About us
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
9
Lone Star Trail Hike #16, Big Creek Scenic Area, 11.4 miles
Lone Star Hiking Trail - Trailhead # 13, FM 2666, Coldspring, TX, USThe Hike:
The 11.5 mile loop hike that follows the LSHT, several short loops. The return uses shortcut on a nice FS road. The route is through the shaded woods over the typical sandy soils of the region.This hike is many people's favorite stretch of the whole Lone Star Hiking Trail. Miles through the open woods next to a sandy bottom creek.
Community Carpool Canceled
Nice weather is almost gone! Come on out for a walk. Big Creek Scenic Area hike is a very nice walk in the woods following a distinctive sandy-bottomed creek through the open woodlands of east Texas. It is part of the Lone Star Hiking Trail, a 96.5 mile hiking only trail through the Sam Houston National Forest. With a system of 132 total miles of trails.
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.
Gathering Place:
LSHT Trailhead # 13 We'll be obvious in the parking area. Please don't block the forest service gate.Take US 59 to Cleveland, TX. Exit for FM 2025 and turn left onto FM 2025. In 10.2 miles turn right onto FM 2666. The trailhead is 1.2 miles on the left.
Wear comfortable clothes and bring plenty of water. Bug spray and sunscreen are useful.
Forecast :
Weather at Big CreekSee our progress on Quest 7 to hike the LSHT
Google MapsHow much of the Lone Star Trail have you done already? Here is the list of hikers and segments completed on the LSHT since the first cycle started:
LSHT Hikes Completed.pdfHike Map:
In the photos
Geolocated Map:
Big Creek Scenic LoopPlease Note: HATS organizers are volunteers. Fellow hikers, not guides. Each hiker should prepare for the hike as if walking alone. Then enjoy the day in the company of friends
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 gently rolling forests of pine, oak, cypress, beech, magnolia, palmettos and mixed hardwood. The seemingly endless variation of forests, part of which is designated wilderness, provides a paradise for backpackers and trail hikers.
HATs in one of the largest users of the trail. The Sam Houston Trails Coalition has plans to improve the parking lots and build a bridge over the San Jacinto River but need our help. Donations can be made at the following link. Specify "hiking" from among the choices on the bottom.
https://www.samhoustontrails.org/make-a-donation/
Official LSHT Club:
http://lonestartrail.org/Official Park Website :
http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/texas/homeAsk about carpooling in the comments section. Lots of people like to share rides.
Optional after hike event:
TBA
61 attendees
Lone Star Hiking Trail, Seg #7: Possum Walk Out and Back, 11.9 miles
Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area, Forest Service Rd 216, Huntsville, TX, USNearly summer, and the woods are green all over. This is a nice walk from the lakeside deep into the forest with a mix of trail and quiet back roads to hike. It's not hunting season, but it is never a bad time to wear your orange regalia. The Possum Walk hike is the 1st hike in HATS' Eighth quest to hike the entire Lone Star Hiking Trail Trek. Lots of trees and shade and a nice temperature is in store.
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.
HEAT PRECAUTIONS:
The heat is always a factor . Consider your heat tolerance. Start the day well hydrated and bring at least a third more water than you carry in cooler weather. Consider bringing three liters if you are not experienced hiking in hot weather.Hiking is supposed to be fun. If you don't feel well and can't keep up, tell someone right away and stop walking so it doesn't become something serious. Call the hike leader. We can help get you off the trail.
Tom - 832-439-5797
THE HIKE: Shady woods, mostly native trails and some forest service roads
Gathering Place: We will start at 8:30 at the Stubblefield Overflow Camping area. (This is near the developed campground. Follow the provided link.)
Stubblefield Overflow Campground
Maps of our hike: Possum Walk Hike
Tom's map stashSpecial Note: Any hikers with the Avenza Maps App can download the file:
Possum Walk Hike.pdfOpen the pdf in your phone and "open in" Avenza Maps. How this works depends on your phone. With this you will always know exactly where you are. (Thanks Tom)
Weather:
Stubblefield Local Weather ConditionsThe Trail: A somewhat strenuous hike with some uneven ground through the creek beds. There are a few false leads on the trail so always keep an eye on the rectangular white trail blazes along the trail.
Hike Map in the photos.
Find you place in your personal quest to hike the entire LSHT with us.
Link to LSHT Progress ChartAfter Hike Event:
B52 Brewery in Conroe
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
Directions to B5235 attendees
Lone Star Trail Seg. #12: Big Woods North ~10 miles
Big Woods Hunters Camp, John Warren Rd,, Cold Spring, TX, USWe are now meeting at the Big Woods Hunters Camp on John Warren Road. See the links below.
This would be a great time to wear your high fashion Hiker's Orange!! If you dare.
Big Woods North is a really nice walk through the forest. 2/3 trail and 1/3 forest service roads and nearly complete shade.
About HATs and what you need to hike:
https://www.hatsandmore.org/Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.6445&lon=-95.3306&FcstType=graphicalGathering Point:
The hike will start at the Big Woods Hunter's camp on FS 202.
Google Maps LinkJust a link to apple maps location
The Hike:
The hike covers a loop in the northern part of the Big Woods area of the LSHT. The path is about 2/3 native trial and 1/3 forest service road.Avenza users can get geolocatable pdf map here:
Google Drive Link
Other map formats and GPX tracks:
Google Drive LinkHATS Eighth quest to hike the entire Lone Star Trail System:
Google Maps LinkFind your place in your personal quest to hike 132 miles of the entire -LSHT system.
Hikes Completed ListFirst timers, please sign up for the hike so we can know you are there. If your name is not on the list, let us know.
"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."
From the Official Guidebook for the Lone Star TrailThe Lone Star Trail wiki page
After Hike Event:
The Red Brick Tavern
119 Simonton St, Conroe, TX 7730116 attendees
Lone Star Trail Hike #5: Kelly's Pond Summer Loop: 8.6 miles
Sam Houston National Forest Multi-Use Trail West Parking, Kellys Pond Rd, Montgomery, TX, USKelly'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:
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:
Click HereHike Map:
In the photos.After Hike Event:
B-52 Brewing Co.
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
Indoor and outdoor seating.To 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."
14 attendees
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