Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 7/19/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook 5.6 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone > service road (ENE) > Trailhead to Trailhead > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.5 miles
Temp started at 75, ended at 81. Sunny then partly cloudy. Steady southerly breeze at 1-5mph. Humid.
A quiet hike along dry trails. No wildflowers except individual blooms here and there. Not many birds out although I saw a male Painted Bunting which was nice. A somewhat rare sighting for me was a Texas Spiny Lizard (photo attached). Usually, I hear them scamper up a tree and can never find them. This one scampered up the tree and held still long enough for me to get the picture then he was gone.
Another oddity - at the southern end of Flintstone, I saw movement out of the corner of my eye and a large pale brown snake shot into the brush making a hissing sound. I don't know if the hissing was an actual hiss or noise made when he rubbed against some bark. In any event, he went his way and I went mine with no photo.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
North Shore - Area 7 Annex
User:
MikeHikes - 7/16/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.40 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Temp started at 75, ended at 91. Sunny with some clouds, light breeze then a little stronger as the hike progressed.
The route is simple - walk through the swinging gate and follow the old truck/jeep trail all the way to the end before returning on the same route. It's approximately 3 miles long but with detours to the river, the distance increases a little.
Wanted to check the North Concho River after the recent rains. Large portions of the river has water, not real deep but nonetheless, there is water in the river. A few places have dry gaps between wet areas. Vegetation was pretty thick, not too many animals seen except for deer both whitetail and a pair of Axis deer. Some birds but nothing unusual.
My objective was to see the river and I did that. Probably won't be back to this area for another year or more.
NOTES -
If you want to go on this trail, I strongly recommend you check in with park personnel at the South Shore gatehouse and get the gate combo. Park your car inside the park at the bath/toilet parking area and walk across FM2288 to the trail. You can park by the trail entrance but I wouldn't recommend it - too much glass and "openness" by the trailhead.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 7/8/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > Service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook 6.3 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javalina Trail > River Bend Trail (N) > service road (NNE) > Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Camp Area > Lower Ghost Camp > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.5 miles
Temp started at 69, ended at 80. Sunny with no breeze gradually became partly cloudy with a little breeze.
A ncie hike along the North Shore! Recent rains have brought some water to the previously dry North Concho River and made the trails slightly wet in some places and dry in others. Vegetation growth has slowed a little and almost all the wildflowers and cactus blooms are gone; however, I saw a few beebush starting to come out. There were lots of male Cardinals singing and I saw a grey fox on the Badlands trail. Grasshoppers of all colors and sizes were abundant and it seemed every step I took meant a handful or more flew off in front of me.
More importantly, there is actually some flowing water (photo attached) where it has been dry for way too long. A good hike overall!
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available in the nearby campground.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Camp Area.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Isabel Harte and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 7/1/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.70 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > park road to Isabel Harte > Chaparral Trailhead 3.1 miles
Leg 2 - Chaparral Trailhead > Chaparral > Playground parking area 1.6 miles
Temp started at 72, ended at 82. Very light intermittent breeze, sunny and humid.
Easy hike along dry to damp to slightly muddy trails. Rains brought out the Red Velvet Mites (photo attached) which is the first time I've seen them this year. Almost all of the wildflowers are gone with a few exceptions; the desert willow is blooming and there were numerous bees and wasps on the blooms.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at the Playground parking areas - TOILETS ARE CLOSED but are available at other areas.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge & Back - Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 6/26/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.6 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.4 miles
Temps started at 80, ended at 90. Overcast then partly cloudy with a constant 10-15mph southerly wind.
A nice hike but a large number of people at the park. The trails have been groomed recently so they are in very good repair. I arrived early in the morning and saw a few deer but not many birds. As I hiked i saw a few more birds including a large raptor in the distance. A small group of four young turkeys were on Lanky Lackey but didn't want to be photographed. I also saw a young rattlesnake who decided the best place to take a nap was right in the middle of Winding Snake trail (photo attached). He was pretty well camoflaged in the dirt and if I had not been looking where my feet went, would have stepped on him. I was able to use a stick and persuade him to get in the brush. Really surprised a biker hadn't run over him.
Otherwise, it was a nice long stroll through the park.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station at the Playground parking area . THE TOILETS ARE CLOSED AT THE MOMENT.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 6/22/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend (N) > service road (NNW) > Cougar Overlook 5.1 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.0 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 76. Overcast, light northerly breeze at 5mph.
