Ginger's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 4 (Rank: 147th)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 10.70 Miles (Rank: 306th)
Average Distance: 2.68 Miles

Average Rating: 2point5stars (2.80)
Average Difficulty: 1point5stars (1.69)
Average Solitude: 2stars (2.30)

Earliest Log Entry: 11/17/2009
Latest Log Entry: 11/28/2009

Average ratings are based on the published values and not the values entered in your own log entries.

Photos
Allen Park

Allen Park Mini Wilderness Trail [Allen Park]
Log Entries
pleasant trail thru neighborhood
Cat Hollow Trails - 11/28/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

It was an absolutely gorgeous day when we went--70 degrees F with large puffy clouds.  I thought it was very pleasant.  There wasn't much shade, though, so I think that on a typical Texas day when temps get closer to 100 it would be far too hot to walk in the afternoon. Nice gravel path with trash cans and doggie mutt mitts at the major intersections. I liked the little bat observation deck.  We went down to the fenced in cave opening, but it looked like it was blocked with a large rock.  I guess there's still enough room for the bats to come and go, though.  Startled some does on our way down there.  LOTS of cacti to be wary of if you go off trail for any reason (but there really aren't any reasons, unless you're playing the disc golf course).

Mini wilderness hike
Allen Park - 11/22/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 0.70 Mile Duration: N/A

Typical Texas trail with live oaks, limestone and cacti, but a sweet little miniature version.  Went on a damp Sunday morning and it was quiet and empty.  The edges of the park are near houses/ church, but nobody was out in their yards. Plenty of picnic spots if you're so inclined.  The ups and downs are a little trickie, but otherwise it's an easy hike.

Beaten path OFF the beaten path
Balcones Park - 11/22/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.50 Miles Duration: N/A

This is an interesting trail that runs between neighborhoods.  It is mostly paved, so it was perfect for a hike the day after rain showers.  Of course, that posed some problems where the trail was under water because the creek had risen.  The dog loved it!  4 dew claw up.  There were no people around so we let him off leash and he had a blast--wallowing in mud pits and splashing around in the creek.  The tunnels were a little creepy, but not too intimidating.  The water was high, so the water fall was very pretty. 

Maple Trail and East Trail to stairs
Lost Maples - 11/17/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

The weather was gorgeous--mid 70's.  We went on a weekday, so it wasn't too busy, but there were a lot of people on the Maple Trail.  Mostly geriatric people enjoying the colors of the trees and taking it easy.  Traffic thinned out after that .8 mile trail ended.  We went farther, but were short on time so didn't do the full East Trail.  There was some color to the trees, but they were far more magnificent last time we went.  It was pouring down rain that time, and we did the entire 4.9 miles of the East trail in a downpour, fording flash flooded streams and sipping coffee from a thermos.