state park

Jan-Feb 2021 Hikes

Here’s a brief write-up of the hikes I’ve taken through February of this year.
Thanks for following along.

Hike 1 - Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

  • Hiked 3.15 miles with my Eric, Brian, and Jen

  • West Mountain Trail, Mountain Top

  • It was rainy, gray, and cool and we brought the dogs

  • This was my first visit to Hot Springs

  • 0 lbs of trash recovered (very clean)

Hike 2 - Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)

  • Hike 5.25 miles with my Brian

  • Sunset Trail - it was gray and cool and it snowed

  • We took the the big dogs with us

  • 0 lbs of trash recovered (very clean)

Hike 3 - White Sands National Park (New Mexico)

  • Hiked 3.25 miles with Mike and Cora (and their doggo)

  • It was bright and sunny, but not hot

  • The sand dunes were cool and the illusion of being lost is real

  • Take plenty of water!

  • 0 lbs of trash recovered (very clean)

Hike 4 - Huntsville State Park (Texas)

  • Hiked 7.13 miles on the Chinquapin Trail (solo, no dog)

  • It was sunny and warm with a good amount of people

  • The wind through the pines was magical and made me feel truly escaped

  • 0.5 lbs of trash recovered (not a whole lot, mostly wrappers/toilet paper)

Hike 5 - Lake Mineral Wells State Park (Texas)

  • Hiked 5.24 miles with my aunt on the state trailway system towards Mineral Wells, TX

  • There was so much trash, I couldnt’ even get it all. This path follows the highway and it’s just not great.

  • Very noisy and it was borderline rainy

  • 0.5 lbs of trash recovered (so much more, would require more bags and parking closer)

Hike 27 - Lake Brownwood State Park

September 13, 2020

I set out on my quest to see all of the State Parks in Texas and knocked another one off the list. I hiked the Texas Oak, Nopales Ridge, and Council Bluff trails. It was a gorgeous morning, in the 60s, and sunny. The hikes started out good, but the Texas Oak trail was a little hard to follow at one point. The Nopales Ridge trail was sunny, but mostly boring. I spruced up my day with a trail beer I had stashed in my pack and enjoyed the final mile or two. My hike was about 5.5 miles, and that was most of the trails available in the park. It was a pleasant lake park, like the rest, with some shade but not much. Enjoy some photos!

Hikes 25-26 (State Parks)

Figured labor day weekend was a good time to take advantage of some day hikes at state parks a little further away from the DFW metro area that I needed to tick off. One location, Copper Breaks State Park, lived up to the expectations I had with amazing scenery and fun hikes. The other, Lake Arrowhead State Park, didn’t leave much of an impression on me. It’s fine for boating or locals to camp, but it certainly isn’t a destination park in my mind.

#hike25 - Copper Breaks State Park

Trails Hiked: Juniper Ridge, Rocky Ledge, Bull Canyon

Total Mileage: 8

Highlights: Gorgeous views, fun hikes, red rock scenery, interesting landscapes

For sure do the Rocky Ledge Loop while at Copper Breaks - you will not regret it!

#hike26 - Lake Arrowhead State Park

Trails Hiked: Onion Creek, Mesquite Ridge

Total Mileage: 2.67

Highlights: Great flowers, cool tunnel

Hikes 12-20 (I'm bad at this)

I’ve hiked 20 times in 2020… woah, that’s cool? The hikes have been documented on socials, but not here. I’m going to keep it brief, but share some of my favorite photos. I’m not quite on track for 2020, but I feel like I’ll still make my mark if I keep exploring the rest of the year. I hope you’re able to get out - in some way or another - during this weird and wild year. Happy hiking!

Hike 12: Possum Kingdom State Park, 2.14 miles, sunny and okay

The trails were short, but offered great views. It’s a great little park for camping, but will not as a hiking destination.

Hike 13: Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site & Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway, 12.1 miles, sunny and hot

There is a historical fort, a long path from one section of the park to the other, and a lake with a breeze eventually. There isn’t much for shade, but the trail was nice.

Hike 14: Caddo Lake State Park, 2.05 miles, gorgeous trees and bayou

If you enjoy a bayou with cypress trees and a shaded trail through big trees, this place is for you! The trails were short, but went through the gorgeous forest.

Hike 15: Martin Creek Lake State Park, 4.2 miles, sunny and breezy

Family friendly is the best way to describe this place. The trails are fun, with plenty of shade and some good views of the lake. The trails go through the woods and wind throughout the park.

Hike 16: Lincoln National Forest, 4.7 miles, sunny with views of the weather moving in

Hiked a forest service trail up a hill, about 1000 feet with some friends. This area has plenty of places to explore and many rocks to be discovered.

