52 Hike Challenge 2018

#hike14 - Eagle Mountain Park

Date: April 8, 2018

Location: Eagle Mountain Park - Fort Worth, TX

Distance: 8.3

Trails: All trails, some twice

Got up early on a Sunday morning to hit the trails.  I arrived at my go-to park at 7:40 AM to a nearly empty parking lot.  It was 35 degrees and overcast, so I figured that had something to do with the empty lot.  When the temp is below 40, I am happy.  I started on the north trails, just under 3 miles, and made my way to the south trails to round out the 8.  I love walking along the lake, the waves are calming plus there was a nice mist rising into the cool air.

I don't have much to say about this place, other than I just really enjoy going here.  The hills give me variety, and I challenged myself to run up the hills I encountered which proved to be rejuvenating.  Walking through the fresh foliage reminded me that it is indeed spring, and also that hot weather is on the way back.  New life in the forests helped me find peace and clear my head, so I highly recommend spring hikes for that purpose.

I hope you all have a great week ahead; happy trails!

#hike13 - Olympic National Park (the coast)

Date: March 31, 2018

Location: Olympic National Park - Washington

Distance: 9.3

Trails: Ozette Loop

I woke up as the morning became light, decided it was time, and made my way to the Ozette Ranger Station to park and get acquainted with the trail and area.  It was about 7:21 and I wanted to be done before noon, as I had planned to check out of my cabin by then.  Four-plus hours was plenty of time to complete 9 miles, even at a slow pace, but I was off in a hurry.  After about a half mile, I consciously calmed myself down and went a normal pace so I could enjoy all of the lush greenery and skunk cabbage blooms.  The Ozette Triangle, or Ozette Loop, is really two trails and a beach hike.  The two trails to/from the beach go through coastal forests, random clearings, swamps, and crosses creeks.  The paths are either soil in boxes, boardwalks, or dirt.  Elevation gain is minimal, until the end, but here are stairs and a rope for any necessary assistance making it acceptable for all types of hikers.

I remember stopping when I heard the first sign of waves - the ocean was near.  The air changed, my pace changed, I was smiling uncontrollably, and I was finally to the beach.  As I got closer, the beach smelled less fresh and more fishy, but what can you do?  Walking the beach from trail to trail had some obstacles such as large fallen trees, rocks, and tide pools.  I ran into a group of hikers who didn't have a map so we looked at mine and made friendly chatter.  It's nice to run into people with the same idea as you, wandering down the beach in search of the next trail.  I eventually left them in the dust, hike your own hike, but I did enjoy their company for a little while.

This hike was secluded enough and offered the most variety as far as terrain and plants of any over my weekend in the Olympic.  I hope you find your path and happy trails!

#hike12 - Olympic National Park (inland hikes)

Date: March 30, 2018/April 1, 2018

Location: Olympic National Park - Washington

Distance: 8 miles

Trails: Marymere Falls, Mt. Storm King, Sol Duc, Maple Glade, Hall of Mosses

WHAT A HIKE.  Hike 12 encompassed several trails from my weekend away on the Olympic Peninsula in Northwest Washington.  For this, I'm taking all the little hikes I did over two days and counting them as one for record keeping purposes, as many were at just about a mile.  It's amazing - as I look back at previous hikes, they were longer but much less impressive.  A mile on the Olympic can blow your mind.

Marymere Falls: This trail started at the Storm King Ranger Station and goes through a tunnel, under US-101, and follows the river back to a couple of bridges and some stairs to a waterfall viewing area.  The sound of rushing water, the bright green undergrowth, and the moss covered logs all accompany you along the path.  Take your time, take it all in.

Mt. Storm King: This trail branches off of the Marymere Falls path and goes straight up!  I climbed about 17-1800 feet in 1.4 miles, and I didn't make it to the very top due to wind and lack of confidence.  BUT, I did make it up past the marked trail and had excellent views.  If you don't mind heights or just love hills, this is the trail for you.  It begins with sweeping switchbacks and transitions to more straightforward and steep trails.

Sol Duc, Hall of Mosses, and Maple Glade:  These trails are rainforest hikes!  The Quinault Rainforest area houses the Maple Glade and by far my favorite.

Trail to Sol Duc Falls

Tree growing out of a tree - Quinault Rainforest North Shore

Maple Glade - Quinault Rainforest

Mossy limbs in the Hoh Rainforest

Some vegetation contrast - Quinault Rainforest

The time spent in these areas was magical.  I have never felt so grounded and free-spirited all at once.  If you get a chance to hike in the Pacific Northwest, DO IT!  Sending everyone happy trails ahead.

