lake grapevine

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!

The Trinity River and Its Trail System

About the Trinity River

The Trinity River rises up near the Red River in far northern Texas.  It travels 710 miles to Lake Livingston, making it the longest river in a single state.  Lake Livingston’s waters drain into Galveston Bay, an inlet to the Gulf of Mexico.

During its travels, the Trinity River converges from three branches to one near Dallas, Texas.  Growing up in Texas, as kid we only knew two things about the Trinity River.  First, during intense rainstorms in the spring, the stinky river flooded.  Second, upon hearing the words “Trinity River,” the likely question was “how many dead bodies were found,” as it passed through a very rough part of Dallas.

Consequently, you can imagine, walkers, cyclists, and nature lovers didn’t exactly spend much time in the River’s flood plain.  Fortunately, in the last fifteen years, through a few bond issues and with many partners, the City of Dallas has spent substantial resources improving the area with a few parks and a vast trail system. While it’s nothing like Colorado where I lived for the last ten years, at least it is green space without all paved sidewalks.

HAPPY HIKING!