Hike 17: Cleburne State Park, 3.86 miles, hot and sunny

I went with some friends for a hike and a swim. We did some trails that I’ve done before, and had some great views along the spillway.

Hike 18 : Mother Neff State Park, 2.9 miles, hot and steamy

Mini cave, CCC towers, and other foresty features are highlights along this trail. Be sure to go up the lookout tower and get a view of the treetops?

Hike 19: Meridian State Park, 2.87 miles, hot and steamy

The trails around the lake and through the forest have a lot to offer as far as views and shaded walking. They are well marked and have great places for little picnics. Watch out for spiders!

Hike 20: Lake Whitney State Park, 2.2 miles, HOT and sunny

These trails, the only two in the park, are kind of like Possum Kingdom… people don’t go here for the trails. One is through the woods, ish, and the other is in the wide open. The Towash Forest trail does lead to a semi-private beach area that looked far enough removed for more relaxed swimming.

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.

March Hikes with Mike - 7 and 8

In March, I hiked twice. I graced Cibola National Forest and Dinosaur Valley State Park with my presence and had nice little hikes in each. Check it out.

Hike 7 - Dinosaur Valley State Park - Texas

Trail: Cedar Brake Outer Loop, Rocky Ridge, Black Capped Vireo

Date: Sunday, March 7th

Distance: 6.2 miles

Distance From Home: 75 miles

Weather: Partly Sunny, Windy

Trail Notes: Was a nice day, water was a little high

I needed a good hike and figured it was time to hit the old standby. Dinosaur Valley is always a go-to for a good hike close to the DFW metro area. With me on the journey was Chew the dog, my other half, and my best friend. We did several trails and weaved our way through, avoiding any major crowds which were mostly near the river.

Hike 8 - Tunnel Canyon - New Mexico

Trail: Birdhouse Ridge

Date: Saturday, March 14

Distance: 2.31 miles

Distance From Home: 614 miles

Weather: Sunny, cool

Trail Notes: This was at sundown

A nice little trail system in the Cibola National Forest outside of Albuquerque, NM. I didn’t have a lot of time before dark, and I was on a conference call, so I only did about two miles. I followed the ridge, and if time had permitted, I could have looped back in the canyon. I can’t wait to get back out there to finish this loop and explore other trails in the area.

#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 - Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

HIKE 18

Date: Sunday, July 28, 2019

Location: Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway - Mineral Wells, TX

Distance: 4.21 miles

Trails: Cross Timbers Green and Black

Miles from Home: 62.9

Weather: Hot, Sunny, Humid, Breezy

Lake Mineral Wells is an old standby for me, but I hadn’t visited yet this year. My friend Nikki, her daughter, and her father joined me on this hike and it was just a wonderful little Sunday morning. We set out at 8AM in hopes to avoid some of the heat coming by noon and successfully finished without perishing.

These two particular Cross Timbers trails are open to hiking, horses, and biking. We saw a few horses on our way out, but only encountered a few hikers overall. Most of these trails are in the open, so we didn’t have much for shade but did find solace from the sun occasionally. Nikki was commenting on how grown up the trees and bushes/grasses were compared to the last time she was there, which is true. It’s crazy what a good couple of rainy seasons will do!

If you’re looking for some trails suitable for the entire family, with options for a little more adventure, this is the place to go. Grab the kids, grab some friends/family, and get on out. Go early, avoid the heat, or go late. Either way, get out and enjoy.

#hike17 - Eisenhower State Park

HIKE 17

Date: Saturday, July 27, 2019

Location: Eisenhower State Park - Denison, TX

Distance: 5..12 miles

Trails: Ike’s Hike & Bike Trail

Miles from Home: 86

Weather: Hot, Sunny, Humid, Breezy

In my Quest to visit all of the state parks in Texas, I made it a point to drive up to this park on the Texas-Oklahoma border. This park is only about an hour and fifteen away from my place and it proved to be well worth the drive. The park was typical of many North Texas state parks - similar rocky terrain, similar lake views, and similar vegetation. The stand out for me, though, were the cliffs along the shoreline.

I hiked the Ike’s Hike & Bike trail which weaves through the park and takes hikers along the lake and into the woods. The trail was well-maintained, but seemingly unused for the day as there were plenty of spider webs. The trail was mostly shaded, which was helpful, and offered plenty of moments with a nice breeze from the lake. The hills were rolling and the terrain was mostly gentle.

All in all, it was a nice little evening hike along the lake - a nice break from the city. The park is located on the south side of Lake Texoma, which is quite busy in the summer months. Getting to the park is EASY, and a quick drive for everyone located in the north suburbs of DFW metro. Go check it out sometime!

