South Shore - Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge & Back - Figure 8

ALWAYS watch where you put your feet!
This young rattler was right in the middle of the trail curled into a ball and struck the stick I used to get him to move off the trail. If I hadn't looked down, I could have easily stepped on him - NOT GOOD for either of us!
User: MikeHikes - 6/26/2021

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: 1star  Solitude: 1star
Miles Hiked: 10.90 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours, 45 minutes

Comments:

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.



Log Photos
ALWAYS watch where you put your feet!
Area around San Angelo State Park
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