What we’re about
This group is for people who want to explore the the Houston area on foot. We hike every weekend. Our hikes are normally 10-12 miles so a reasonable fitness level is needed. We plan camping trips around Texas with occasional trips to National Parks and other special hiking location.
HATs leaders are fellow hiking enthusiast, not guides. We encourage all members to plan for hikes as if they are going solo as the best way to assure safety.
To find out more about our hikes and what you may need to prepare for a hike. https://www.hatsandmore.org/
See our Houston hikes map for more on where we hike.
https://www.hatsandmore.org/houston-hikes
Then join us to trace out your own path on the map.
Join us for less intensive activities at our social Meetup group, More and More.
https://www.meetup.com/More-and-More/
If you know of places to hike or you'd like to revisit a favorite hike, please let Tom know. If you are visiting Houston and want to hike with us, let Tom know in advance and we will try to accommodate you.
HATs is friendly with other Meetup groups that also offer great outdoor activities.
Houston Urban Trekkers
https://www.meetup.com/HoustonUrban-Trekkers/
City Walks Houston
https://www.meetup.com/city-walks-houston/
Upcoming events
22
Lone Star Trail: Seg. 6: Lake Conroe Loop, 10.3 miles
Lone Star Trail Trailhead #6, Parking lot, Montgomery, TX, USThis is a great hike in the woods with over 80% shade so come and get 10 miles closer to finishing the HATS Lone Star Trek and enjoy the walk in the forest as the seasons turn.
About HATs and our hikes
Useful HATS websiteHEAT PRECAUTIONS:
The heat index is always a factor in Texas. Consider your heat tolerance. Start the day well hydrated and bring at least a third more water than you carry in cooler weather. Three liters is not a bad idea.If you don't feel well or find that you can't keep up, tell someone right away. We can help. But stop walking so it doesn't become something serious.
HATs organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
Gathering Place:
Lone Star Trail Trailhead #6
Parking lot, Montgomery, TX 77356
LSHT Trailhead #6 on FM 1375 by Lake ConroeThe Hike:
The hike is a mix of forest service roads, trails through the woods. Also included are a section of motocross trails, which can be very demanding. Also, common sense requires us to get off the trail every time a motorbike comes along.Special Note: Any hikers with the Avenza Maps App are encouraged to download the file: Lake Conroe Loop.pdf
Pdf hike mapand email the PDF file to your iPhone. Open the pdf in your phone and "share" it with Avenza Maps. That way you can see exactly where you are on the geolocated map during the entire hike. (Thanks Tom)
The Trail:
The hike is on the typical sand soils native to the region and on the SHNF trails, forest service roads, and other.Forecast :
Weather by the lakeSee all the Lone Star Hiking Trail segments:
HATS Lone Star Trail ProjectMaps of this segment:
More mapsHow close are you to completing the Lone Star Trail?
Link to LSHT Progress ChartAfter Hike Event:
B-52 Brewing Co.
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
(936) 447-467753 attendees
HATs 15th Anniversary Hike - Brazos Bend State Park ~ 9.5 miles
40 Acre Lake Parking, 21901 Farm to Market Rd 762, Needville, TX, USBrazos Bend - where it all began on Saturday, November 13, 2010, the cosmos aligned to witness the birth of a legend and the forging of a tradition. A monumental hike was embarked upon, and from its crucible, Hugo ascended, forevermore known as Fearless Leader!
AI enhanced wording here. So don't blame Tom or Nomi.
Join us for a celebration of our 15 years of blazing new trails in the Houston area. And more.
About HATs and our hikes:
https://www.hatsandmore.org/HATs organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get the hike started. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness level to make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
Safety:
Hiking is supposed to be fun. If you don't feel well or can't keep up, tell someone right away and stop walking so it doesn't become something serious. Speak to someone immediately and contact the hike leader. We can help get you safely off the trail.If you notice someone having difficulty walking, stop and talk to them. If there is any doubt in you mind, contact the hike leader.
Nomi 281 250 0305
Park Entry:
Pre-purchase of day passes for the 8:00 AM entry period is recommended for this hike. If the weather is particularly nice they may sell out before Saturday.https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
Day passes for the entire car are free with a state parks pass.
Without a state parks pass entry is $7 per person. If you are carpooling, you can purchase a one person pass and riders can pay at the gate. Correct change cash is highly encouraged to speed up entry.
PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR ENTRY AND THE SLOW DRIVE TO THE TRAILHEAD. There may be a long wait at the gate when the weather is nice. IF YOU ARE LATE, THE GROUP MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WAIT FOR YOU.
The Hike:
A Brazos Bend Classic - The Lakes, Bogs and Swamps Hike: starting at 40 Acres Lake, Prairie trail, Live Oak trail, Pliant Slough trail to Elm lake. We will walk around Elm Lake and then visit both Horseshoe lakes, and continue all the way to the big loop, before returning to 40 Acres Lake through the Spillway.Gathering Point:
Meet at the 40 Acres Lake parking lotBathrooms:
At the gathering point.The Trail:
The hike is mostly on improved trails. Partly shaded.Weather:
Click HereHike Map:
In the photosGeolocated Maps
Click HereAfter Hike Event:
Brick House Tavern + Tap
19740 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Google Maps Linkhttps://www.brickhousetavernandtap.com/location/brick-house-tavern-and-tap-sugar-land-tx/
About The Park:
Brazos Bend State Park includes 5,000 acres of bottomland and upland coastal prairie just southwest of the rapidly expanding Houston metro area. Tallgrass prairie covers much of the western border of the park. These prairies are home to native grasses that range in height from 2 to 6 feet tall. The park prairie offers a glimpse of a once widespread, but now vanishing ecosystem. Woodlands include live-oak gallery forests and mixed bottomland hardwood forest. In places, a mature forest canopy reaches for the sky. The trees provide refueling stops for migratory birds and sanctuary for native wildlife species. The park has several types of wetlands: swamps, lakes, marshes and short-lived ponds that form on the prairies during the rainy season.
Due to its various ecosystems, the park is famous for its species diversity. Thousands of species, ranging from grasses and wild flowers to trees and aquatic plant life, grow in the park. Animal life is just as diverse. The white-tailed deer is the largest of more than 25 different species of mammals. Other mammals here include feral pigs, raccoons, squirrels, river otters, bobcats, foxes and more. About 21 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the American alligator, live in the park. Mild days in the spring and fall or any mild winter day are the best time to view reptiles or amphibians.
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