#hike31 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Date: November 17, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park

Distance:  4 Miles

Trails: Equestrian Trails

This is only a week late… or more.

My aunt and I did another few miles at Dino Valley. We were, again, restricted to trails on the main side of the river so we did the equestrian trail that goes up in to the hillside and through a field. It was pleasant and not busy at all. We made our way along the river, through the campground, and back to the car.

#hike30 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Date: November 10, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park

Distance:  3 miles

Trails: Paluxy River

My aunt and I were restricted to the trails on the main side, as the majority of the trails across the river were closed. We made the best of it, hiking along the river on the main side enjoying little viewpoints and a mix of trails/paved paths. Our hikes together often include our chats which are usually hilarious for us. The leaves had some color, the trees sky was overcast, and the air was crisp and cold. It wasn’t the longest hike, but it was fulfilling and nice to get out again. I’m a little behind with this year, but I will see it through the best I can!

#hike24 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Date: July 22, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park - Glen Rose, TX

Distance: 4.3 miles

Trails: Cedar Brake Outer Loop (partial), Cedar Ridge

See the trail map HERE

Today's hike at Dinosaur Valley did not include wet feet, cool temps, or many interactions with people.  The hike did include nice breezes, solitude, and plenty of sunshine.  I had a late start this morning, due to staying up way too late, and I was ready to call the whole thing off.  Then, I saw some inspiring words on social media, went for it.  It was 7:45 am when I left the house, arriving at the park around 8:30.  The temps were just below 90 at this point, but still tolerable with the breeze and shade.  As I made my way through my familiar trail, it started to warm up and the flies became more aggressive.  By the time I was done, the temp had climbed to nearly 100.

This week I braved the temperature, embraced the sweat, and said screw the bad vibes.  I often get in my own way, mentally speaking, about going out for a hike in the summer.  It is hot, it is buggy, it is dry, and it is excessively sunny.  Today proved that I can survive and adapt, quite easily actually, so it is as if I cleared this road block for future hikes this summer.  No more excuses!  Sweat wicking shirts, hats, ice cubes in my CamelBak, sunscreen, and bug spray are all I need.

I’m looking forward to next week’s hike, wherever it may be.  We are throwing around the idea of going to New Mexico, but the forecast is currently rainy.  If you have a suggestion that’s within 10 hours of Dallas/Fort Worth, hit me up!  Happy trails!

#hike23 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Crossing the Paluxy River to start our hike.

Date: July 14, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park - Glen Rose, TX

Distance: 5 miles

Trails: Cedar Brake Outer Loop (partial), Denio Creek Warbler Trail. Paluxy River Trail

See the trail map HERE

We started early, my aunt and I, and got to the park about 7:00 A.M.  We registered, parked, and started our hike in 79 degree weather with about 79% humidity.  At Dinosaur Valley State Park you have to cross the river to get to the good trails, but the Paluxy was only a trickle so we didn't have to get wet this time.

I like hikes with my aunt, or other close friends/family, because you can have those good talks that I'd classify as quality time.  We talked, bitched about things, laughed, and overall had a very positive ongoing conversation about life.

The sun climbed higher in the sky, and we started to feel the heat increase while simultaneously feeling perfectly acclimated to the temperature.  About halfway through the hike, we encountered some bugs and that was mildly annoying, but no other real issues.  I have one horse fly bite, that I didn't even notice until today.

We finished up after five miles, before the real heat hit with a slightly lower humidity, and made our way back to the parking area.  We avoided most direct sunlight by picking trails that were shaded by the ridges and scrubby trees thus avoiding excessive exposure.  We saw one woman on a mountain bike, but really no one else dared to be out there with us that we could see or hear.  Once we arrived back to the parking lot, there were a few more cars, but nowhere near the normal packed lot I'm used to seeing.

Summer hiking, in Texas, is not my favorite and I'm at least a month behind on my quest to hike 52 times in the year with one per week....but I'm not worried.   Once the fall hits, I'll have no excuse to hike twice per weekend and maybe even twice per day!  I'm longing for the cooler mornings and evenings ahead.  Until next time, happy trails!

#hike20 - Tahquamenon Falls State Park

View from the paved path to the viewing deck

Date: June 14, 2018

Location: Tahquamenon Falls State Park - Paradise, MI

Distance: 4.3 miles

Trails: River Trail

Tahquamenon (like phenomenon) Falls is located in the Eastern portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula and one of the most beautiful places in the state.  It is known to attract plenty of tourists, but we went early enough to avoid them!  My other half, my mom's other half, and I took off around 6 am and made the 2.5 hour drive up to the state park.  The mosquitoes were immediately thick and it was not looking good from an enjoyment perspective, but we had bug spray and hoped for the best.

