Pitmaster's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 3 (Rank: 204th)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 4.80 Miles (Rank: 604th)
Average Distance: 1.60 Miles

Average Rating: 3stars (3.29)
Average Difficulty: 2point5stars (2.66)
Average Solitude: 2point5stars (2.55)

Earliest Log Entry: 12/3/2013
Latest Log Entry: 12/11/2013

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

Photos
Solitary Bench

A short off-shoot trail brings you to this secluded spot with a view of a valley in the park. [Cedar Ridge Preserve]
Log Entries
PossumHaw Trail
Cedar Ridge Preserve - 12/11/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 0.90 Mile Duration: 45 minutes

Despite being one of the shortest trails, I find this to be one of the prettiest ones here at the the Dallas Nature Center (recently renamed by the Audobon society). 

I chose this trail today because the recent ice storm was just now thawing out and I wasn't sure of the trail conditions.  While not a long hike, I got quite a workout negotiating the mostly icy trail, yet the beauty of the frozen landscape was spectacualar!

Cedar Brake Trail
Cedar Ridge Preserve - 12/4/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.40 Miles Duration: 50 minutes

I hike this trail a lot as it a perfect length for a weekday workout.  It has varied surfaces, elevations and landscape.  There are no real vistas on this trail, although they have recently added a short side trail with a bench overlooking one of the valleys in the park.  While most of this trail can be hiked after rain, there is one small stretch where the "gum-mud" holds water and permanently adheres to boots and clothing if the area has not sufficently dried.
 

Quick getaway in South Dallas
Cedar Mountain Preserve - 12/3/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A

Albeit short, this trail is perfect when you want to take a short hike but still enjoy nature.  While you can hear the highway for the first and last quarter mile, the rest of the trail is relatively peaceful.

Only real problem with this trail is that it takes many weeks to dry out after significant rainfall.  Trying to hike this trail while muddy will be a miserable experience.