Easy hike along familiar trails. Not many birds out but there were numerous cottontail rabbits as well as two pair of Jack Rabbits. Also saw a ring collared snake, quite a few brown millipedes as well as a box turtle who was eating a cicada (photo attached). Unfortunately, the wildflowers and cactus blossoms are gone for the most part. There are a few wildflowers in bloom as indivduals here and there, not in groups or clusters.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and 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 Short Route
User:
MikeHikes - 6/14/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Temp started at 72, ended at 69. Overcast and some light rain, northerly winds at times were strong but mostly non-existent.
Not much to say about this one - saw a fox on Javalina, a hummingbird and a raccoon at Shady Trail. Hike cut short by potential bad weather but I hiked along the river trails and came back almost the same way.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 6/9/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.10 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Cougar Overlook 3.1 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > service road (W) > River Bend Trail (S) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek Trail 3.4 miles
Leg 3 - Potts Creek Trail (ENE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 1.6 miles
Temp started at 78, ended at 88. Overcast, humid with steady Southerly breeze at 10mph.
Today was Reptile Day! Saw a small rattler (about 18 inches long and with three sets of rattles), a box turtle about the size of my hand, a Horned Toad the size of my index finger and a Texas Spotted Lizard about 10-12 inches long. There were some birds out but not many no animals spotted other than a few javelina as I drove in and a pair a Jack Rabbits later on.
The trails were dry and easy to traverse; there were a few spots with vegetation covering them but not many. The cactus are still blooming and a few beebush plants have survived the winter and are very fragrant. Lots of flying bugs out in the cactus blossoms and other wild flowers. Grasshoppers are becoming more numerous as well.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 6/6/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.70 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Leg 2 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park 3.9 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.8 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 80. Cloudy for Leg 1, sunny for Legs 2 & 3. Steady SSW breeze about 10mph.
Easy hike along dry and familiar trails. Last week the cactus flowers and wildflowers were prolific; not so much this time. On a positive note - I saw a small Horned Toad, a yellow billed cuckoo, a solitary javelina, a single cicada, numerous lizards as well as the usual suspects of birds. Because of the recent rains, some of the trails are in need of a haircut so caution is advised especially when trying to avoid stepping on a snake or horned toad.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area - the toilet is temporarily OUT OF SERVICE.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction loop
User:
MikeHikes - 5/28/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.90 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > burkett Trail > Potts Creek > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (W) > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 4.2 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 78. Overcast then mostly cloudy. Light breeze.
Nice hike along dry to slightly damp trails. Flowers still abundant as are the cactus blossoms. Saw some Bee Bush flowers for the first time this year. A family of javalinas crossed the road as I drove in, cottontail and Jack rabbits were spotted and later a solitary male Painted Bunting.
A skunk was stuck under a cattle guard at the entrance to West Potts Creek - rangers were on their way to rescue him when I departed.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park and back + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 5/24/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 10 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > 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 3.4 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 78. Overcast until last 1/2 mile then sunny. Light and steady Southerly breeze at 5mph.
A very nice hike today! Trails were dry, easy to see and traverse although there were some portions of Tasajilla Flats, Lanky Lackey and Winding Snake that are getting quite a bit of vegetation on them so caution is advised due to snakes. No rattlers spotted but I did see my first Texas Long-nosed Snake (photo attached) on Roadrunner Loop. Prickly Pear cactus blooms and all kinds of wildflowers are VERY plentiful but I didn't see any Lace Cactus flowers this time.
Quite a few birds out singing and flying about. Scissortails, hawks, nighthawks, sparrows, etc. Animals were also diverse seeing Jack Rabbits, Cottontail Rabbits, deer and a lone Turkey hen. Non-mammals were the snake, lizards and a large (12 inch or more wide and heavy) tortise sitting in the middle of a trail until I picked him up and moved him into the grassy area.
Overall, it was one of the better hikes I've had in quite awhile!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade available along Roadrunner at the nearby campsites. Toilets also available at a few locations.
