toejam

I found and hiked the eastern few miles of this trail last fall. I'd like to camp at Eagles Roost or one of the other bluffs. Does anybody have any personal experience on this trail?

copuswalker

I thought about hiking it last year. If I remember correctly it crossed a lot of roads and marinas etc.
I was told it was not a quiet trail. Please fill us in when you get back!

__________________
There are those that hike and those that don't and those that say they will but won't.

toejam

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.

tbaurqst5

Just got back from a overnighter on this trail. I have to say coming from california and hiking many trails there, this one is pretty good for texas. Its a bit confusing because they have changed the trail this past winter. If you start at Juniper point about 1 1/2 miles in you will come to a sign that says "lost loop" and points to the left. Someone carved to the top of it "False" What this sign is saying is go this way to go towards Lost loop. (this is not the lost loop). If you go this way it by passes the Cedar Boyou Mariana. You will come up to a road you have to cross and then your back on the trail. Some of the trail is marked very well, and then other parts of the trail are very hard to find. but overall, we found our way to five mile camp and it was a great aventure.

cconat2000

I have backpacked the Cross Timbers Trail several times and love it.

It has always seemed to be kind of a forgotten trail. Hardly anyone seems to know about it. You don't have to register or pay anything. I have never seen any kind of authority on the trail, and I doubt there ever is any. If you live in North Texas or southern Oklahoma, it is a great trail that you can hit on a last-minute whim and know that you don't need to worry about reserving anything, hurrying to get the best site, etc.

And Eagle's Roost is absolutely beautiful.

TalbotGrad

I'd like to backpack this trail with my son. Can anyone give me some sources where I can find how to find the trailhead, where I can get a map etc?

I lived in north texas for 6 years now after 20 years in Washington state.
Finding a place this close is very attractive to me.

Thanks

Larry

Troop198

Here are two links, probably better ones out there, there is a neat book called Hiking and Backpacking Trails of Texas by Mickey Little that has lots of info state wide or just the area you want. We got the book at Barnes & Nobel in the texas travel section

http://www.texashiking.com/Hiking/Hi...spx?HikeID=462

http://www.cedarbayou.com/cross_timbers.asp

TalbotGrad

Thank you very much! I will check those out.

Where is your troop based?


Larry Watts

Vaughn

I'll be hiking this trail next weekend. Hopefully I can give a report that will help you out.

Vaughn

I couldn't have asked for better weather this weekend on this trail. It wasn't as isolated as I would like, because you pass a couple of houses and there are a few boats on the lake. You have to watch your step in a couple of places, for the edges have crumbled away and the trail quite literally goes off the edge of a cliff. All in all, a good backpacking trail and nice scenery.