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
20
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.
Text and links about the place.64 attendees
Lone Star Trail, Seg. 9: Hugo's Point Hike, 10.3 miles
JHWG+9P Huntsville, Huntsville, TX, USTHIS WILL BE A SHUTTLE HIKE SO YOUR COOPERATION IS APPRECIATED. People with large vehicles are asked to help out by shuttling other walkers over to the hike's start point.
I will be carpooling from Judson Robinson Community Center at 2020 Hermann Drive, leaving at 6:45, everyone gets a ride or a rider.
Expecting snow? Probably not if the weather people are right.
It could be cold so bring the right clothes and hope for the best.
This hike is another segment of the Lone Star Trail. The walk includes hiking along the highway, on trails, and forest service roads and includes the highest point on the trail, around 460 feet above sea level. We are currently in our sixth cycle of walking the complete Lone Star Hiking Trail.
This is a Shuttle Hike so cars with good passenger capacity are needed at the other end. We will work out the details on the day of the hike.
Also, bring a mask for the shuttle ride, and wear your orange for the hunters.
About HATs and our hikes
https://www.hatsandmore.org/HEAT 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.
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.
Carpool leaving at 7:00 AM sharp from
Judson Robinson, Jr. Community Center.
2020 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Google Map LinkAll Maps: Special Note: Any hikers with the Avenza Maps App are encouraged to download the file:
Hugo's Point.pdf Geolocated map of today's hikeand 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)
See all the Lone Star Hiking Trail segments:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1--T_vgt48uPog4J-Gq9OmeZ7CSkwKCWJHow close are you to completing the Lone Star Trail?
Link To LSHT Progress ChartGathering Place: For directions from Houston, take I-45 north. Take exit 102 for New Waverly and go east. Take 75 north and then take 2296 north. Finally, take right at Four Notch road. Parking is on Forest Service Road 213. Or map direction to 'Four Notch Hunters Camp'.
Map to gathering place
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3LFR2WQMpkrK7NMp6The Hike: The hike is a 10.3 mile shuttle hike that follows the LSHT. The route is through the shaded woods, along the roadside over the sandy soils of the region. Bring bug spray, your favorite walking shoes, and plenty of water and have a great hike in the woods.
About HATs and what you need to hike:
https://www.hatsandmore.org/Weather Forecast:
Click HereFrom 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."
https://www.wildernesspress.com/product.php?productid=16836
After Hike Event:
TBA
17 attendees
Pedernales Falls State Park - Wolf Mountain 10 Mi
Pedernales Falls State Park , 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnston City, TX, USJoin us to explore Pedernales Falls State Park. One of my favorite parks to hike, the Wolf Mountain area has more miles than we will hike this weekend. The trail is rocky, partially shaded, and has many views of hill country.
Pedernales Falls is famous for the Falls. Located at the far end of the park, be sure to stop there before or after this hike.
Pedernales Falls is located one hour west of Austin and one hour east of Fredericksburg. See the camping event Friday and Saturday night.
Pedernales Falls State Park requires a day pass. This park can sell out so reserve one in adavance.
Gathering Place:
After You enter the park follow Park Road to the Wolf Mountain trailhead. There is a large parking lot.The Hike:
We will hike counter clockwise along the horse trail, Juniper Ridge trail, Jones Spring trail and Wolf Mountain Loop back to the parking lot.Bathrooms: At the start and 2 miles from the end.
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/47 attendees
Past events
1339
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