South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 5/11/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.80 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.5 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.0 miles
Temp started at 49, ended at 74. Sunny, steady NW winds at 5-10mph.
Easy hike along dry to dew-dampened trails. Some parts are overgrown with vegetation but they are still easy to traverse. Numerous cottontail rabbits and deer were out as were Nighthawks and the usual suspects of Mockingbirds, Scissortails and various kinds of Sparrows.
Lots of wildflowers and cactus blossoms are in bloom giving color to an otherwise drab scenery.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parkng rea.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burtkett Park.
Water and shade are available at various campsites along Roadrunner Loop. There are three toilets and info kiosks along the Loop as well.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 4/25/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.30 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 6.0 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javalina > Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.3 miles
Temps started at 64, ended at 76. Overcast with a 0-5mph SW breeze. Humid.
Easy hike along dry or damp or muddy trails. Recent rains have helped produce an abundance of wildflowers throughout the park! The mesquite trees are full of lime green leaves and are producing golden fronds. Bee Bush is also blooming and perfume the air with their fragrance.
Today I saw the first Horned Lizard, i.e., "Horned Toad" of the year as well as the first sighting of a pair of Lark Buntings (photo attached). Numerous lizards were out as was a single fairly large feral hog that I inadvertently spooked while hiking. Fortunately, he ran away from me rather than toward me.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at nearby campsites.
Water, shade and info kiosk are available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 4/17/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.10 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.7 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.3 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 65, ended at 85. Overcast then partially sunny with steady 5-10mph SW wind.
Easy hike along dry, easy to traverse, maintained trails. I saw two large groups of deer at the beginning of the hike but then no other animals were spotted. Birds were more numerous and I saw a group of Cedar Waxwings near the park entrance on Tasajilla Flats Trail. Scissortail Flycatchers were spotted in a half a dozen locations and Kingbirds were also spotted. Numerous flowers of yellow, blue and purple were scattered all along the park area. Bee bush is just beginning to blossom as well.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and abicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade are available at numerous campsites along Roadrunner Loop. There are three info kiosks and toilets along Roadrunner Loop as well.
South Shore - Playground Parking Area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 3/26/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.70 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg1 - Playground Parking Area > Chaparral > Tally Valley > Horny Toad (N) > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.3 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 > Playground Parking Area 2.8 miles
Temp started at 66, ended at 80. Heavy then lighter overcast. Wind from West at 5-10mph.
Easy hike along dry easy to traverse trails. Saw a couple of deer families and one cottontail rabbit. Birds were more numerous, singing for mates. I spotted this year's first Vermillion Flycatcher at a distance (photo attached). Not much was going on today, the hike was enjoyable though!
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground Parking Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Armadillo to Cougar Overlook Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 3/22/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.50 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek (E) > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail (N) > Flintstone > 5 Points Junction 4.5 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone Trail (N) > Cougar Overlook > service road (W) > River Bend (S) > 5 Points Junction 2.6 miles
Leg 3 - 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (E) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.4 miles
Temp started at 47, ended at 80. Sunny w/light 0-5mph SW breeze changing to 10-15mph West and NW winds.
Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. One white tail deer was spotted and some birds. LOTS of people on the trails today as it was a Saturday and nice weather, once it warmed up. Birds were singing for mates, a few were photographed but nothing spectacular (photo attached). Flowers are appearing, particularly small yellow flowers and small bunches of purple-ish flowers. The agaritas are still blooming as well. Overall a pleasant hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
South Shore - Playground to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 3/12/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.50 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking Area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.6 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking Area 2.9 miles
Leg 3 - Playground Parking Area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground Parking Area 3.0 miles
Temp started at 51 and ended at 81. Mostly sunny with haze then partly cloudy. Steady 10-15mph West wind increasing to 20-25mph while on Leg 3.
