coming in from the North.
Trails were dry to slightly damp and easy to traverse. The trails were cleared of topsoil from the rains we had last week which left the trails clearly visible but extremely rocky and in a few spots, somewhat muddy and slick.
I initially planned to hike to Cougar Overlook which would have been about 10 miles round trip but the overcast clouds fairly quickly changed into storm clouds with thunder and lightning while I was on Rollercoaster Trail so I had to shorten my route and return much earlier than expected. On a positive note I saw my first for the year horned lizard as I returned to the trailhead. On the drive home, the skies opened up and heavy, heavy rain fell for quite awhile which would have made the trails untenable if I had stayed, sought shelter and continued to hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Long Loop + Roadrunner
San Angelo State Park
- 5/18/2023
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.40 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats Trail > 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 3.2 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Temp started at 69, ended at 88. Sunny with some clouds, light SSW breeze 0-5mph.
All trails were dry to damp, easy to see and traverse BUT there are a few areas on Winding Snake that could do with a trim.
Numerous Common Nighthawks were out in pairs or groups of four. Other birds were also spotted and I saw a few juveniles as well. Most of the cacti blooms were gone but there are still plenty of thistle and other wildflowers out for the bugs to feast on. Last week I saw two large brown cicadas and this week I found two small (inch long) green cicadas that liked the blue shirt I was wearing. I was able to remove them unharmed and they flew away. I saw more insects and lizards out but the most pleasant surprise was seeing the Hummingbird Moth (photo attached) sipping from the purple thistle.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade are available at various campsites along Roadrunner Loop as well as three toilets and info kiosks at various locations alongside the trail.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Short Route
San Angelo State Park
- 5/12/2023
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > River Bend Trail > service road (ENE) > Cougar Overlook 4.8 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > service road (SSW) > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett park 3.5 miles
Temp started at 76, ended at 88. Humid, overcast then mostly cloudy with light wind and a few gusts.
Trails were dry, easy to see and traverse. There are a few overgrown areas on Playground near the junction with Flintstone but if you move slowly and watch for snakes, there are no issues.
A few javelinas were spotted and a few deer otherwise birds and lizards (photo attached) were the most common creatures sighted. There are still lots of cacti blooming BUT it appears the Lace Cactus have bloomed and are finished for this year. I saw the shriveled stubs of numerous blooms but no blooms themselves. There are also lots of wildflowers in bloom and the Mexican Hats are the most colorful.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and an info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade, and an info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
San Angelo State Park
- 5/4/2023
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > park road (NNE) > Upper Ghost Camp (S) > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook 5.6 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > park service road (NNE) > Lower Ghost Camp > Upper Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > North Slick Rock > Trailhea dto Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.7 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 80. Overcast with peeks of sunlight, not much wind and not constant. A few raindrops fell but no real rain.
All trails were dry, easy to see and traverse - there were a few spots with vegetation overgrown but not severely so.
Saw the first fox for the year (photo attached) as well as the first snake for the year (a Ring collared Snake). Many cacti have bloosoms and there are still quite a few wildflowers in bloom as well. Birds were out singing but not too many were seen. Overall, it was a peaceful, relaxing hike.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at nearby campsites.
Water, shade and an info kiosk are available at the DInosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.