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- Lone Star Trail Seg #5: Kelly's Pond Summer Loop: 8.6 milesSam Houston National Forest Multi-Use Trail West Parking, Montgomery, TX
Kelly's Pond Summer Loop is a short hike at 8.6 miles but often quite challenging as we are partly on the Multi-Use Trails (MUT) and share them with the motorsports users of the National Forest trails. In addition to the sandy uplands we will check out some of the creek bottoms, flood zones, and recently renovated bridges.
Weather will be hot. The plan is to hike unless there are high winds and lightning and we will know at the start of our hike whether that will be a significant threat.
This may be the shortest hike of our seventh circuit to complete the LSHT. And the Warmest Hike of 2025. Be prepared for the extra effort. This is a relatively strenuous course through miles of creek bottom land.
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. 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:
Kelly's Pond Campground
Kelly's Pond Rd, Montgomery, TX 77356https://goo.gl/maps/twBDbo1Hkx6UjxSw6
Plus Code: 8626F8J3+G2Call or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.
The Trail:
Mostly shaded, part of the hike is on trails shared with motorcycle riders. Please listen for them and step off the trail. In our experience motor users are very courteous to hikers and we have never encountered a problem on the shared trails.The motor trails area predominantly loose sand.
Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.3939&lon=-95.533&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphicalHike map is in the photos.
More maps and tracks:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AJNr453bfClyd688JBpdL4F2HIqFurFh?usp=sharingAfter Hike Event:
B-52 Brewing Co.
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
Indoor and outdoor seating.https://goo.gl/maps/GwVSLLSCqkH2
86268CRX+7JTo find your place on your personal path to hike the LSHT?
Individual hike progress.HATs progress on our quest to hike the entire Lone Star Hiking Trail
Our current quest.COMMUNITY CARPOOL:
Look for carpooling options in the comments section. See you at the hike.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."
- Lone Star Hiking Trail: Segment 11: Hidden Lake, 8.7 milesFour Notch Hunter Camp, Huntsville, TX
No frigid blasts, no blizzard conditions, occasional bare wind-tossed trees, and not even a chance of the winter wonderland like they are currently having in Patagonia about now: It is summer on the Lone Star Trail and a good time to see and experience a great trek through the Sam Houston National Forest. Join us for all these things and 18-19,000 steps closer to finishing the HATS Lone Star Trek and enjoy the walk in the forest in the New Year.
This will be a shuttle hike (we gather at the meeting place, shuttle over to the actual starting point in a few vehicles, and hike back to the cars) so this is another chance to ride in the back of a pickup if you have not had that pleasure lately.
About HATs and our hikes
https://www.hatsandmore.org/Hike Safety:
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. Contact the hike leader. We can help get you off the trail.Alan: 713 863 8038
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:
Four Notch Hunters CampThe Hike:
This is a shuttle hike (so the first thing we will do after we arrive is drive in a few vehicles over to the starting point. Anyone who can shuttle people over is greatly appreciated.) The hike is a mix of forest service roads, trails through the woods. There is one potentially wet foot crossing of Boswell Creek and only a little bit of bushwhacking.Special Note:
Hikers are encouraged to use the Avenza Maps App. Install on your phone so you can load HATs PDF maps and track you place on the trail. See the Geolocated Maps link below.https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/
Speak to Alan or Tom for help in loading the maps.
The Trail:
This hike is about one third on a paves road. The remainder is on the typical sand soils native to the region and on closed forest service roads. About one third is on unmarked paths.Forecast :
Weather ForecastHike Map:
In the photos.
Geolocated MapsAfter Hike Event:
TBA
- 4th Annual Oxford Ranch Camping Hiking & Enchanted Rock Full Moon HikeOxford Ranch Campground, Llano, TX
Details: This will be the Base camp for the Saturday morning Llano hike and the evening Enchanted Rock Full Moon Hike
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 DAY HIKES WILL BE POSTED SEPARATELY.The CAMPSITE: This campsite is on private land. There are showers in the park and they have plenty of tent site acreage.
CAMPSITE COSTS: The charge is $8 per persons per day and it includes the showers. You will pay the owners and not me when you you show up. This campground will be our base for hiking at Enchanted Rock State Park. No reservations accepted at this place, I will try to get the group site we stayed at before.
Enchanted Rock State park:Click Here
Forecast:Click Here
Oxford Ranch Campground Website: Click Here
Friday: arrive at campsite set up camp.
Saturday Morning Llano River Hike:Click Here
Saturday Evening Enchanted Rock Full Moon Hike:Click Here
Sunday: Return to Houston
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: Click Here
- llano River Trail Hike ~ 4milesQ84C+56, Llano, TX
Join us to explore the river and historic downtown llano Texas.
https://www.llanochamber.org/Meeting Place: Look for the group in The parking lot.
The Hike: We will start at Badu park walk along the river then over the bridge to Grenwelge Park trail then walk over to the downtown courthouse and back to the cars
Bathrooms: At the start
The Trail: mostly open, the trail is light gravel & dirt.
Trail Map: See map Pic below
Forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.5663&lon=-95.0216&FcstType=text)
Optional After Hike event: Lunch at Llano's Hungry Hunter
702 W Young St, Llano, TX 78643
https://www.facebook.com/llanoshungryhunter/About HATS:
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 take if you were hiking alone, including the fitness level make long hikes. Then enjoy the hike among friends.
What to bring on a hike and more about HATs.
https://www.hatsandmore.org/
