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toejam · 03-27-2004, 12:04 PM

I spent some time on the Cross Timbers Trail last week. Here's the report:

The Cross Timbers Trail is a real backpacking trail, to my surprise. It has steep hills, views, and solitude. There are long stretches where the trail goes through beautiful, dense woods. There is a pretty public campground (Juniper Point West) at the east end, a run-down marina (Rock Creek) at the west end, and two marina/resorts (Cedar Bayou & Paw Paw Creek) in the middle. So it’s not like a large wilderness area, but the stretch from Cedar Bayou, 2.5 miles into the trail, to Paw Paw Creek, 9 miles in, is a great, quiet place for hiking and camping.

From Paw Paw Creek to Rock Creek the trail passes through public use areas where locals drive over rough dirt trails for uninhibited debauchery and littering. This section of the trail also lacks the steep hills and bluff-top views of the trail to the east. I recommend avoiding this part of the trail altogether. There is a lot of trash on the shore of Lake Texoma because this is Party Central every warm weekend of the year. The Cross Timbers Trail is pretty clean, however – a testimony to the ethics of the hikers who use it.

I paddled a kayak from Juniper Point to the cove just to the west of Eagles Roost camping area where I set up camp for 3 nights, hiked, kayaked, and mostly enjoyed a lot of quiet time alone. The kayak allowed me to bring 4 gallons of fresh water and a comfortable camp chair that I couldn’t have brought in a backpack.

It is hard to find information about this trail – I still haven’t figured out who is responsible for it. Last September the campground host at Juniper Point East told me I could park at the trailhead and backpack for free, no permit required. There is no trail register at the Juniper Point campground. The trailheads at the marinas and the Paw Paw Point boat ramp have trail registers and a map that says you need a camping permit from an office at an undisclosed location. It also describes designated camping areas Lost Loop, Five Mile, and Eagles Roost. These camping spots are not physically marked in any way along the trail, although the trail itself is clearly marked by a hodge-podge of signs, white, blue or red painted blazes, orange reflectors, and plastic ribbon of assorted colors. I didn’t have a permit and never saw anybody on the trail. Juniper Point campgrounds were closed, so I couldn’t get any help from them. I camped in an established spot where I couldn’t leave any more of a trace. I’ve e-mailed the people at www.laketexoma.com for more information. As much as people abuse the shores of Lake Texoma, I seriously doubt that a conscientious backpacker would be bothered by authorities anywhere along the Cross Timbers Trail.

03-27-2004, 12:04 PM	#3
toejam Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Granbury, TX Posts: 221	Re: Lake Texoma Cross Timbers Trail I spent some time on the Cross Timbers Trail last week. Here's the report: The Cross Timbers Trail is a real backpacking trail, to my surprise. It has steep hills, views, and solitude. There are long stretches where the trail goes through beautiful, dense woods. There is a pretty public campground (Juniper Point West) at the east end, a run-down marina (Rock Creek) at the west end, and two marina/resorts (Cedar Bayou & Paw Paw Creek) in the middle. So it’s not like a large wilderness area, but the stretch from Cedar Bayou, 2.5 miles into the trail, to Paw Paw Creek, 9 miles in, is a great, quiet place for hiking and camping. From Paw Paw Creek to Rock Creek the trail passes through public use areas where locals drive over rough dirt trails for uninhibited debauchery and littering. This section of the trail also lacks the steep hills and bluff-top views of the trail to the east. I recommend avoiding this part of the trail altogether. There is a lot of trash on the shore of Lake Texoma because this is Party Central every warm weekend of the year. The Cross Timbers Trail is pretty clean, however – a testimony to the ethics of the hikers who use it. I paddled a kayak from Juniper Point to the cove just to the west of Eagles Roost camping area where I set up camp for 3 nights, hiked, kayaked, and mostly enjoyed a lot of quiet time alone. The kayak allowed me to bring 4 gallons of fresh water and a comfortable camp chair that I couldn’t have brought in a backpack. It is hard to find information about this trail – I still haven’t figured out who is responsible for it. Last September the campground host at Juniper Point East told me I could park at the trailhead and backpack for free, no permit required. There is no trail register at the Juniper Point campground. The trailheads at the marinas and the Paw Paw Point boat ramp have trail registers and a map that says you need a camping permit from an office at an undisclosed location. It also describes designated camping areas Lost Loop, Five Mile, and Eagles Roost. These camping spots are not physically marked in any way along the trail, although the trail itself is clearly marked by a hodge-podge of signs, white, blue or red painted blazes, orange reflectors, and plastic ribbon of assorted colors. I didn’t have a permit and never saw anybody on the trail. Juniper Point campgrounds were closed, so I couldn’t get any help from them. I camped in an established spot where I couldn’t leave any more of a trace. I’ve e-mailed the people at www.laketexoma.com for more information. As much as people abuse the shores of Lake Texoma, I seriously doubt that a conscientious backpacker would be bothered by authorities anywhere along the Cross Timbers Trail.