East hike on dry trails. Only animals spotted were a few deer in a few places. The birds are singing for mates and the agarita bushes are covered with yellow flowers releasing a heady scent. A few people were on the trails but it was not crowded by any stretch of the imagination.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playround Parking Area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water and shade available at various campsites around Roadrunner Loop and there are three stations where water, toilets and info kiosks can be found.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 3/7/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 10.30 Miles
Duration: 5 hours, 15 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > Playground Trail > Bell's Point > Playground Trail > Flintstone> 5 Points Junction > River Bend Trail > service road (NW) > Cougar Overlook 4.6 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Flintstone (S) > 5 Points Junction > Turkey Creek > Potts Creek (W) > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 5.7 miles
Temps started at 60, ended at 80. Fairly steady 5-10mph NW breeze. Sunny skies
Easy hike along dry easy to traverse trails. Only animnals seen were some deer at the park entrance. Birds - not many but I saw a Northern Flicker at some distance (photo attached) away and then he took off. Haven't seen flickers for a few years so seeing one was nice. One good thing is that the agarita bushes are blooming in more places and with the steady wind the scent of the blooms was more noticeable than before. A very heady aroma!
There are still spots of water here and there for the birds and animals but the ground is otherwise dry as we are in a severe drought with no relief in sight. This brings up something to consider if you hike the park - with the prolonged dryness the soil on the trails is, and will continue to be, dry and loose which means a twisted ankle if you are not careful. There are many places where the topsoil is thin to non-existent and depending on the trail, it is easy for your foot to slip on the loose soil.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/25/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.40 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > DInosaur Trail (S) > Lower Big Hill > North Scenic Loop > service road (W) > Badlands > park road (N) > Upper Ghost Camp Trail > service road (W) > River Bend (S) > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 6.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > service road (N) > Lower Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.2 miles
Temp started at 50 and damp, ended at 80 and dry. Sunny with a steady 5-10mph SSW wind.
Nice hike along trails that were easy to see and traverse. A few "rare" birds were seen - a Caracara (photo attached) last spotted 10-15 years ago, a pair of Killdeer which have been absent for a few years, a Kingfisher and others. Only animals spotted were some deer as I drove in.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available in nearby campground.
Water, shade, and an info kiosk are available at Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.
South Shore - Playground Parking Area to Armadillo Ridge Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/15/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 2.8 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Burkett Trail > Potts Creek Trail > West Potts Creek > Rollercoaster Trail 3.5 miles
Leg 3 - Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground Parking Area 3.3 miles
Temp started at 40, ended at 79. Sunny with steady 15-20 Westerly wind.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Only wildlife spotted was a herd of deer right at the park entrance otherwise, no animals were sighted. Bird activity was also at a minimum due to the high winds. I saw more agarita bushes with blooms and today, I watched a bee look for pollen (photo attached). There were more people and bikes on the trail than I normally encounter but it was not unexpected - today is Saturday and is also the last of the warm days before we are hit with another Arctic blast.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 2/8/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.40 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Talley Valley > Horny Toad (N) > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadruner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temp started at 63, ended at 83. Sunny with a fairly constant 5-10mph Westerly breeze.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Many more birds were spotted - a Loggerhead Shrike, Kestrel and a hawk were the raptors. Mockers, Phylluxia and numerous sparrows were also seen. Numerous deer, in herds of 6 to 20 as well as individual deer were also seen. What surprised me the most though was seeing two different agarita bushes with flowers (photo attached). The weather has been unseasonable warm but tonight another cold front will move through so I don't know if that will kill or merely stunt the growth. More folks using the trails which was expected with the warm, almost Spring-like weather.
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. THE WATER IS WORKING AGAIN FOR BOTH HUMANS AND EQUESTRIANS.
