South Shore Playground parking area to Armadillo Ridge Figure 8

Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett park     3.7 miles

Leg 2 - Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Roller Coaster > West Potts Creek > Armadillo Trail > East Potts Creek > Burkett trail > Burkett park   3.7 miles

Leg 3 - Burkett park > Suzanne's Trail > Lanky Lackey > Nature Loop > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area     3.8 miles

Temps started at 60 and ended at 75, overcast but became sunny, steady West wind.

Walked along some trails I haven't been on since the controlled burn of a few months ago.  LOTS of the vegetation has been burned and the trails, with a few exceptions, are in much better condition, are easy to locate and traverse. The fires also made visible trash from the past when the present day trails were part of the lake bed - I picked up two bags full within the first hour of hiking.  Frustrating BUT once it's picked up, it's GONE!

There were numerous birds out and about, even though it's early Feb, it seems Spring is just around the corner. 

Saw a pair of grey foxes walking along the Winding Snake trail and took a few photos (attached). When the fox saw me it didn't panic but took a detour into the brush very calmly.

 Saw a couple of hikers and a few mountain bikers otherwise, it was just me walking, listening to the birds signing and the wind blowing.  A very enjoyable day.

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk and toilets available at Playground parking area.

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