#hike11 - Dinosaur Valley State Park

Date: March 24, 2018

Location: Dinosaur Valley State Park - Glen Rose, TX

Distance: 9.1 miles

Trails: Paluxy River & Cedar Brake Outer Loop (here's the map)

Previous Hike(s): January 2018

I woke up at 5am on a Saturday for a hike because I love to do it THAT much.  Personally, I love to start the day in the dark because as the light comes I feel as though the world is waking up with me.  Other perks about starting early include less traffic, less people, and it opens the day up for more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

I got to the park as the sun was coming over the ridge, about 7:30am.  I was shocked to arrive and see a parking lot 75% full of cars, but soon realized it was some special camping event and it was overflow or something.  Other than a lady power walking along the river, I didn't have company on the trail until about mile five, and it was only a few people at first but towards the end there were groups and groups of people crossing the river and starting the trail.

I saw one bunny and more spiders than I can count.  It was nice in the winter, with less spiders, but they are back and webbing across the trails like crazy.  Most spiders I encountered were harmless, but the webs always feel a little weird when you don't see them and walk through.

Takeaways:

  • As I often suggest, start early.  In Texas (and other warm places) it's cooler, less crowded, and often worth it for the sunrise alone.
  • If you're becoming familiar with a place, and it's a small/moderate loop trail, go the opposite way and you may see things differently.

I did my video summary, as usual, but I didn't have the phone mounted.  Enjoy the shaky video and happy trails!

#hike10 - Eagle Mountain Park

Date: March 17, 2018

Location: Eagle Mountain Park - Fort Worth, TX

Distance: 7.54 miles

Trails: All major trails

The new apartment is about 20 minutes closer to Eagle Mountain Park, which is good news because I LOVE hiking there and will likely make it my "go to" when I can't get somewhere more adventurous.  My other half and I arrived about 8:30 am and it was already packed.  We set out on the two northern trails before moving to the larger, southern loops.  The northern trails were a good start, with less people and more wildlife.  Once we made our way to the southern trails, we encountered more people, less wildlife, and I found myself wishing we lived in a remote town somewhere with nearby mountain trails.

Spring was in the air throughout the park, with buds and blooms at every turn.  Deer were feeding a few yards from the trail, and people were mostly in a good mood.  The lake was high and people were out fishing along the shoreline.  The morning was beautiful with partial sun, a light breeze, and somewhat warm temperatures.

Eagle Mountain Park - Takeaways from this hike

  • If you want to avoid crowds, get there before 7:30am (I've said this before, so I'll say it again)
  • Do all the trails to get between 7-8+ miles
  • Watch out for offshoot trails that deteriorate the landscape - STAY ON TRAIL.  It can be difficult to determine where to walk, because things are so far gone in places, so stick to the path most traveled.
  • See my post from a previous hike HERE

Happy trails everyone!

    #hike9 - Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge

    Date: March 10, 2018

    Location: Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge - Fort Worth, TX

    Distance: 4.7 miles

    Trails: Canyon Ridge Trail

    My friend Megan met up with me and we went out to the Nature Center to hike it up on Saturday morning hike number nine.  It was a mild morning with partial sun, and not a huge crowd to start out, which is always a good sign.  I love the Canyon Ridge Trail for the hills and the views, but today it was even better with new leaves and flowers for spring.  We spent the 4.7 miles, there and back, discussing life and reminiscing about recent events - time flew by.  I always enjoy hiking with friends or family, so if anyone wants to connect out on the trail, hit me up!  By the end of our time, it was a pleasant 75 degrees and the sun was shining down.

    Things to know about the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge/Canyon Ridge Trail:

    • Get there early if you'd like to start your hike with fewer people.  If you don't mind crowds, wait it out for a later start.  We started at 8:30 with two cars in the lot and ended with people parking down the road at 10:30-11.
    • There are plenty of other trails, but Canyon Ridge offers a variety of things from old building ruins to views of Lake Worth to minor elevation changes that challenge your legs.
    • It is $5/person to get in, and they DO accept credit/debit cards.

    Fun story: We were at this old rest shelter, and saw another one down a trail (probably not Leave No Trace) so we delicately went to check it out...only to find tons of wasps.  I ran so fast away, there was no time for photos or to make sure Megan was okay - she was.  We avoided any bodily harm and had a good laugh about it once we stopped running.

    I hope you all got outside this weekend if you wanted, and if not, hopefully soon!  Enjoy your week and happy trails!

    #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!

