kai

yup- i didn't plan on rain, and it poured. the tent leaked. my pack just about doubled in weight as I hiked up and down 2 mountains in the pouring, 50 degree rain.

vettech2112

Thanks! I hope I haven't been too much of a pest. When I return, I'll upload some of the better pics to this site, and maybe even a link to my personal photo site that will have a larger selection of pics, as well as pics from Aransas NWP & Enchanted Rock SP.

Incidentally, you and I are in the same neck of the woods. I'm right by Ellington.

Thanks to Shannon's hard work here, I've gotten a lot of ideas for quick day trips as I'll have all my weekdays free from May 6th thru mid-July... lots of time to go hiking! Tod, you have any faves that are within 3-4 hours of Houston? I've done Brazos Bend and plan to again as a warm-up hike (and to break in the new hiking boots) but would love any other suggestions you may have. Is there anywhere worth going in the W part of Louisiana?

Thanks for everyone's help.

ploddinTod

Ed,
My favorite day hike destination is the Lone Star Trail (see my LST trip report on these Hiking/Backpacking forums). There's a club that maintains the trail and schedules hikes. Go to LSHTclub.com for maps, directions, and more.
I also like Lake Houston State Park (New Caney exit off of US 59, NE of town). They have a nice trail system with primitive campsites.
Don't know anything about Louisiana trails. In my mind, that's pirogue country.
East of Houston is the Big Thicket with numerous trails, although I've never been there.

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PloddinTod

vettech2112

Lake Houston SP is high on my ever-growing list of places to go spend a day-hike. I'm already planning about a day-hike a week (weather permitting) while I'm on break from class with one or two more 3-4 night trips on the list as well... trouble is where, they all seem like great picks.

What made me think of looking to Louisiana is the distance I'm already willing to put in for Hill Country SNA. There are at least 2 nice looking (from their site at least) state parks in LA within 3 hour's drive of Houston. I guess somehow crossing the state line makes it seem farther. I have to say, though, that the folks in LA could learn a thing or two from TPWD on making a useful website. It also seems that LA parks are planned around fishing, fishing and oh yeah, fishing. Not much regard to the hikers/bikers.

kai

i found last year that most of the state parks on the culf coast seem to revolve solely around fishing, with little regard to things like hiking or biking. it was a bit discouraging...

ploddinTod

Yeah, Sportsman's Paradise to them means fisherman's paradise. That's why I don't give La. much thought when it comes to hiking trails. Me-Oh-My Crawfish Pie........etc, etc....

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PloddinTod

toejam

Ya know, Hill Country is small enough you could leave most of your supplies in the car and go back a couple times a day for water etc. I only carry lots of water when there are lots of miles and elevation between my car & camp. Your car is a short stroll away at Hill Country.

And I'm not sure what you think you need a cooler for - what ever it is could probably be substituted for something that doesn't need to stay cold. Cheese sticks say keep refrigerated on the pack but they are good for at least a week in the woods.

One place I'd love to spend some time at on the coast is Matagorda Island SP. I'd like to kayak out there. But it's over 2 miles from the ferry dock on the north side of the island to the primative sites on the beach, so you could really backpack there if you don't ride the shuttle. No fresh water there I think, so you'd be carrying it - one of the reasons I'd kayak.