Lone Star Hiking Trail Hike 18, Mercy Fire Tower Hike ~12.1 Miles

Mercy Fire Tower Loop is the hike for today's segment of HATS' 6th attempt to complete the ~120 mile Lone Star Hiking Trail. Be sure to touch base with Cindy after you park to get counted for completing this hike.

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.

Best Map: You will not get Lost
Any hikers with the Avenza Maps App are encouraged to download the file: **Mercy Winter Loop.pdf**
Mercy Winter Loop Geolocatable pdf map
and 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.

COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID.

COMMUNITY CARPOOL:
Alan is organizing a community carpool. The goal is that everyone gets a ride or a rider.
Leaving at 7:30 AM sharp
Judson Robinson, Jr. Community Center.
2020 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Google Map Link

Gathering Place:
Lone Star Trailhead #14
https://goo.gl/maps/snfN4rJvLGE2

Call or text Alan at 713 863 8038 if you need help.

There is no bathrooms at the trailhead or along the hike. Stop on FM 2025 near the freeway.

The Hike:
We will follow the LSHT by Tarkington Bayou then return along FS Roads and ROWs.

The hike is over the loam soils of the region and will be mostly shaded.

Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.4714&lon=-95.106&FcstType=graphical

Hike map is in the photos.

Geolocated Maps:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HAPsrE9_lZVVCtPO8Wj8oO_8V7hgLoQQ

After Hike Event:
Back Pew Brewing Company
26452 Sorters McClellan Rd, Porter, TX 77365
https://g.page/backpewbrew?share

http://www.backpewbrewing.com/

To 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.
Link to LSHT Progress Chart

To see the groups progress on this fifth quest to complete the trail, see our map.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=19KnZUyqYn0OK0lQ1NvP1dscHWimo99Tg

To 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