    #hike7 - Cedar Ridge Preserve

    Date: March 1, 2018

    Location: Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas, Texas

    Distance: 4 miles

    Trails: Cedar Breaks, Fossil Valley, Escarpment 

    It had been 18 days since I hiked.  That is a VERY long stretch for me.  Between being sick with an upper respiratory infection, a massive work project,  and the torrential rain we received I was just unable to get out there.  BUT, Hike 7 revived my spirit.  The cedars/junipers were still wet, so the bark was dark, and it looked like a completely different forest than the one from Hike 6.  The trails were wet and muddy, but passable.  Chewy the dog and I were covered in mud after four miles, but it was worth it.  It is no surprise that getting out on the trail makes me feel invigorated and Hike 7 was no exception.  I can't wait to get out again for Hike 8 on Saturday and maybe even a Hike 9 on Sunday if there is time.  I hate being behind, but at least my excitement is renewed.  My  hope is that the weather cooperates and that you all have happy trail ahead!

    #hike6 - Cedar Ridge Preserve

    Date: February 10, 2018

    Location: Cedar Ridge Preserve - Dallas, Texas

    Distance: 6 miles

    Trails: Cattail Pond to Cedar Brake to Cattail Pond to Fossil Valley to Trout Lily to Fossil Valley to Cattail Pond to Cedar Brake (here's a map)

    It was a surprisingly cold morning and I was running way later than I would have liked, but it turned out just fine.  I didn't quite expect it to be under 40 degrees when I left the house, but that's why I keep gloves in my daypack.  Chewy the dog prefers cooler temps, and I could tell bringing him wasn't going to be a mistake.

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    We arrived, deposited the $3 in the tube (always support your local parks if they ask for donations) and went to the trailhead sign.  Chewy, as usual, had to do his business right away which is fine because then I don't have to carry it.  If you're the type of person that doesn't pick up after your dog, or leaves bags tied to trees or on the side of the trail for later, you're not a nice person.  If you can't double bag it and put it in an outside mesh backpack pocket, inside your bag, or on your dog's harness, then don't bring your dog.  Please pick up, leave no trace that your dog did their business, and move along.

    IMG_20180210_112950.jpg

    We took the main path down to the Cedar Brake trail and the first part is downhill, but almost immediately you go back up.  The first hill is a long, tall one, but not nearly as challenging as other along the way.  I've been doing pretty mild, yet long, hikes so the hills were a welcome change of pace.  The temps had dropped even more since starting, the wind was whipping through the bare trees, and I swear I saw a single snowflake hit my glasses.  We made our way back to the Cattail Pond, and I was debating if we were going to stick to the original plan of doubling back on the Cedar Brake trail or taking the easy, shorter way back to the car.  I ended up choosing the more challenging way back and I'm glad I did.  I was getting that "high" feeling from hills and those last two miles were all goofy smiles while my head emptied thoughts on the trail behind me.  Hills are good for the brain, too.

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    Things to Know about Cedar Ridge Preserve:

    • There are plenty of hills to tackle, but there are ways to go through without encountering any of the really strenuous ones - so if you're not up for the hills, you can still enjoy this lovely place.
    • Trail runners love this place, so be on the lookout for them.  We can all work together to share the trail, just use common sense.
    • The only trash can is at the main trailhead, so plan accordingly.  ALWAYS pack out your trash - including your dog's.
    • Getting there early is in your best interest on a normal day with normal temperatures.  There is a big parking area and several overflow areas.  I usually like to get there between 6:45-7:45.
    • The Cedar Brake trail will have the least road noise from neighboring freeways.
    • Check out the park website here and the trail profiles here for more planning resources.

    This place has been one of my go-to locations when I can't get away from the metro area.  The trail vary in difficulty, the trees are a nice touch, and it's well maintained.  I highly recommend this to anyone - whether you're in town for a minute or live here - it's a great place to escape the concrete for a bit.  Happy hiking, see you on hike 7!

    #hike5 - Eagle Mountain Park

    MVIMG_20180203_083934.jpg

    Date: February 3, 2018

    Location: Eagle Mountain Park - Fort Worth, TX

    Distance: 5.5 miles

    Trails: All but purple and yellow, see this map for reference

    Eagle Mountain Park is one of the locations in Fort Worth that I don't mind revisiting, especially if the weekend doesn't allow for an out of town adventure.  My friend Nikki joined me for this hike and I was thankful to have someone along to chat with about nature, news, and pop culture.

