TPWD

Hikes 9, 10, and 11

I don’t need to explain the global pandemic going on right now - right? Everything - parks, businesses, local trails, schools, etc - have been closed for weeks. Texas decided to slowly allow visitors back in the state parks for day use, at a rate of 25% capacity. It was easy to reserve online, and I saw very few people actually on the trails. Beaches, picnic areas, and parking lots were filled with people not giving a crap about social distancing or small teams. ANYWAY… I enjoyed some new-to-me state parks, quiet trails, and super green forests.

Hike 9: Atlanta State Park

Trail: Hickory Hollow, White Oak Ridge

Date: Saturday, May 9

Distance: 2.89 miles

Distance From Home: 193 miles

Weather: Sunny, warm

Trail Notes: Lush, green, and shaded

This park is a little gem on the northeast corner of the state that I can’t wait to revisit. The trails were dirt, with some roots, and not many rocks - which is a nice change in Texas. Big trees of pine and oak tower over, casting shade and allow for fern and moss to grow below making this place feel a little more “up north” than other Texas State Parks. If you’ve ever been to Tyler State Park, or any of the other ones on the east side, you’ll find it to be similar. I can’t wait for cooler weather so I can bring the tent and hide out for the weekend.

Hike 10: Daingerfield State Park

Trail: Rustling Leaves

Date: Saturday, May 9

Distance: 2.66 miles

Distance From Home: 159 miles

Weather: Sunny, warm

Trail Notes: Gorgeous trail around the lake, wooded/shaded, and fun lake views

Daingerfield is another smaller park packed with gorgeous trees, lake views, and just enough trail distance to get away from the potential crowds. We enjoyed a walk around the lake, which was shaded and very green. The place smelled of pine and that breeze off a lake you sometimes get. This is another park I can’t wait to revisit, and camp a few nights in the fall to see the colors in the trees.

Hike 11: Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

Trail: Dogwood, Homestead

Date: Saturday, May 9

Distance: 4 miles

Distance From Home: 135 miles

Weather: Sunny, warm

Trail Notes: Another fun lake with wooded trails and space to spread out

Our third stop of the day was this little gem, a little closer to home, but still far enough east to have nice pines and lush greenery. This park had more towering trees providing much needed shade as the day warmed up and trails with very few people on them thanks to restricted access. On the Homestead trail, look out for an old grave site - pretty cool! Enjoy the shade or the lake and have a good time at this one.

#HIKE4 - Bonham State Park

HIKE 4 - Bonham State Park

Trail: Bois d’Arc, Lake Loop

Date: Saturday, 01/25/2020

Distance: 2 miles

Distance From Home: 82 miles

Weather: Warm, sunny, slight wind

Trail Notes: Trail markings very complicated

I was on a mission to check off a couple of state parks the weekend of January 25th and this one happened to be on the scenic way home from another one. The sky was mostly gray, with patches of blue and sun, but I wasn’t going to let that bother me. Initially, the sign at the gate said the trails were closed. I figured, I was already hear, so I might as well see if there was a paved path so I could check it off my quest list. The ranger at the front desk told me the trails were closed to mountain bikes, but not feet, so we set out looking for a path through the woods.

Chewy the dog and I started out on the Bois D’Arc trail, but quickly became confused because the signage was all for the mountain bikes and not really at all for hikers. I made my way though the woods and did see the two CCC gathering areas, but not much else. We ended up back on the road and made the executive decision to walk the Lake Loop path. The path wound through the trees and vines and had one lake view and a bridge of a swamp. It was a lovely trail that went around the lake, on and off, with the help of the main road. Two miles was all I could muster, so we headed back to the car and made our way home. The park is fine, the campground is ok, and the terrain is typical. If I lived nearby, I’d surly visit this place often, but it’s 80+ miles away and not worth the drive when Dinosaur Valley is the same distance and much more interesting.

If you’re in the area, check it out, if not, maybe just check it out anyway - all of the state parks are worth seeing at least once. Happy trails!