Water and shade are available at various campsites along Roadrunner Loop and there are three places with toilets and info kiosks along the trail.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook and Back
User:
MikeHikes - 2/2/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.00 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > Dinosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > park road to River Bend Campground > Upper Ghost Camp > Lower Ghost Camp (S) > River Bend Trail (S) > service road (NE) > Cougar Overlook 6.0 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > North SCenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Shady Trail > Bell's Trailhead 3.0 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 75. Sunny with steady 5-10mph SW breeze.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Saw a few deer (photo attached) as well as some birds but not many. There is still water in the river and it is still flowing but more of a trickle rather than a stream - nonetheless, all water is welcome! It was a pleasant day and I saw a few other folks on the trail but otherwise, not much else to say.
NOTES -
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Bell's Trailhead.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at the River Bend Campground.
EQUESTRIANS - The metal rectangular water trough at the base of the Big Hill, only has standing water in it. Recommend you use the water troughs at Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area or River Bend Campground.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park Loop + Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/25/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.90 Miles
Duration: 5 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral (N) > Winding Snake > Burkett Park 3.4 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > TTasajilla Flats > Playground parking area 3.4 miles
Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area 3.1 miles
Temps started at 33, ended at 61. Mostly sunny with steady 10-20mph SSW breeze.
Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails. The initial cold and fairly strong winds kept most of the animals and birds in place so not many were seen. As the temps warmed, they became more active. A few groups of deer were seen as were numerous smaller birds, no larger birds were spotted until the end of the hike when I saw Black Buzzards.
Not much to report except it was a nice hike!
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground Parking Area.
Shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park. IMPORTANT - WATER IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
Water and shade areavailable at campsites along Roadrunner Loop and there are three places where toilets and info kiosks are located.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to 5 Points Junction Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/18/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.50 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Burkett park > WS to LL Connector > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction 4.0 miles
Leg 2 - 5 Points Junction > Flintstone (S) > Playground > Bell's Point > Playground (S)> Potts Creek (ENE) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.5 miles
Temp started at 33, ended at 44. Clear and sunny w/5-10mph NNE winds.
Easy hike along dry and easy to traverse trails. Not many birds or animals out while hiking due to the cold. All trails were easily passable. There is still water in a few areas but lack of rainfall is hurting the environment. A few deer and a small group of javelinas were spotted as I drove out of the park.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.
Water, shade, and info kiosk available at 5 Points Junction.
Water, shade and info kiosk available at Bell's Point.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Isabel Harte Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 1/12/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 4.30 Miles
Duration: 2 hours
Route - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > service road (N) > Chaparral > Playground parking area 4.3 miles
Temp started at 44, ended at 50. Sunny w/steady 10mph Northerly wind.
Easy hike along damp to dry trails. All trails easy to see and traverse. Small birds were visible this morning as well as a small group of deer. There were more people on the trails than expected but it was not a large number, just more than expected.
LOTS of White Crowned Sparrows (photo attached). Also saw Mockingbirds, Pryluxoiia, a Loggerhead Shrike and a few Golden Fronted Woodpeckers. Weather was cool and the wind was constant but it was still a very nice hike.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parkign rea.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook - Short Figure 8
User:
MikeHikes - 1/3/2025
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 7.80 Miles
Duration: 4 hours
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > service road (W) > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road (N) > Cougar Overlook 4.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > River Bend (N) > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp (N) > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Lower Big Hill > service road (dirt) (N) > Dinosaur Trail (N) > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.6 miles
Temp started at 34, ended at 52. Sunny then overcast with a steady 5mph Northerly wind.
Easy hike along dry and familiar trails. It's been a few months since I've hiked at the North Shore. What surprised me the most is that the North Concho River has water in it and it is flowing - albeit a V-E-R-Y S-L-O-O-O-W flow but a little flow is better than no flow. Because of the cold, there was minimal animal activity except for a few deer and a Great Horned Owl sitting at the top of a bare tree.
As the day lightened, more birds were seen including Cardinals and ducks (photo attached) but not in great numbers.
