Cross Timbers Trail

West end trail head. Lake Texoma Marina
By emeryk on 2/4/2017
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 13.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Well we finally found the trail head at Lake Texoma Marina. Frame work was there but not a map. Wasn't sure if that was the beginning or not. We tried it. ''This end of the trail need more hikers. After the first mile or so, trail becomes very evident. Lots of cedar and trail is fairly flat. Loved walking it. Lots of trash thrown off the side of trail from low life people that just don't care. We walk in about 9 miles to Eagles Roost and camped the night. On a cliff facing Oklahoma. Eagle Roost trail could use some traffic and cleaning up due to trees that have fallen over. But over all, amazing hike. Next day we hit the ups and downs to Cedar Boyou to get picked up and taken back to car. Over all about 13 miles of pure enjoyment. Light traveled weekend on the trail. Lots of primitive camp site that just isn't on the map. 

Changes to Cross Timbers Trail
By Saihbreas on 11/26/2016
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 8.00 Miles Duration: N/A

The map on this site is out of date. Due to flooing and other factors, the first 3+ miles of the trail has change routes in two places. Updated tracks for this trail can be found on http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com

Updates for this trail
By Saihbreas on 8/30/2015
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 6.50 Miles Duration: N/A

8-30-15: Just to let people know not to give up on this trail. As of 8-30-15 there has been much improvement on the trail. I personally have re-blazed parts of the trail have fallen into disuse. New portions of the trail from Juniper point have been created to by-pass portions that have fallen into the lake. You won't have to worry about walking through underbrush to get to good portions of the trail. From Juniper point to Rock Creek Marina the trail is in very good shape now. Past Rock Creek Marina to the Paw Paw Point trail head (12 mile point) the trail is in need of debris and trash removal from the lake flooding during May/June of 2015. There are plans to remove the debris come late September/October time frame (volunteers appreciated). 

The last 2 miles of the trail has been sorely underused, with many trail makers missing. As of 8-30-15 new blazes have been placed from the Paw Paw Creek trail head (my Lake Texoma Marina) for about one-half mile. More will be placed in the coming weeks so that the entire trail will be completed blazed and easier to follow. I personally would like to see more people begin their trek from the Paw Paw Creek trail head (end of the trail) to help make the trail more visible by constant wear. Also, the Paw Paw Creek trail head has a great grassy area for parking plenty of vehicles. 

In the last month I've personally worked on portions of this trail, and have surveyed the entire trail, so I know the above statements to be true. On Facebook a group called the Cross Timbers & Lost Loop Trail Runs have people who are contributing to the maintenance of the trail. I walked the first almost 3 miles of the trail with them on 8-29-15 to survey the trail from Juniper Point. It is completely clear and easy to navigate. There is also a Facebook page for this trail where I make periodic posts keeping people updated on the trail improvements. By October of this year I plan to have updated tracks to upload to this and other trail sites so people will have the latest navigation tools and information.

By BoxOfRain on 5/24/2014
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 28.00 Miles Duration: 12 hours

Love Love Love this trail.....have made this trail many times.....finally got to "thru-hike" from end to end (and back).    I will have to say that my favorite part is from Juniper point west to paw paw (I forgot the name of the resort/store they've changed it recently) after that the trail becomes relatively flat, and large stretches of open (uncovered) trail (not my favorite thing in Texas Summers).  Also, we had several encounters with various snakes on that stretch, (not trying to scare anyone....just be on the lookout)   and then once you round the final penninsula and come around the little inlet approaching the Rock Creek resort the trail marking becomes very vague at best.....the trail isn't really maintained well past the paw paw creek marina thingee, unless you want to just say you hiked the whole trail I would say you aren't missing much ......so overall I would give the first 11 miles a perfect 5 (for Texas) and then after that...not so much.  My favorite part is definitely between cedar bayou marina and 5 mile camp (or even on to paw paw)....lots of nice established campsites, trails very well marked, and (in my experience) pretty quiet (even on holiday weekends)....anyway that's my two cents worth...I could be wrong....

Beautiful hike along the lake.
By skigil on 10/10/2010
Rating: Difficulty: Solitude:
Distance: 10.00 Miles Duration: 6 hours
I found this hike to be more than I thought it was. Not only was terrain harder, but there were less people than I had expected.

I took off from Juniper Point West. It appears most people do this(you can't beat the free parking!). I parked at the bathrooms and started heading towards the trail. The day-use area was roped off, but it looked very inviting. It was right along the lake and looked perfect for a large group's picnic.

I finally got onto the trail and knew my goal was getting to the "5-mile" campsite. I quickly realized that the first mile or so of the trail was along a cliff. I am rather scared of heights, but this cliff didn't seem to bother me. (I am hoping this means I am getting over my fear of heights!)

Once the trail flattened out, there were plenty of spots for people to setup campsites, if they didn't want to hike it all the way to the "5-mile" campsite.

As I passed the beautiful scenery, I learned that the trail was much more up-and-down than I originally planned for. There is quite a bit of rocks and tree roots that form into stairs. So in other words, this isn't a simple walk in the park, yet the trail was easily identifiable, but certainly not anything crazy.

Even though there were plenty of times I thought I was in the middle of nowhere, there is no denying that you're not. Not only were there plenty of people on the trail, there are always people on the lake. I can easily imagine the lake being a lot fuller around the three day weekends.

Reminders for people on the trail:
1) No running water along the trail. Either bring water, plan on filling up at some of the commercial campsites, or bring a filter.
2) Stay towards the lake on the trail at all times. I found myself in someone's backyard with their dogs because I took a wring turn. I think it was the only wrong turn you could possibly take.
3) I took along my iPhone so I could keep track of how far/fast I was traveling. This was one of my better decisions.

I hiked to the "5-mile" campsite and back. Now I want to do the entire trail. I could probably do it in 2 days, but I'd like to go slower and stretch it out over 3 days. I feel like I went to fast to enjoy all the nature that this trail brings.