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 (4+)
See all- Camp & Hike Shady Grove Campground-San Marcus River9515 FM1979, Martindale, TX
Join us for camping along The San Marcos River, the River bursts forth from the Edwards Aquifer through 200 spring openings at the bottom of Spring Lake in the heart of San Marcos, Texas. The river provides a refreshing playground for swimming, canoeing, and tubing. The San Marcos River winds through over 130 acres of parkland. The upper 3.8 miles of the headwaters provides habitat to eight endangered and threatened aquatic species, including the San Marcos Fountain Darter, Texas Blind Salamander, the San Marcos Salamander, the San Marcos Gambusia and Texas Wild Rice. Archaeologists have discovered artifacts that indicate that the area around the Springs is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in North America by human beings, dating back more than 12,000 years.
THIS IS FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY NIGHT CAMPING. RSVP HERE ONLY IF INTENDING TO CAMP WITH US. YOU CAN STAY AT A HOTEL OR MOTEL INSTEAD OR TAKE A DAY TRIP, AND JOIN US FOR THE DAY HIKES.
The CAMPSITE: This campsite is on private land. There are showers in the park and they have plenty of tent site acreage.
CAMPSITE COSTS: I have reserved the group camp site with water & electric The charge is $10 per persons per day Cash or Check No Credit Card You will pay the owners and not me at the campground when you you arrive at the campground. This will be our base for hiking at Purgatory Creek Natural Area and Lockhart State Park
Friday afternoon: arrive at the campground, setup camp.
Saturday Hike:
https://www.meetup.com/hatsandmore/events/299709845/Sunday Hike:
https://www.meetup.com/hatsandmore/events/299709839/POLICIES AND WHAT NOT:
Organizers: We (organizers) are volunteering our time sharing this event with you, please be respectful to the group. We are like minded people coming together to share our outdoor adventures with others. In no way do we offer a guided event or take any liability for your well being. Each event is well defined and describes the physical requirements, it's up to you to determine if you are capable of the event . In case of emergencies the appropriate emergency response teams will be notified. You are responsible for all your own camping gear. You must understand this before signing up.CAMPING LIST FOR BEGINNERS: https://www.hatsandmore.org/camping/packing-
- Lone Star Hiking Trail #3: South Wilderness Loop ~10.9 milesLone Star Trailhead #4, Montgomery, TX
Late Spring is here and the heat will be with us. Bring extra water. We will all be walking a bit slower as the morning goes on. On the plus side, B52 Brewery has a new indoor tap room.
Carpools are available around town. See comments below. Carpool at Judson Robinson Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004 before 6:45 to snag a ride or a rider. We leave at 6:45.
To find your place on your personal path to hike the LSHT, see our progress sheet. Starting with Quest 5, we will simplify scorekeeping by trimming the list to include active hikers only. All you have to do is show up to be counted.
HATs Lone Star Trail ScorecardGathering Point:
LSHT trailhead #4 is on FM 149, 6.7 miles north of TX 150 in Montgomery.
Trailhead #4The Hike: The route is through the shaded woods over the typical sandy soils of the region. The trail can be uneven and rough but the views off through the trees are worth it. Bug spray is a great idea.
Please use caution. The heat index is now regularly above 90° F before noon. Consider you heat tolerance and bring extra water. If you do get overheated or don't feel well, tell someone right away. We can help. Overheating can happen to anyone, stop walking if you don't feel well so it doesn't become something serious.
Hike map in the photos
Other formats here:
Segment #3 maps and moreThe Best Map: Any hikers with the Avenza Maps App are encouraged to download the file:
South Wilderness Loop PDF
and 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.Community Carpool: Look for more carpools in Comments below.
Carpool at Judson Robinson Community Center, 2020 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004 before 6:45 to snag a ride or a rider. We leave at 6:45.About HATs and what you need to hike:
https://www.hatsandmore.org/Weather Forecast:
National Weather ForecastAfter Hike Lunch:
B-52 Brewing Co.
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
Directions to B-52https://b52brewing.com/
They have a food truck or you can BYOF.From the Official Guidebook for the Lone Star Trail
"One of the hidden jewels of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the state. At 128 miles (including loop trails), it is also the state’s longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. The trail meanders through flat and gently rolling forests of pine, oak, and mixed hardwood, and cypress swamps and bayous in the famed Big Thicket area in east Texas, in the Sam Houston National Forest. The seemingly endless variation of forests, much of it designated wilderness, provides a paradise for tree-lovers and bird watchers year-round. The trail is well-suited for both short and long hikes (of up to 10 days), appealing to dayhikers, overnight backpackers, long-distance hikers, and others seeking a peaceful outing."