North Shore - Parking Lot to Badlands Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 5/16/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.20 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - North parking lot > Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > DInosaur Tracks Viewing Area > DInosaur > shortcut to Upper Big Hill > Upper Big Hill > Badlands 2.5 miles
Leg 2 - Badlands > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead > North parking lot 2.7 miles
Temp low 70's to start, min-80's at end. SUnny with light wind.
Easy hike along familiar trails. Spent time at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area but in general just walked along the trails looking at cactus blossoms and bugs.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 5/10/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 45 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead, Trail;head to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > service road (S) > Badlands > River Bend > Javalina > Cougar Overlook 6.5 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > service road (WNW) > River Bend (N) > Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground > South Slick Rock > trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 4.1 miles
Temp started at 70, ended at 86. Sunny then partly cloudy, slight but steady breeze for most of the hike.
A very good hike along trails that are easy to see but with vegetation starting to cover in places. Wildflowers are blooming now as are my first of the year cactus flowers as well as a batch of Lace Cactus blooms. Also saw my first of the year big snake - a 4+ foot long non-rattler. I also spotted a single feral hog when I reached Cougar Overlook at glanced at the nearly dry North Concho River.
I founbd a juvenile racoon trapped in the dumpster when I arrived at 0700. I put some branches in so he could climb out and went on my hike. When I returned almost 5 hours later, he was still scared and huddled in teh dumpster. I put in more branches and called the park office - they said they would send a ranger out to rescue him so I hope that went well.
There were a few people on the trails but for the vast majority of time, I was alone.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle reapir station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade are available in the nearby campground.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycl repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook loop
User:
MikeHikes - 5/5/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > service road (NNE) > Cougar Overlook 6.0 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.0 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 77. Sunny with a steady 5-10mph breeze.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Saw the first snake of the year (photo attached) and six different lizards as well as deer and two Grey Foxes. Birds were out, mostly various types of sparrows, but there were other birds as well. Some wildflowers remain but I missed seeing the Lace Cactus bloom. There are lots of what appear to be cactus flower buds. If they are, there will be a lot of flowers in the park when the cactus bloom. Should be quite a colorful show!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk availale at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground Parking Area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 4/25/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 4.0 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral Trail > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Temps started at 55, ended at 86. Sunny, steady 10-15mph South winds with gusts.
A nice hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. The birds are singing for mates but the number of birds are not as great as in past years. The only animals spotted were a pair of Jack Rabbits (photo attached). Understandably, there were a lot of folks on the trails today!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Ghost Camp Loop #2
User:
MikeHikes - 4/18/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.70 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Same info as my last hike - just another day and with not as many detours. Only thing noteworthy - the first Lace Cactus bloom of 2021 was spotted (photo attached).
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Ghost Camp Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/8/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.70 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Norht Scenic Loop > trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > service road (WSW) > River Bend Trail (N) 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - River Bend Trail (N) > Badlands > Dinosaur Trail (N) > Upper Big Hill > Rocky Creek > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 2.5 miles
Temp started at 48, ended at 87!, Sunny, very light SW wind.
Easy hike along dry and easy traverse trails. Cold start but the temperture warmed up raipidly! More birds were singing but no wildlife was seen. More flowers are beginning to bloom, mostly yellows, with a few blue/purple flowers. I also saw individual Indian Blankets here and there. Another sign of Spring - at a couple of places along the trail, I caught the very faint hint of blooming agaritas bushes but not flowers or buds were seen.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water, shade and toilets available in the nearby campground.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to River Bend Campground Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/3/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.20 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > South Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground 1.9 miles
Leg 2 - River Bend Campground > park road (WSW) > Badlands > service road (WNW) > Dinosaur (N) > Upper Big Hill > Rocky Creek > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 2.3 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 54. Overcast, light wind.
A short hike on an overcast day. Large number of tent campers at the Equestrian camping area and the River Bend Campgrounds. All trails dry and easy to traverse. Saw a few bats and a few fish while on the Shady Trail. As for the rest of the hike, there were no animals and very few birds spotted - very minimal activity of wildlife during the entire hike. I spotted a group of Turkey Vultures on a tree and that was about it. It was a quiet and peaceful stroll along the trails so there were no complaints from me.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station at Bell's Trailhead. Water, shade and toilets in the nearby campground.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Isabel Harte and back
User:
MikeHikes - 3/31/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Isabel Harte 2.4 miles
Leg 2 - Isabel Harte > park road (SW) > Nature Trail > Horny Toad > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 60. STRONG NNE wind 20-25mph. Overcast but clearing at the end of the hike.