We set out on the paved portion and made our way to the viewing area at the Upper Falls.  There are 96 steps down to the viewing platform, all worth it.  Between the car and the falls, a bird pooped on me, or I put my hand in bird poop on a railing, or some other situation in which my hand/arm came in contact with bird poop, so that was a good time and made everyone laugh and distracted from the mosquitoes everywhere for a second.

View of the Upper Falls and river from the viewing platform.

Back up the 96 steps we went and headed towards the dirt path that led to the Lower Falls.  It started up on a ridge, with the river below and the trees thick.  We met one family along the way, and they didn't really seem to be bothered by the mosquitoes.  The bugs didn't start out too bad on the upper part of the trail, but the second we descended to the river level, we were eaten alive.  In my 33 years on this Earth, I have never experienced mosquitoes THIS bad.  We probably made it a third of the way to the Lower Falls and decided to turn around because it just wasn't enjoyable.  I was a little disappointed, but ultimately wasn't enjoying the hike enough to continue.  My goal of 10 miles was missed and I settled on 4, but distance isn't always everything.  In just 4 miles, in and out, I saw plenty of nature's splendor to be satisfied.  We had some laughs and I'd definitely return during the fall or winter to do the path.

This hike revitalized my desire to be outside, invigorated my senses, and reminded me that it's not about the distance but overall enjoyment.  I've scheduled a bunch of hikes in my calendar for upcoming weekends to keep me motivated.  If anyone is interested in tagging along, feel free to contact me!  Happy trails.

An Iris and a view of the Tahquamenon River

#hike19 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

"The old standby, always there for me when I need a good hike!"

Date: May 27, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park - Glen Rose, TX

Distance: 5.0 miles

Trails: Cedar Brake, Paluxy River

I was visiting my family that lives near Glen Rose and decided I needed a morning hike, at least once, this weekend.  I stayed up way too late the night before, but eventually made my way to my cousin's place to pick up her fiancee and we hit the trails.

The parking lot at the entrance was a bit crowded, and the trailhead parking was busy because of group campers but the overall trail experience didn't include seeing more than three people in five miles.

The river was noticeably low and was not too difficult to cross.  We started around 8 am, in order to try and get a few miles in before the temps skyrocketed into uncomfortable territory.  We saw gorgeous flowers in bloom, cactus flowers, yucca flowers, and of course plenty of insects pollinating.  We hiked at a steady pace, had good conversation, and an overall enjoyable morning.  This hike was just what my body needed.

Overall, it was a satisfying hike with a new hiking partner.  On our way out, the line to get in the park was damn near 50 cars long, so I'm glad we got there when we did.  Here's to you, old standby, your views and trails are always worth it to me.  Happy trails!

#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.

#hike8 - Cleburne State Park

Date: March 3, 2018

Location: Cleburne State Park - Cleburne, TX

Distance: 6 ish miles

Trails: Fossil Ridge, Coyote Run, Limestone Ridge, White Tail Hollow, Lake trails 

I was lucky this weekend - my family was camping somewhere and my aunt wanted to hike.  I jump at the chance to hike with someone, so I drove down to Cleburne State Park and we hit the trails Saturday morning.  I had been there before in 2017, but we did a little more than I did my first time and I saw a different side of the of the park.

We decided to do the rim around the park, a series of trails that went along the fence line.  We started out near the entrance and went about a mile up then decided to hike down the shoreline of Cedar Lake and across the old CCC dam to the spillway.  Since my aunt was camping, we walked back to the car along the west side of the spillway and then drove back to the campsite to refresh our water supply.  We walked from the campsite to the Coyote Run trail head and then hiked down the east side of the lake to the scenic lookout, and back to the camp.  This part of the hike was new to me and was surprisingly hilly and shaded, which was nice.  I still managed to get a sunburn on my neck and arms, so always wear your sunscreen.  Near the spillway I spotted a guy across the way and I thought it was a #parkchat/#gearmeout/#hikerchat friend, and sure enough at the bottom of the hill I run into Mr. Gibby himself.  It is a real treat to run into familiar faces and something I hope happens more often.

Some Cleburne State Park takeaways:

  • It is quite hilly, gentle hills, but hilly... be prepared!
  • Walking along the lake is good for refreshing breezes, so keep that in mind
  • If you wait til late spring you'll see tons of flowers

State parks keep me sane here in Texas, and I'm forever thankful for them.  I renewed my annual pass on Saturday so I'm good to go again through 2019 and I highly recommend the annual state park pass here in Texas if you're a frequent visitor or bring a car full of people with you each time.

See you on the trails!

#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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