Hiking and Backpacking Trips Archives - Page 7 of 37

Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill State Park is located on the eastern shore of Joe Pool Lake approximately 20 miles southwest of downtown Dallas. The 1,826 acre park features 350 campsites near restrooms with hot showers, ample fishing and boating opportunities, over 27 miles of biking and hiking trails, and the historic Penn Farm.

I visited Cedar Hill State Park to take my dog Annie on a hike. A selection of shorts trails which combine to make a five-mile hike is located centrally near the historic Penn Farm. There are also three longer DORBA loops in the southern section of the park which cater to mountain bikers.

HAPPY HIKING!

Lake Grapevine – North Shore Trail

About Lake Grapevine

With a sprawling 8,000 acres, Lake Grapevine is mecca for boating, water-skiing, fishing, and kayaking. It features multiple marinas, campgrounds, cabin rentals and even a floating water park. Many parks (operated by the Corps of Engineers or a local municipality) and trails also surround the lake.

One of the most popular trails in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is the North Shore Trail. The 22.5 mile trail follows the north shore of Lake Grapevine beginning at Rockledge Park and ending at Twin Coves Park.

HAPPY HIKING!

Highlands Hammock State Park

After my time in Crystal River, I backtracked toward Wellington where I planned to show a horse and made a stop in Sebring. While I meant to check out the cute historic district, the Sebring International Raceway, and Maxwell Groves (an old-fashioned country store), I ended up spending the entire day in Highlands Hammock State Park.

HAPPY HIKING!

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway is one of eighty parks in the State of Texas and is operated by the Texas Parks & Wildlife. It is located just 45 minutes west of Fort Worth, approximately 1.5 hours west of Dallas, and within five minutes of Mineral Wells, a town known for its healing waters in the 1900’s.

The park includes a lake, twelve miles of trails, several campgrounds including 20 sites for equestrians, a rock-climbing area, and boat rentals from flat-bottom boats with trolling motors to paddle boards. There is also a 20-mile trailway which connects the park to Mineral Wells and the City of Weatherford.

Annie and I visited the park for hiking and hiked most of the twelve miles of trails over two days and followed the trailway toward Mineral Wells until we ran into a current trail closure.

HAPPY HIKING!

Cerillos Hills State Park

During my three-week jaunt around New Mexico, I tended to circle back toward Sandia Park one day of the weekend to visit my friend Tina. Of course, this visit also included using the washer and dryer and taking a long shower. I must have driven through Madrid, a cute town between Sandia Park (Albuquerque) and Santa Fe, three times and never stopped. As a result, I insisted we do hike nearby and go for lunch. In so doing, we visited Cerillos Hills State Park.

EXPLORE!

Three Fall Hikes Near Taos

Taos is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in north-central New Mexico. The artsy town is home to a world-class ski resort and features many outdoor activity options. As a hiking enthusiast, I checked out three trails while visiting this fall.

HAPPY HIKING!

Chaco Culture National Historical Park – Day 3

For my third full day in Chaco Culture National Historical Park I hiked to Peñasco Blanco. The trailhead to Peñasco Blanco is located at the Pueblo del Arroyo parking lot, and the 7.2-mile hike is the longest in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Aside from the length, this dog friendly hike is very easy.

EXPLORE!

Chaco Culture National Historical Park – Day 2

Hungo Pavi

For my second day in Chaco Culture National Historical Park, I visited Una Vida by the Visitor Center, Hungo Pavi, Kin Kletso, the Pueblo Alto Complex, and Pueblo del Arroyo. Due to the one-way, 8-mile driving loop in Chaco Canyon, I stopped at Hungo Pavi first.

Hungo Pavi great house is located at the mouth of Mockingbird Canyon near natural drainages, seeps, and springs. It is the most accessible great house in Chaco Culture National Historical Park. It takes little time to visit, and I popped in without Annie before continuing to my next back country hike with my crazy mutt.

EXPLORE!

Chaco Culture National Historical Park – Day 1

Chaco Culture National Historical Park features many Chacoan ruins from 1,000 years ago. President Theodore Roosevelt designated the area as a National Monument in 1907 and it became a National Historical Park in 1980. Chaco Culture National Historical Park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, gaining the designation in 1987.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park is located in the middle of nowhere New Mexico. It is surrounded by Indian land and as a result, the drive through the high desert fields to get there is sparse. The park may be reached from the south or the north.

EXPLORE!

State Sign Challenge: Colorado

Just as with the State of Washington sign, I didn’t have any trouble finding the Colorful Colorado sign. In fact, I have had this photo for some time! For those who can’t figure this costume out, I’m John Denver and Annie is weed (Rocky Mountain High)!

If you have a fun state sign photo (taken responsibly), please share. Join the challenge.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE