Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook
San Angelo State Park
- 12/13/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster Trail > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend Trail > service road (NW) > Cougar Overlook 5.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park > 2.8 miles
Temp stayed at 50 and ended at 64. Cloudy and overcast for Leg 1 then clear, sunny and windy (SW 15-20mph) for Leg 2.
Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. The trails seem to be noticeably rockier due to wind and rain eroding the loose soil from the trails. Consequently, caution is advised on some trails due to the possibility of twisting an ankle on the uneven rocky trail foundation. Not all trails are like this but more than enough are so watch your step. I was very surprised when I crossed Turkey Creek and saw flowing water! Granted it was not a steady rushing stream but even a trickle is better than nothing.
Very few birds were seen and the only wildlife I saw were three deer right when I came into the park.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park. EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough is dry but water is available via a hose at the fountain.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction. A horse trough is available as well.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground to Burkett Park (Short Loop) + Roadrunner Loop
San Angelo State Park
- 12/5/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park 3.1 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.7 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 54. Overcast, damp with 0-5mph NE breeze. Later, a little more sun with 5-15mph NE wind.
A very nice, easy hike along damp trails that were easy to see and traverse. Hunting was going on along the park Mid and North sections so I saw quite a few deer in the South Shore "sanctuary". Unfortunately there were no other animals present and not many birds either. Not much to report.
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 available at Burkett Park. EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough only has rain water in it but a water hose is available.
Water and shade are available at numerous campsites along Roadrunner Loop. There are three stations that have water, shade, info kiosk and toilets along the Loop as well.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop
San Angelo State Park
- 11/25/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.70 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 20 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.5 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 55. Sunny, light SW breeze changed to NW 10-15mph wind.
An easy hike along dew dampened trails that were easy to see and traverse. A few strands of Gayfeather flowers were seen as well as a large number of Bee Bush shrubs! Quite a few deer were out as well as two hawks, a javelina and a pair of Ruby Crowned Kinglets (photo attached) - the first ones I've seen this Winter. It was a quiet, enjoyable hike overall.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground Parking Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. NOTE TO EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough is still dry but water is available via a hose at the fountain.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Loop
San Angelo State Park
- 11/15/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (Long) > Cougar Overlook 3.0 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (NNE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 5.0 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 68. Sunny, infrequent 0-5mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along damp to muddy trails. Trails are easy to see and traverse but there are spots where, due to the recent heavy rains, the topsoil is gone and the trail is very rocky. Yet in other spots, the trail is smooth with the additional topsoil was on top of the rocks! Just be aware that the same trail can have different characteristics.
Not many animals spotted although I was surprised to see this very young javelina (photo attached). He came out of the underbrush and did not hesitate to walk towards me. I had no desire to meet his parent so I made noise and the javelina ran into the brush and disappeared. Hopefully he had merely wandered away from his parent and was not an orphan.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. Horse trough is still dry.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, and info kiosk are available at 5 Points Junction.
South Shore - Playground to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
San Angelo State Park
- 11/6/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats> Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.8 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.9 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.2 miles
Temps started at 44, ended at 77. Sunny with 0-5mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along familiar trails. Hunting was on-going from Burkett Park North so those trails were closed. Deer, javelinas and numerous birds were spotted. There were no other people on the trails so it was anice and relaxing hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair staion available at Playground Parking Arera.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. NOTE - on this day the water trough was empty and looked ready to be cleaned.
Water and shade available at numerous campsites along Roadrunner Loop. Three places have toilets, water and info kiosks.