Neville

Lake Mineral Wells SP - Mineral Wells, TX

The weather forecast was good for the weekend with daytime temps in the 80s and nighttime temps in the 50s so I figured I had better hit the trail now because the Texas heat is on it's way.

Lake Mineral Wells SP is about thirty miles west of Fort Worth and contains an eleven mile loop called the Crosstimbers Trail. Unlike the standard limestone and cedar paths of many other parks, this one is loaded with Oak, Ash, Mesquite, Pecan, Walnut, Willow, Elm and a host of other trees - plus rocks - packed into an area surrounded by the supposedly defunct Fort Wolters Army Base. The base once served as a major training depot during World War II and was the training location for Texas' own Audie Murphy. During the Viet Nam war, the fort was the primary home for helicopter pilot training and eventually ceased operation in 1975. I say 'supposedly' defunct Fort Wolters because I noticed that weapons training was happening and I was treated with the occasional staccato of weapons fire throughout the morning.

The hike is a series of 'sub loops' that ultimately form the eleven mile 'grand loop'. I snaked and twisted amongst the sub loops and climbed small ridges, forded swollen creeks (a rarity in Texas), crossed open fields and trudged through muddy walkways covered by a thick canopy of trees. I even had a decent share of 'road walking' along an abandonded highway used during the days when the Army base was open. I spent most of the day roaming through the sub loops before detouring off to the back country camp area to find a secluded spot amongst the trees. I located a nice little clearing where I set up shop and called it a day. The next morning I headed out early because yard work beckoned back at home. I had the last three miles to myself with the exception of five whitetails that were lurking around one of the meadows. A nice way to end a 'quick fix' overnight.

rockhill

Fort Wolters is indeed inactive. The gunfire you were hearing may have been coming from the gun range on the old base. It is used by gun goups as it it one of very few 1000 yard ranges. There are a lot of gun ranges where people can target practice up to a couple hundred yards, but 1000 yard ranges are rare.

Well I looked at your pictures after posting. It would seem a reserve outfit was utilizing the range. There is a private group that uses it quite often for competion shooting in excess of 600 yards. Those are the people I was referring to above.

Neville

Yeah, I was wondering if maybe one of the local reserve units uses the site from time to time. Saw quite a few of what I suspected to be craters from artillery shells too, especially around the primative camp area.

toejam

I was there the Thurs night before Neville, and trust me, Ft. Wolters was NOT inactive. Organized troops in uniforms were on the firing range until dark and were parachuting out of planes after that. On a Thursday. These were no weekend warriors like I've seen there before. It looked to me like they were headed overseas.

I've been there a bunch and always hear gunfire on weekends. I've seen planes dropping loads out the back, several different kinds of helicopters landing, tanks and armored personnel carriers driving around. Usually on weekends but once on a Friday before this.

rockhill

Fort Wolters is not an active, commisioned military installation. Indeed it is now known as Fort Wolters Industrial Park. The entrance from 80 that used to say primary helicopter base even says industrial park. As a civilian you can drive anywhere you want on what was the old base. Something you surely are not allowed to do on an active base

I do not in anyway dispute what you saw. As stated in earlier post various groups, including reserves, utilize the 1000yd rifle range.

The land that was Fort Wolters, and is now the Industrial Park is the center for economic develeopment in the area. The economy of Mineral Wells after the decline of the mineral baths in the 30's and 40's was dependent on the military. Fort Wolters went thru several name changes and roles, from prison camp to helicopter training, but was decomissioned in the late 1970's I believe. Mineral Wells SP was created in 1980 on land that once was part of the base.

As a part time citizen of Palo Pinto county just outside of the city limits of Mineral Wells, I invite you to our county/town and local state park. Mineral Wells is really a poor town, in need of restoration and tourist dollars. Please come visit us again.

It dawned on me after posting that we might be accidently debating the term "active". That was not my intent at all. Gunfire being heard on a gun range for sure qualifies as something being "active". I was going from the more formal status of "Fort" Wolters".I merely was trying to be sure folks were not frightened away from the park. It is a a safe park and one of very few, that has shown continued growth in attendance over the years

campermom

We were there last summer for just a night camping and loved it. You know how once you've been to a park, you think either "Been there, done that", or we need to go back? Well, we need to go back. The lake was so pretty, then swim beach busy but not crowded, and the views were great. We didn't thoroughly explore any of the climbing or trails. It is a far drive from San Antonio. We need a long weekend or vacation to go again, but it is on the list.

P.S. The park store is run by the nicest lady.