    This was the fourth time I was at Eagle Mountain Park, located on the east side of Eagle Mountain Lake, and I was expecting a familiar route with my friend, but we were constantly distracted by things we hadn't noticed before.

    IMG_20180203_083645.jpg
    • Was that log always there?
    • DId you ever notice that forest area?
    • Was that tree always down?
    • OOH, deer!
    • Oh, look at that bird! What kind of bird is that?

    Rediscovering a familiar place is a treat and part of the reason these hikes are important to me.  As we walked, we kept discovering things that went under the radar before and reminded me that I need to slow down and be a bit more observant.  Nikki suggested we educate ourselves, so we are going to learn more about plant identification and various other information related to the ecology here in Texas.

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    Things to know about Eagle Mountain Park

    • There are hills, they're not terrible, but they are there so be aware
    • The trails wander between wooded and wide open areas, so you can find shade in the summer but always plan ahead with a hat, sunscreen, and water
    • Take the shoreline trail - it's beautiful and you usually can catch a nice breeze
    • If you want to avoid crowds, get there before 7:30am
    MVIMG_20180203_083638.jpg

    This hike was especially refreshing, both mentally and physically, after a week of travel and getting back into the workflow.  I'm thankful for good friends, good talks, and slowing down and seeing the little things in a familiar place.  Happy trails!

    #hike4 - Cook County, Minnesota

    This hike is becoming an annual tradition for me and I'll take it.  Every year, my buddy and I are trying to get up to his aunt's remote cabin in the winter.  Anyone we know is invited, but they must brave the cold and trek across the frozen lake.  This year, it was just the two of us because it was rather last minute, but hopefully we'll get a good annual group going sometime each year in mid-February.

    We hit the lake at sunset, getting to the cabin at dark on the first night.

    Date: January 26-29, 2018

    Location: Cook County, Minnesota

    Distance: 3.5 estimated miles

    Trails: Straight shot across the lake from the boat landing to the cabin landing, up through the woods to the ridge

    You always go into this trip not knowing exactly what to expect, as the area is pretty remote.  We arrived at the spot where you can safely park, unloaded, and followed a snowmobile trail down to the lake.  From there, we had pretty smooth sailing with hard, crunchy snow and no need for the snowshoes.  Once to the cabin landing, we have a huge hill to hike up and there was only about 8-12 inches of snow there, which is relatively low and made for an easy climb with our sleds.

    The cabin has no modern amenities, no frills, and no mercy.  There is a good wood stove, an outhouse, and it's bitter cold for the first few hours upon arrival.  After getting the place warmed up, it's cozy and great for drinking your favorite cocktail, playing board games, or reading a book.

    On Saturday, we trekked up to a ridge just beyond the cabin.  The hike is through the woods, without any real trail, and the snow level was manageable in most places, and was a nice way to break up the day.

    Temperatures upon arrival were near 30 degrees Fahrenheit, but fell to -10 by the time we left.  Last year we hiked across the lake from the cabin landing to another lake, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, but this year we just didn't make it for some reason or another - probably the temps.  On our last morning, we attempted the "throwing hot water in the -5 degree air" thing and that was pretty cool - I did my best to capture a photo of that below.

    For more background info and a more detailed account of previous cabin adventures, check out my last trip here.  I hope you all have great hikes this week and happy trails!

    #hike3 - McKinney Falls State Park

    This hike was a little muddy but a nice new adventure.

    Date: January 20, 2018

    Location: McKinney Falls State Park - Austin, TX

    Distance: 7.4 miles

    Trails: Homestead, Flint Rock Loop, Williamson Creek Overlook

    It was a Saturday morning out of town and I was determined to go hiking.  I got my car out of the hotel parking garage and drove to the state park before 8 am after being out all night before - it was a slow start.  I got to the trailhead parking, wandered down to the lower McKinney Falls and tried to figure out a way to cross the river.  The three trails I chose require a river crossing, though it wasn't well marked, I chose a spot just above the falls.  I started out, but ended up in ankle deep water and wet feet.  I had my wool socks and it was over 50 degrees, so I just carried on knowing I'd likely be a little squishy.

    The trails were well marked, but seemed a little off in distance.  My tracking was a little higher than posted trail mileage, despite appearing to be accurate.  I realized on the Flint Rock Loop seemed about a half mile short, but I could be wrong.  Either way, I had extra distance by wandering along the river a bit too, so who knows.  The weather was gray and mild, but there was some rain the night before that made the trails muddy.  My feet were already heavy due to being wet, but add the sticky mud and it made it feel like I had bricks strapped to the bottom.  I persevered, eventually reaching that reflective, head clearing state of mind that I enjoy so much.

