The Houston Marathon Weekend - HATS Segment ~10.8 Miles

Join the four major Meetup walking groups in Houston on a joint quest to complete a marathon of hikes on the same weekend as the official Houston Marathon.

Look for the four hikes with
1. Thursday Evening Houston Urban Trekkers
2. Friday Evening NEO Houston
3. Saturday, Houston Area Trails and More,
4. Sunday, City Walks Houston

The idea is to complete the four segments over the weekend so you can brag on Monday that you did a marathon over the weekend.

No need to say which marathon.

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.
We hike about 3 MPH. This is faster than many walking groups.

Hike Safety:
Hiking is supposed to be fun. If you don't feel well or can't keep up, tell someone right away. Stop walking so it doesn't become something serious. Contact the hike leader. We can help get you off the trail.
Tom: 832-439-5797

What to You Need:
Supportive sports shoes, water, snacks and a hat.

Weather:
Click Here

COMMUNITY CARPOOL:
TBD

Gathering Point:
There is no precise address for the trailhead. 2443 Farm to Market Rd 1488 is the closest.
Google Map Link
This is a small parking lot. Park on the shoulder or the shopping center across the street where we are going for the after hike lunch.
Directions to Woodson's for overflow parking

The Hike:
Jones Forest a annual favorite for HATs. It is a managed research forest and habit to protect endangered native woodpecker. This hike covers the perimeter trails of the reserve using the wide roads that divide the research sections and the occasional single tacks through the woods.

Jones Forest is actively used for horse riding. Keep an eye out and give them plenty of room.

Bathrooms:
There are no bathroom at the trailhead or along the hike. Use a service station on the way to the hike.

The Trail:
A mix of improved double track trails and native material single track trails that maybe overgrown.

Sun Exposure:
Partly shady with sun on some of the wider trails.

Hike Map:
In the photos.

Geolocated Maps:
Click Here

After Hike Event:
Woodson's Local Tap + Kitchen
Just across the highway.
2330 Farm to Market Rd 1488, The Woodlands, TX 77384
Google Maps Link

About The Park:
https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/jones-state-forest/
W.G. Jones State Forest is one of the nation’s largest working urban forests. The primary purpose of this forest is resource education. Sound scientific forest management that protects and perpetuates native flora and fauna is practiced. Demonstration and research areas have been installed to test various forest management techniques, forest genetics, and forest product utilization studies.
Jones State Forest is surrounded by Conroe, The Woodlands and unincorporated Montgomery county on all sides. Each year, approximately 80,000 people visit the forest.
The forest’s location and special ecological distinctiveness makes it one of the region’s unique resources for showcasing research and demonstration in urban forestry issues, environmental education, atmospheric studies, and a host of other opportunities with tomorrow’s leaders, improving communities’ health and outdoor nature connections, and connecting diverse community members to the benefits of natural resource conservation through continuing education.

More about where we hike:
Houston Area Hikes
List of hikes we have made