South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park and back + Roadrunner Loop

First Texas Long-nosed Snake I've seen
Walking along Roadrunner Loop around 1030 and saw this Texas Long-nosed Snake. I used a branch to move him off the trail - he lifted his tail and acted as if it had rattles! After his demo of strength, he leisurely slithered away.
User: MikeHikes - 5/24/2021

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4point5stars
Difficulty: halfstar  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 10.30 Miles  Elapsed Time: 4 hours, 10 minutes

Comments:

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Horny Toad > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett park       3.9 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playground parking area     3.4 miles

Leg 3 -  Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area     3.0 miles

Temp started at 70, ended at 78. Overcast until last 1/2 mile then sunny.  Light and steady Southerly breeze at 5mph.

A very nice hike today!  Trails were dry, easy to see and traverse although there were some portions of Tasajilla Flats, Lanky Lackey and Winding Snake that are getting quite a bit of vegetation on them so caution is advised due to snakes.  No rattlers spotted but I did see my first Texas Long-nosed Snake (photo attached) on Roadrunner Loop.  Prickly Pear cactus blooms and all kinds of wildflowers are VERY plentiful but I didn't see any Lace Cactus flowers this time.

Quite a few birds out singing and flying about. Scissortails, hawks, nighthawks, sparrows, etc.  Animals were also diverse seeing Jack Rabbits, Cottontail Rabbits, deer and a lone Turkey hen.  Non-mammals were the snake, lizards and a large (12 inch or more wide and heavy) tortise sitting in the middle of a trail until I picked him up and moved him into the grassy area.

Overall, it was one of the better hikes I've had in quite awhile!

NOTES

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station available at Playground parking area.

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

Water and shade available along Roadrunner at the nearby campsites.  Toilets also available at a few locations.



Log Photos
First Texas Long-nosed Snake I've seen
Area around San Angelo State Park
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