    Things to be aware of:

    • This park is surrounded by industrial areas and busy roads, so outside noises are prevalent on the trails.
    • You will get wet crossing the river, so plan ahead for that
    • It's very close to Austin, so it can be reached by a ride share if you don't have a car available

    What I learned

    • I can hike with wet feet for at least 7 miles and it's all good, if it's not cold
    • My need for quiet is becoming the main focus so I'm going to find some parks a little further away from main roads or bustling cities - SOON.
    • Crossing a river will clean off of the mud from a long hike

    All in all, it was a nice hike and it was a great way to clear my head after a cloudy night.  Happy trails!

    Goal: Tahquamenon Falls Hike (June 2018)

    Alright people, I had a brilliant idea today... This June I have to go up to Michigan for my brother's wedding, so I'm going to make the most of the trip.  Since I'll be driving, I've decided I'm going to sneak away for a day and hike the trail between upper and lower Tahquamenon Falls.  If you don't know anything about Tahquamenon Falls, here are some details:

    • When pronouncing it, think "phenomenon"
    • It's a set of 2 falls, actually, located on the Tahquamenon River in the eastern portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
    • The upper falls are just shy of 50 feet tall and 200 feet wide
    • The lower falls are located about 4 miles downstream from the upper falls, and aren't as tall but are still gorgeous
    • There is a trail between the two falls that is part of the North Country Trail
    • The falls are a tourist attraction all year (I like them best in the winter, personal preference)
    • You can learn more on the Michigan DNR page found here

    When I was up in Michigan for Christmas, I had plans to visit the falls but wasn't able to do so because of a strong winter storm.  The Mackinac Bridge (connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan) often closes or requires escorts if the weather gets too bad and I didn't want to risk being stuck* in the Upper Peninsula.  I'm determined to hike this trail, though, and will go alone if I have to this summer to do the 10 mile trek there and back.  If you'd like to join me on this trail, and will be in Michigan, contact me and I'll share the dates I'll be there.  It's likely this hike will be number 24 in the journey, but that is just an estimate.

    Photo taken of the Upper Tahquamenon Falls in December 2015

    *Disclaimer: there is nothing wrong with being stuck in the Upper Peninsula, I just didn't want to spend the money on a hotel or extra food.

    #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!

    Welcome!

    It's time to start the 52 Hike Challenge for 2018.  Each week in 2018 I'll go for a hike and share the details on this blog.  The idea behind the challenge is to get outside and active in nature.  Hiking, for me, has really expanded my love for the outdoors and the area in which I live.

    I completed the 52 Hike Challenge for 2017, and the info and blog posts can be found here.

    Goals for 2018:

    • Hike more than 300 miles
    • Take longer hikes each week
    • Include backpacking
    • Hike to Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    • Hike in Olympic National Park

    Follow along here, on Twitter, or Instagram.  Happy hiking, first hike will be 1/6/17.

    #52hikechallenge2017 - Looking back and moving forward

    Happy New Year.  It's 2018, and that means at least 52 more hikes from me.  I finished the final three hikes of 2017 sick as a dog, and the final two in the bitter cold of a harsh winter in Northern Michigan.  I'm alive, still sick, but working on the plans for the next 52.  Here are a few stats from 2017:

    Total mileage: about 212

    Solo hikes: 19 (which means 33 were with other people)

    Canine companion hikes: 25

    Unique locations: 29

    Number of hikes I truly enjoyed: 46

    Number of States (including my own): 9

    Number of NPS Units: 4

    Number of State Parks: 10

    The few hikes I didn't enjoy were most likely due to trails/parks being closed, having a busy weekend, the infrequent feeling that this was more of an obligation than fun, and/or plain old laziness.  The mission of this challenge was to get me out on a trail and to encourage me to find new places - which it did.  I have a new understanding of the natural areas in Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as the State of Texas that makes living here much more tolerable.

    Looking forward to 2018 and the hikes ahead, I want to increase my total mileage and explore a bit more out of my comfort zone.  I'm going to shoot for 400 miles in hopes of getting there, but I will not beat myself up for anything above 300.  Currently, I'm making plans to find longer trails and/or places with more trails so I can get an average of 5-7 miles per outing.  I am looking forward to expanding my knowledge of parks in Texas as well as the surrounding states like New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.  I'm hopeful for trips to Washington, Alaska, and Michigan.  I'd love to include Utah again as well as California and Oregon, but we'll see as the year unfolds how funding and timing go.

    Here's to the new year, new trails, and new experiences all over again.

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