Where to go backpacking? Fort Worth - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Spanno · 04-05-2006, 02:31 PM

Hello all. I am a former RECON Marine and my lady friend and I have decided to go backpacking. Now my idea of backpacking in is carry your own stuff and hump it to a campsite of some sort. No roads, maybe trails, a compas and a countoured map. The only place I have found that is anywhere like this is really in Big Bend. That is too far for us to drive, because I am trying to start her off with some overnighters first. I don't want to scare her off and I would like something fairly easy, but gives you the real deal if you know what I mean.

Big Bend seems more like what I have in mind, now are there any areas remotely close to Fort Worth (I.E. with in 2 to 2 1/2 hours driving diatance) that we can go that allows to carry our stuff in, set up camp and go expoloring. We had Colorado Bend in mind, but according to that forum already posted it is more like camping with tourist in drive up parking spots.

Any suggestions would be great. We are leaving next Friday of Easter weekend. I have already bought our gear and some MRE's (that is another stroy be careful on buying those things online, they dont give you what is in a real MRE, very comercialized with have the grub), lots of portable water devices, and one motivated former Marine trying to motivate his gal into the outdoors. I want her to get the idea of what it is like to survive off the land (with some exceptions of course).

Is Colorado Bend a good one, or is there somewhere else? Maybe Possum Kingdom? Also where can I buy maps with coutour lines, I want to show her how to manipulate a compass and map while we are out there?

CyberCelt · 04-05-2006, 10:14 PM

Copper Breaks SP

Lake Mineral Wells and Trailway

Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site & Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway

Lake Whitney SP - stop at Carl's Corner, Texas

My favorite, but it is a good drive from Ft. Worth:
Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway

ploddinTod · 04-06-2006, 10:04 AM

Spanno,

First off, thanks for your service to our country.
According to Mickey Little's "Hiking and Backpacking Trails of Texas", these state parks have walk-in primitive tent camping in your region:
Cedar Hill, Cooper Lake, Fort Richardson, Lake Bob Sandlin, Martin Creek, Possum Kingdom, Purtis Creek and Ray Roberts Lake.

BTW, when I order MREs I just get the entree. That ham slice when slapped on a bagel is not bad.

Spanno · 04-06-2006, 12:28 PM

Thanks for the reply everyone. I looked into it and I think we are going to go to the dinasour park in Glen Rose. I dont want to spook her on the first trip

. It is funny I have laid out all my gear on my pool table to double check what I am taking. Looking at it all I remember all the crap I use to stuff in my pack along with ammo and C4. It is lot nicer for recreation and a lot lighter. My pack is around 60 lbs. and Perry asked me if it was too heavy. I told her with another 40lbs it would be like being back in the Corps.

Thanks for the word of wisdom on the MRE's. I will just order the main dish next time and make my own little packet. Too bad we cant buy Military MRE's. I have looked everywhere to include on line but found it was illeagal to buy or sell them.

Is there anywhere I can contact for a countour lined map. I want to show her how to manipulate a map.

Alchemist2000 · 04-06-2006, 08:52 PM

Dinosaur Valley is a great park...one of my favorites for hiking. We have not actually backpacked there, but have been by some of the camping sites while day hiking. Do be aware that you must ford the Paluxy River to get to the hiking/backpacking/mountain bike trails. That is rarely a problem unless there have been serious rains. Many people just wade through the water since it is not deep at the trail crossing. I did not want to get my hiking boots that wet. I have always used the stepping stones and rock hopped across with the aid of my hiking pole and not had a problem despite the fact that I am not very spry.

BTW, if you have the opportunity, notice that there are a large number of trails on the large map near the parking area that are not on the paper map handed out at the gate or on the web. This unpublicized northern part of the park is higher in altitude and has some spectacular views that are not seen by many park visitors.

CyberCelt · 04-07-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spanno

Is there anywhere I can contact for a countour lined map. I want to show her how to manipulate a map.

I am adding map sites to my website. Have found some good places. Check it out.

toejam · 04-12-2006, 06:24 AM

Allow me to insert my standard blurb about Dino Valley being a great place to dayhike or car camp with the kids, but a sorry backpacking destination. Lake Mineral Wells has a lot more land to explore with a compass, a lot fewer mountain bikes, and a nice quiet backcountry camping area.

Find where ever you are going on Topozone.com and print your own maps.

I think the standard evolution of backpacking meals is MREs - expensive dehydrated Mountain House/Backpackers Pantry meals from gear stores - much cheaper dehydrated noodles/rice and foil pouch meat from WalMart - bulk dehydrated gourmet stuff from new age health food stores.

Have a great trip - you are going to love the transition from G.I. overkill to modern lightweight backpacking gear.

Texas Explorer · 04-14-2006, 03:42 PM

I would also like to thank you for your service to our country...well done!

I had to post because, though I love Dinosaur Valley, it really is not the best place to go backpacking, especially if you want to be alone.

My vote is with Big Bend National Park.

But then, I do like CyberCelt's suggestions also. I live in Cleburne and I would select Lake Whitney over DVSP out of those choices. In fact, I backpacked from my front door to Lake Whitney a couple of years ago.