#HIKE3 - Cooper Lake State Park

HIKE 3 - Cooper Lake State Park - Doctor’s Creek Unit

Trail: Cedar Creek Trails (East, West, North, and South)

Date: Saturday, 01/25/2020

Distance: 3 miles

Distance From Home: 106 miles

Weather: Warm, sunny, slight wind

Trail Notes: Very wet and muddy this time of year

I had a Saturday with nothing planned so I thought it would be a perfect day to catch up on hikes in number and also knock off a few state parks on my Texas State Park Quest. It was a perfect morning, cool and sunny, with no scheduled precipitation. I had a late start, but still arrived at the virtually empty park around 11am. I had scoped out the trails online before, so I knew where I wanted to park and where the restrooms were along the way. I like to plan ahead, especially if I’m driving almost two hours to go somewhere.

The trails were really one trail with directional branches to help with organization. The markings were easy to follow and see, and there was little to no confusion. This trail was on Google Maps, the Hiking Project by REI, and the state park map for easy navigation.

It was a wet and muddy day, with most of the trail being quite moist. Winter in Texas is like Spring in Michigan which is okay by me. Chewy the Dog and I splashed through puddles, most only being as deep as my shoe, without a care in the world. The park was quiet, the wind was minimal, and the smells were earthy and fresh. The Cedar Creek Trail may be one of my favorite in a pretty standard state park. Visitors will wander through the forest, prairie openings, and back through the forest. There will be a few views of the lake and even better views of the sky above the trees.

Plan ahead, prepare for wet or muddy feet, and remember to stop and take it all in every now and then.

#hike18 - Colorado Bend State Park

"A must see for Texas State Parks - I will return!"

Date: May 19, 2018

Location: Colorado Bend State Park - Bend, TX

Distance: 6.6

Trails: Tie Slide, Gorman Falls, Spicewood Springs (partial)

I had plans to go to Tyler State Park early Saturday morning, but my friend reached out and said her and her family were going to Colorado Bend State Park and that was more appealing because I had always wanted to go there!  So, I got up and got ready for a 3am departure, leaving at 3:30 because it's me, and arrived to the park just as the sun was coming up.  The parking lot was mostly empty, and the trail was ours.  We started our hike as the sun was peeking over the ridge and it made for an excellent introduction to Colorado Bend.

We took the Tie Slide trail to the Colorado River overlook and the views did not disappoint.  The trail was rocky but the views of the river make up for any hardships encountered by the group.

From there we made plans to head to Gorman Falls, the legendary falls within the park as springs cascade down a rock wall into the Colorado.  The hike was pretty mild until the falls and then it's a steep descent down the rocks (with some handrails to help) to the falls viewing area.

Going down these rocks was a bit slick, from daily use, but the ropes were sturdy and offered a solid point of contact.  I found the climb back to the trail much easier than going down, but I always prefer uphill vs. downhill hiking because I feel more accomplished at the top.  Anyway, it was a fun little stretch to get to the magical and lush Gorman Falls.

The falls start at the top from a spring and trickle down a rock face that is constantly changing shape.  The rock face is covered in moss, ferns and other vegetation.  The view of the waterfall can be somewhat obstructed by the trees growing, so the photos don't do this place any justice.  If you have the means and ability, visit in person and you will not be disappointed.  It's a real treat.

There is a main viewing deck and you can get a glimpse of the falls from the trail on the way down and that's where I chose to take photos.  There are signs saying it's a sensitive ecosystem, designed to keep people out of the water and from disturbing the falls.  I don't care enough about pictures, as it is burned in my memory, so I respected the signs and you should too by staying in designated areas.

From the falls, back to the parking lot, we were surrounded by meadows of wildflowers at every turn.  The cactus flowers were blooming and the bees were buzzing everywhere - busy at work!  What a great day to be alive in Colorado Bend State Park.

I have plans to return, either early in the morning again or this fall/winter season.  I want to hike every trail here, as they all looked like they offered great views and fun challenges.

As always, happy trails and enjoy a few more photos - wildflowers and part of our hiking group.