This was the first hike for the year -
Starting mileage - 4636.7
Avg hike distance - 8.05
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are availabvle at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade are available at nearby campsites.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at the River Bend Campground.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 12/30/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 9.60 Miles
Duration: 4 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > Roller Coaster 3.3 miles
Leg 2 - Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Potts Creek > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park 3.5 miles
Leg 3 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake >Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.8 miles
Temp started at 50, ended at 80. Sunny with a 10-15mph Westerly breeze.
Relaxing hike along dry and familiar trails. NUMEROUS deer were seen south of Burkett Park. Quite a few birds were out as well including hawks (photo attached), a Great Horned owl, various small birds and some large flocks of black birds traveling to the lake.
Nothing really happened - it was just a relaxing hike.
FINAL HIKE OF 2024 -
Miles at beginning of year -- 4298.3
Miles at end of the year --- 4636.7
Miles hiked for the year --- 338.4
Number of hikes for year --- 41
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.
South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park (Short Loop)
User:
MikeHikes - 12/25/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 5.80 Miles
Duration: 3 hours
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Horny Toad Trailhead > Horny Toad> Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park 3.0 miles
Leg 2 - Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Playground parking area 2.8 miles
Temps started at 50, ended at 58. Overcast then clearing to sunny skies and light breeze.
Easy hike along dry and familiar trails. Bird activity was good and we saw a Loggerhead Shrike, Kestrel, Mockers, Meadowlarks, Phyrluxxia, Sparrows, a Curved Billed Thrasher and white crowned sparrows. A few deer were seen as well as a lone Cottontail Rabbit.
Good relaxing hike!
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water, shde, info kiosk and dry toilets availavle at Burkett Park. EQUESTRIANS - the horse trough is still dry but water is available at the fountain.
Park Mid-section - Burkett Park to Cougar Overlook
User:
MikeHikes - 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
User:
MikeHikes - 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
User:
MikeHikes - 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
User:
MikeHikes - 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
User:
MikeHikes - 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.
South Shore - Roadrunner Loop
User:
MikeHikes - 10/16/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 3.10 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area
Temp started at 57, ended at 64. Sunny with a steady ENE wind at 10-15mph.
A simple, easy exercise hike along Roadrunner Trail Loop. Nothing of import to report, just had to get out and stretch my legs. No photos for this trip.
NOTES -
Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.
Water and shade available at campsites along Roadrunner Loop. There are three stations along the trail that provide water, shade, info kiosk and toilets.
North Shore - Bell's Trailhead to Cougar Overlook - Short Lazy 8 Route
User:
MikeHikes - 10/2/2024
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Rating:
Difficulty:
Solitude:
Distance: 6.40 Miles
Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Leg 1 - Bell's Trailhead > Shady Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > North Scenic Loop > Lower Slick Rock > Lower Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > Lower Ghost Camp > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Cougar Overlook 3.2 miles
Leg 2 - Cougar Overlook > Javelina > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Ghost Camp Shortcut > Lower Ghost Camp > Upper Ghost Camp > River Bend Campground > North Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > dirt road parallel to Lower Big Hill > Rocky Creek Trail > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Bell's Trailhead 3.2 miles
Temps started at 58, ended at 80. Sunny with intermittent 0-5mph breeze.
The Monarchs are migrating! The park is on their migration path and as the temperatures warmed up, the Monarchs were very visible as they rested on the pecan trees and fed on the gayfeather flowers that are in bloom. The river still has water in it but the water is no longer flowing into the reservoir. Hopefully, we will get more rain and get the water flowing again.
Near Cougar Overlook on the return leg, I encountered three good sized feral hogs (photo attached). They began to walk toward me on Javelina Trail but when I made a noise they immediately broke contact and went back into the bush.
Not many birds were out but I spotted Curved Billed Thrashers, Scissortails, Cardinals and a few others.
All in all, an easy and very pleasant hike.
NOTES -
Info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Bell's Trailhead. Water and shade available at nearby campsites.
Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.
Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are available at Cougar Overlook.