Lone Star Hiking Trail - Wilderness Section

I hiked with a friend through the woods.  We did the North Wilderness Loop to the Sand Branch Loop.  Weather was cool and nice.  Lot of trees down in the Sam Houston National Forest, but this is normal.  Nothing major that could not be overcome.

This was my third hike in the Wilderness Section of the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT).  This time I did both the Sand Branch Loop and Richards Loop to finish the Wilderness Section.

I parked at Trailhead #2 and hiked the LSHT down to the Sand Branch Trail, up the Little Lake Creek Loop Trail to TH1, then back down the LSHT to TH#2.  The trails were well marked and there were several ponds along the way.  Lots of fallen trees across the trails.  Given the millions of trees in the Sam Houston National Forest, I guess this is pretty normal.  Park volunteers do maintain the trails on a periodic basis.  No complaints here.  Wonderful way to spend a day!

Well, that's my opinion, anyways.  :)  For me, this trail has almost everything I like - hills, distance, solitude, good signage, lots to see, etc.

This was my first venture into the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) and I decided to do the South Wilderness Loop.  I started my hike at Trailhead #4, catch the Little Lake Creek Trail (LLCT), to the Sand Branch Trail, to the LSHT, to the Pole Creek Trail and back to TH4.

The trail was very isolated.  I only saw a few people and that was at the midpoint of my hike.  At times, you really feel like you're way in the wilderness and then you'll stumble across a country home or ranch.  The trail is very well marked and although there were several fallen trees blocking the trail, it was well-maintained overall.

My brother in law and I did this loop a few weeks ago.  My first time on the LSHT (his first time hiking) and I was pleasantly surprised.  I've avoided this trail for a while thinking that it would be thick underbrush amongst pines. 

The trail was well marked and maintained.  Most of this loop was pine forests, but the forest was open enough in many areas to see several hundred yards. Very open but still shaded well.  Passed several ponds along the way.  Great hike all around.  Didn't see a single sole all morning.