Me, my friend Amanda, and her niece's friend.

#hike2 - Tyler State Park

I'm experimenting with a post-hike video to kind of summarize the experience. We'll see how this evolves. Enjoy the first installment.

Date: January 13, 2018

Location: Tyler State Park - Tyler, TX

Distance: 8.41 miles

Trails: B, C, and D Loops

This morning was not agreeing with me, and I'm a morning person, but I finally hit the road about 8AM and made it to the park about 10AM.  I parked in the lot where the mountain bikers park, loaded up, and headed out.  To get to Loop B, you start on Loop A which is the designated mountain bike track.  I started down the trails on the east side, which weaves through the woods and takes you back towards the north end of the park.

Loop B felt like the longest trail, it probably was, with Loop C being the shortest.  Loop D was the most interesting as far as terrain, and was somewhere around 2.1 miles.  Loop C had a few issues with trail marking, so I did a little backtracking but eventually made it to the right path.  All paths went through the woods which consisted of mostly pine and oak and weaved through ravines.  There were several creek crossings, all with footbridges or something man-made to assist.

Tyler State Park Tidbits:

  • There are a lot of trails to take on and they're all pretty well marked with Loop C being the only area I had a little difficulty finding any marking or beaten down path
  • The trails I did are for hiking and biking and offer plenty of space to get out of the way of one another.
  • I went on a Saturday morning and I was surprised it wasn't very busy - could have been the colder weather?
  • The pines are gorgeous and regal blanketing the trails helping you stay quieter to take it all in even more.

Walking through the pines made me feel like I was in Michigan.  I found myself stopping, looking up while listening to the wind through the needles the way I would near Lake Huron or Lake Michigan.  The woods was very quiet, with few people and outside noises, making it an ideal hike for pondering things.  If it weren't for the yucca (or whatever it is) that grows in the sunlight, I would have never known I was still in Texas.  Enjoy a few photos from the hike and happy hiking to you!

 

#hike1 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Date: January 6, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park - Glen Rose, TX

Distance: 9.55 miles

Trails: Cedar Brake Outer Loop, Paluxy River

I arrived at the park early, before the staff arrived, and checked in.  I left home in shorts, because it was nearly 40 degrees at home, but it was only 25 at the park so I had to change into the pants I brought along.  I was the only car in the parking lot upon arrive, and was one of ten when I left.  The crowds for this park don't usually show up until about 8-9 am, making early morning hikes fairly quiet and peaceful.  I made it 7.5 miles in before seeing anyone, but then it was more people than I could count.  For the first hike of the year, I wanted to "go big" with a longer hike.  I visited this park four times last year and did the same few trails each visit so this hike was also about exploring a part of the park I hadn't hiked in 2017.  Seeing new-to-me trails and the furthest corners of the park boundaries satisfied the need for a little adventure within.

I spent the majority of this hike reflecting on the hikes of 2017 and warming my hands.  Like an idiot, I didn't really plan well for the temperatures, despite my constant preaching of preparedness.  Halfway through the hike, I remembered having gloves in my pack and that was a great relief.  As I warmed my hands, I pondered what worked well last year and what I need to adjust to make the 2018 hikes even better.  Dinosaur Valley is becoming my new go-to park simply because I love the terrain and proximity to my family's home - can accomplish a visit and get a hike in.  All in all, it was a challenging and robust start to my hikes for 2018.

Dinosaur Valley State Park Tidbits:

  • almost all trails require crossing the Paluxy River - always check trail conditions on the park's Facebook page before heading out
  • the park has varied terrain - be sure to check out the trail map for more information
  • many trails are shaded, thought plenty have sunny portions so always bring enough water and wear sun protection
  • tourist attractions such as dinosaur track viewing areas and other dinosaur related businesses outside park boundaries exist for family fun before or after your hike
  • crowds are limited in cooler months, and earlier in the morning - I always try to get there around 7 am to enjoy some solitude

Here are some photos from the hike, enjoy and happy hiking!

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