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- Seabrook Trails Hike 8.5Miles1109 Hammer St, Seabrook, TX
Join us to explore The NASA area at Seabrook.
The hike: we'll follow the trails through Seabrook to visit most of the parks in this small city. Starting from Miramar Park then to Meader Park, Hester Garden Park, Baybrook Park, Robinson Park, Seabrook Wildlife Refuge, Friendship Park, Pine Gully Park, and Carothers Coastal Gardens. Finally, back to Miramar Park.
Meeting Place: Look for the group in The parking lot.
Bathrooms: At the start
The Trail: some shade at the start then mostly open, the trail is light gravel & dirt.
Trail Map: click here:
Forecast: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=29.5663&lon=-95.0216&FcstType=text)
Optional After Hike event: Tookie's Seafood Bar & Grill
1106 Bayport Blvd, Seabrook, TX 77586
https://tookiesseafood.com/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/ - Lone Star Trail Seg. #2: N. Wilderness Loop ~11.4 MilesLone Star Trail Trailhead 3, Montgomery, TX
More walking in the woods including miles through the Little Lake Creek Wilderness.
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.
COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID. We have had a COVID spreading incident in a carpool and recommend that you don't carpool.Gathering Place:
Lone Star Trailhead #3.
Directions to Trail Head #3
8626G76J+4XCall or text Tom at 832-439-5797, or Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.
The Hike:
We will follow short sections of the LSHT and the Little Lake Creek Loop and the complete distance of the North Wilderness Crossover, West Fork and Sand Branch loops.The hike is over the sandy soils of the region and will be mostly shaded.
Weather Forecast:
Hourly
MobileHike Map:
In the photos.
Geolocated Maps:
PDF Map for use with Avenza AppAfter Hike Event:
B-52 Brewing Co.
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
Indoor and outdoor seating.
Directions to B-52 Brewing
86268CRX+7JTo find your place on your personal path to hike the LSHT, see our progress sheet. Starting with this hike, we will simplify the tally of hikes by trimming the list to include active hikers only. All you have to do is show up to be counted.
Your progress on LSHT TrekTo see the groups progress on this quest to complete the trail, see our map.
Group progress on LSHT TrekTo support work on the LSHT donate or volunteer with either of these great organizations.
The Sam Houston Trails Coalition
https://www.samhoustontrails.org/The Lone Star Trail Hiking Club
https://lonestartrail.org/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."
https://www.wildernesspress.com/product.php?productid=16836 - Annular Solar Eclipse "Hike" ~ 93 Million MilesFry Road Park & Ride, Katy, TX
This is a road trip rather than a hike. Please read the entire description.
Get yourself warmed up for the Total Eclipse in 2024.
The event meeting place and time is for the carpool. Everyone may of course drive independently.
An annular eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly in front of the sun but leaves a ring where the edge of the sun remains visible. (An annulus in Latin)
This will not be visible in Houston.
Equipment Needed:
Even a short time looking at a partially eclipsed sun can cause profound and permanent eye damage. You MUST bring glasses that are ISO certified for direct sun viewing with you.
NASA Page for Eye Safety During an Annular EclipseEveryone in my carpool must have glasses with them to get a ride.
Click here for glasses on AmazonWe will be sitting at the park for several hours. The selected park has a shelter and bathroom. But it is a small town so we don't know for sure if the facilities will be available. Bring a camp chair, sunscreen and an umbrella for shade.
Community Carpool:
Everyone gets a ride or a rider. Leaving at 7:00 AM sharp.Fry Road Park and Ride
S. Fry Road and I-10
20019 Fry Access Rd.The Hike:
We will drive to a location along the centerline of the eclipse. The planned site is a park in Natalia TX. About a three hour drive.The hike plan is to arrive at the selected site around 10 AM to set up chairs. The partial eclipse will begin about 10:30. It will become annular at 11:52AM and last four minutes. The eclipse will end about 1:40.
We will leave for lunch some time after the end of the annular portion, while the eclipse is receding. Then drive back to Houston. Hopefully arriving back before five PM.
In case of overcast skies at the prime spot, we will go to the backup location. I'll post a comment around 7:00 AM. If both are completely overcast, we can decide to cancel the hike by consensus.
Prime Site: Natalia, TX:
Haywood Park
901 6th St, Natalia, TX 78059
Google Maps Link
Weather
There is a shade structure and bathrooms in the park and several restaurants nearby if you need breakfast.Lunch:
La Pasadita Mexican Restaurant or by consensus.Backup Site: Corpus Christi:
In case cloudy weather is predicted for Natalia, the fall back is Corpus Christi. Drive to the shore and find a place to stop near Norma Urban Park. There are two restaurants in the park and appear to be public bathrooms.
Norma Urban Park
76 Peoples St T-Head, Corpus Christi
The corner is the location of the Selena Memorial Statue.Lunch:We can decide on the fly.
More About this Event:
https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eclipses/
The April 8 2024 total eclipse.
