Nice day hike. Area at west end of lake is damp.

rmtjr has not uploaded any photos with this log entry.
User: rmtjr - 2/16/2005

Location: Meridian State Park

Rating: 2stars
Difficulty: 1star  Solitude: 3point5stars
Miles Hiked: 4.00 Miles  Elapsed Time: N/A

Comments: I overnighted at campsite #25. Primitive campsites can be reached by hard surfaced road. There is little road traffic, because the perimeter road does not go all the way around the lake. The staff has done a good job of marking a trail to an alternate stream crossing above where a bridge washed out. You might get your feet wet at the alternate crossing, but there is a convenient log upstream. Be wary of the buzzards roosting in the trees on the southwest side of the lake. The trail goes right under the roosting trees. Phew! Poop all over the ground. The road walk up to Shinnery Ridge is the toughest part of that trail. The ridge trail is flat. The trail connecting the two side of the ridge trail that shows on the park map does not exist any longer. The steepest climb on either the Bosque Hiking Trail or the Shinnery Ridge Trail is the road walk between pavilion #6 and the pavilions #12-18. Water was going over the spillway both times I've been at the park and the ranger recommended I use the road starting at the south end of the dam to campsite 23. I accessed the creek near campsite 22 and walked upstream until the informal path was blocked by trees. The climb out of the stream bed was challenging! I did not try any other trails in the park. The ranger said that they did not get much use and were yet to be cleared for this season. Nice, nice restrooms and showers on the lake near pavilion #1. Soda machines there too.

Area around Meridian State Park
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