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- Tom's 65th B-Day Hike - WG Jones State Forest Outer Loop 8.6 MilesWG Jones State Forest, Conroe, TX
I am inviting all HATs members to help celebrate my 65th birthday at Jones State Forest. (Actual B-day is the 21st but I am told I have plans that Saturday.)
Tall trees, deep shade and wide trails! Today's hike takes us to the WG Jones State Forest. Also on the trail are horse riders and all kinds of wild life, let someone know if you see an Ivory-billed Woodpecker.
The Hike:
The forest is a HATs favorite. It combines twisting single track trails, broad shaded straight walkways and a suspension bridge. It is often used by horses so pay attention to your surroundings. We will focus on the outer trails of the forest and leave the narrow inner ones for another 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. 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.
Safety Precautions:
The heat index is now regularly above 90° F before noon. Consider your heat tolerance.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. Call Tom at 832-439-5797 if you need help. We can help get you off the trail.
What to You Need:
Supportive sports shoes, plenty of water, a snack and a hat.Weather:
Click HereGathering Point:
There is no precise address for the trailhead. It is on the left, just before you leave the forest heading west from I-45.
Google Map LinkParking at 2330 FM 1488, The Woodlands is OK.
Parking:
This is a small parking lot. Park on the highway shoulder or the shopping center across the road where we are going for the after hike lunch.Bathrooms:
No bathrooms at the start or along the trail. Gas stations nearby.The Trail:
The trail is mostly the typical sandy soils of the region. We have to cross the highway twice. Drivers typically yield for the group.Hike Map:
In the photos.Geolocated Maps:
Click HereAfter Hike Event:
Woodson's Local Tap + Kitchen
Just across the highway.
2330 Farm to Market Rd 1488, The Woodlands, TX 77384
Google Maps LinkLimited vegetarian options.
1488 Menu – Woodson's Local Tap + KitchenAbout 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. Users include schools, youth organizations, higher education institutions, landowners, community members and groups, science researchers, and various professional groups.
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.
- Lone Star Trail Seg #5: Kelly's Pond Summer Loop: 8.6 milesSam Houston National Forest Multi-Use Trail West Parking, Montgomery, TX
Kelly'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 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:
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 Hike:
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.Weather Forecast:
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=30.3939&lon=-95.533&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphicalHike map is in the photos.
More maps and tracks:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1AJNr453bfClyd688JBpdL4F2HIqFurFh?usp=sharingAfter Hike Event:
B-52 Brewing Co.
12470 Milroy Ln, Conroe, TX 77304
Indoor and outdoor seating.https://goo.gl/maps/GwVSLLSCqkH2
86268CRX+7JTo 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."
- Lone Star Hiking Trail: Segment 11: Hidden Lake, 8.7 milesFour Notch Hunter Camp, Huntsville, TX
No frigid blasts, no blizzard conditions, occasional bare wind-tossed trees, and not even a chance of the winter wonderland like they are currently having in Patagonia about now: It is summer on the Lone Star Trail and a good time to see and experience a great trek through the Sam Houston National Forest. Join us for all these things and 18-19,000 steps closer to finishing the HATS Lone Star Trek and enjoy the walk in the forest in the New Year.
This will be a shuttle hike (we gather at the meeting place, shuttle over to the actual starting point in a few vehicles, and hike back to the cars) so this is another chance to ride in the back of a pickup if you have not had that pleasure lately.
About HATs and our hikes
https://www.hatsandmore.org/Hike Safety:
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. Contact the hike leader. We can help get you off the trail.Alan: 713 863 8038
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:
Four Notch Hunters CampThe Hike:
This is a shuttle hike (so the first thing we will do after we arrive is drive in a few vehicles over to the starting point. Anyone who can shuttle people over is greatly appreciated.) The hike is a mix of forest service roads, trails through the woods. There is one potentially wet foot crossing of Boswell Creek and only a little bit of bushwhacking.Special Note:
Hikers are encouraged to use the Avenza Maps App. Install on your phone so you can load HATs PDF maps and track you place on the trail. See the Geolocated Maps link below.https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/
Speak to Alan or Tom for help in loading the maps.
The Trail:
This hike is about one third on a paves road. The remainder is on the typical sand soils native to the region and on closed forest service roads. About one third is on unmarked paths.Forecast :
Weather ForecastHike Map:
In the photos.
Geolocated MapsAfter Hike Event:
TBA
