South Shore - Playground Parking Area to Burkett Park - Short Loop

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Birkett Park     3.4 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground Parking Area    3.1 miles

Temps started at 75, ended at 90.  Sunny with a few high wispy clouds.  Light SW breeze 0-5mph.

A very pleasant hike along dry and easy to traverse trails.  With the recent rains and the time of year, some vegetation is on the trails but nothing that would inhibit seeing what is on the trail itself.

Birds were out to include a Vermillion Flycatcher, Great Horned owls (photo attached), Mockers, various Sparrows and others.  Animals observed were deer, cottontail rabbits as well as a Jack Rabbit.  Reptiles were lizards and a three foot long coachwhip snake.  Insects are becoming more numerous to include cicadas.  As far as wildflowers, a few Mexican hats and some yellow daisy type flowers were the only things of color - all the cactus blossoms are gone.

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at the Playground Parking Area.

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

SPECIAL NOTE - Both locations have the new water station installed but the water is not yet connected.  Water is available at both.