South Shore Roadrunner Loop to Burkett Figure 8

One of Many on the Tumbleweeds
One of the numerous caterpillars enjoying the green plants which will become tumbleweeds.
User: MikeHikes - 10/13/2016

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4point5stars
Difficulty: halfstar  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 9.60 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours

Comments:

Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area        2.9 miles

Leg 2 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Loop > Lanky Lackey > Suzanne's Trail > Burkett park     3.8 miles

Leg 3 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area     2.9 miles

Temps at 55 to start and 65 at end, overcast, light cool wind.

A good hike today on dry trails with an overcast sky.  Not many birds out and about.  Vegetation is slowly beginning to die off although the trails could use some trimming.  On a positive note - the final section of Tasajilla Flats that connects to the Nature Loop, had been mowed again and the trail is much easier to traverse.  The same cannot be said for Nature Loop!

Of interest - about 12 - 14 years ago, during the Winter, severe Northerly winds brought an inordinately large amount of tumbleweeds into the area that Winding Snake goes through. In some cases, the piles of tumbleweeds were 8 - 10 foot tall.  As time passed, the tumbleweeds broke down and disappeared.  Don't know if it was due to the rains we've had or "just because" but a lot of green plants that will soon turn into brown tumbleweeds are growing.  There were numerous caterpillars eating the small leaves and flowers (photo attached).  Not all caterpillars were the same either - I counted at least five different types enjoying the abundant food available.

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

Water, shade and toilets available at the camping area along the Roadrunner Loop.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett park.



Log Photos
One of Many on the Tumbleweeds
Area around San Angelo State Park
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