An easy hike along dry and easy to see trails. Strong winds and the somewhat cold temps, kept all the animals and all but a few birds hunkered down. Really nothing to report other than the hike was enjoyable!
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground parking area.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction and back
User:
MikeHikes - 3/24/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.30 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 3.9 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (W) > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 4.4 miles
Temp started at 52, ended at 60. Overcast with fairly steady 10-15 ENE wind.
A quiet hike today along dry and easy to see trails. A few deer and a javalina were spotted when I first came to the park but no animals were seen while hiking. Birds were quiet. I saw about six quail and a few Turkey Vultures in addition to the male Ladderback woodpecker (photo attached), a few dove and a mocker or two - that was it. I don't know if the severe weather we experienced a few weeks ago had anything to do with the lack of wildlife or if I was just at the wrong place at the wrong time when I hiked today.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
that was not easy to see
South Shore - Isabel Harte to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 3/16/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 11.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Isabel Harte Day Use Area > Winding Snake >Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek > West Potts Creek > Roller Coaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 5.4 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flate > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Isable Harte Day Use Area 5.6 miles
Temp started at 52, ended at 72. Overcast with low clouds, then overcast with high clouds. Steadily increasing SSW wind at 10-15mph.
A crowded day at the park! Spring Break is going and there were more visitors than usual. On a positive note there were a lot more birds than last time I visited. I saw some pairs of birds and a couple of Robins - not an uncommon bird but at the park, very uncommon. There used to be a large group of Robins that were year-round residents at the North Shore. For whatever reason, they disappeared so it was unusual to see two Robins near Burkett Park in the South Shore area. I also saw a male Vermillion Flycatcher - the first of the year.
Trails are in good repair and there is plenty of green grass growing within the park. A few widely scattered wildflowers were spotted as well as a few cactus with what looked like red peppers on them. All in all, a god hike.
NOTES
Shade and water available at various campsites in Isabel Harte Day Use Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook and back
User:
MikeHikes - 3/10/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Upper Big Hill > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > service road (W up hill) > Badlands > River Bend > service road (N) > Cougar Overlook 6.8 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javalina Trail > River Bend (straight to end) > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.8 miles
Temp started at 60, ended at 68. Overcast skies with a steady, 10-15mph SW wind.
A quiet hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. I had the trails to myself with the exception of one other hiker I passed as I was on my return leg.
I saw about 20-25 white tail deer as I drove in but only a few were spotted while hiking. Bird activity was very lacking; there were only a few birds visible and only a few birds were heard except for a male Cardinal and a Cactus Wren at different points of the hike. It was a quiet, peaceful hike with nothing going on except I picked up an exceptional amount of trash - two bags stuffed and overflowing with debris found on, and along, the trails.
NOTES
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead. Water, shade and restrooms are available at the nearby campground area.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
Park Mid-Section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 3/3/2021
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Out - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead w/Detours (N) > Cougar Overlook 3.7 miles
Return - Cougar Overlook > service road (WSW) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > Playground (S) > Bell's Point > Playground > Potts Creek (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park.
Temps started at 40, ended at 72. SW breeze blew steadily and increased in intensity. Sunny with very few clouds.
All trails were dry and easy to traverse. Today, I hiked along some trails I normally don't use. As far as animals - today I spotted six deer as well as a healthy fox (photo attached). Birds - there were a number of Turkey Vultures circling overhead, a few songbirds as well as a Loggerhead Shrike and the usual Mockingbirds. Spring is coming so hopefully the bird and animal population will rebound from the intense cold we experienced a few weeks ago.
Nothing else was going so I'll just say, today's hike was simply a very pleasant walk in the park.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
South Shore - Playground Parking Area to Burkett Park
User:
MikeHikes - 2/27/2021
[View Log Page]
Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Out - Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lankey Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park 4.0 miles
Return - Burkett PArk > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 60. Foggy with light wind from SW.
Easy hike along dry to damp trails. Bird activity was almost non-existent - probably due to the recent bitterly cold weather and snow but there were a few birds out (photo attached). Saw a few mountain bikers, hikers and a trail runner; otherwise, it was quiet. Nothing else to report.
NOTES
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.