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
16
Ultimate Swimming Hole at Lake Tejas.
Lake Tejas, 152 Lake Tejas Loop, Colmesneil, TX, USLeave Houston around 10am for best results.... The lake is two hours from downtown so carpools are a good idea for this event.
The summer is here, this is a great chance to swim at the lake with friends. Lake Tejas is owned and operated by the Colmesnial School district and all profits go to the school system for the education of the local community. The sand on the beach was brought in in boxcars in the 1920s from Florida when the facility was established. There are nice sandy roads that run around the area
Come and have a dip in the lake, spit watermelon seeds, and loaf around with friends under the shade of the East Texas pines. Bring snacks, swimwear, and an inclination to relax in the quiet for a summer celebration of East Texas culture. Maybe it gets better than this somewhere but I have not figured out where. Dinner will be in Woodville and the drive back will be in the dark.Tickets are $5 at the lake, and bring picnic lunch, as we will probably take over a few picnic tables.
Info about Lake Tejas
More info about the LakePlan on leaving Houston around 10am as Lake Tejas is about 110 miles from downtown. Arrive at the lake around noon. Bring friends and carpool for the best experience. Advertise your carpool in the comments below.
Our organizers are not guides nor do we have any special training. We are here to come up with hiking ideas and get things started. Take the same precautions you would if hiking alone, including the fitness needed to make long hikes. Then enjoy the swim among friends.
COVID PRECAUTIONS:
Bring and wear a mask when not hiking and follow the best practices to prevent the transmission of COVID.Gathering Place:
We are meeting on the beach at Lake Tejas at noon. 10am is when you need to leave Houston to have any chance of arriving at the lake around noon. There is lots of parking around. DIRECTIONS TO LAKE TEJASThe Experience:
Sunning, swimming, napping in the afternoon shade. Almost no walking at all.
Weather Forecast:
Weather at the LakeDinner:
Elijah's Cafe.5 attendees
Armand Bayou Trails Hike 9.0 Miles
Holly Bay Court Sports Complex, 7102 Crenshaw Road, Pasadena, TX, USThe Hike: We will follow the west side of creek trail north up to the connecting bayou creek then west up to the church cross over the creek then we'll back east along the creek and picking up the south trail and back to the park. The trail is mostly covered with a short section in the open.
Meeting Place:
The parking lot of the sports complex
Google Maps LinkWeather:
Click HereHike Map:
In photos
Geolocated PDF
Click HereOptional after Hike:
BreWingZ Sports Grill
5700 fairmont PKWY
Google Maps Directionshttp://brewingz.com/locations/beltway-8-exit-fairmont/
Heat Precautions:
SUMMER is here and the afternoon weather is getting hot. 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.
Each person assumes responsibility for their own safety. Therefore, you should be in good health and physically fit, know your own limitations. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult/guardian.
HATs leaders are fellow hiking enthusiast, not guides. We have no special training related to outdoors activities. We encourage all members to plan for hikes as if they are going solo as the best way to assure safety. Hiker's planning should including of being of reasonable fitness for the event and carrying the needed water and food for a long hike. Then to enjoy the day with friends.36 attendees
Eighth Annual National Summit Day Hike ~8.1 Miles
Miller Outdoor Theatre, 6000 Hermann Park Drive, HOUSTON, tx, USBackpacker Magazine proclaimed the first Saturday in August as National Summit Day a few years ago. As part of this celebration of "our favorite mountains and the people who climb them" they asked us and other groups to plan hikes to the highest places in their respective regions.
This set off HATs collective irony meter off the scale, but we managed to put together a hike to visit not just one, but five, physical and cultural high points in Houston. Each conveniently located around Hermann Park.
This year it will be lead by Henry who has an irony meter all his own.
** See the photos for the elevation plot **
HEAT PRECAUTIONS:
The heat index is now regularly above 100° F before noon. 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 and can't keep up, tell someone right away and stop walking so it doesn't become something serious. We are never far from the start or from an airconditioned space.
You can phone a friend or get an Uber for a short ride back to your car. Or call the hike leader for a pick up after the hike.
Walking should be fun so don't let it become not fun for you.
If anyone needs help during the hike speak to anyone and message Henry.
Parking:
Nearest to the finish.
McGovern Centennial Gardens
Google Maps LinkAlternate with more space:
Houston Zoo off Concert Drive
Google Maps LinkWe leave promptly at 8:00 AM. Allow time to park and a 10 minutes to walk to the hike starting point.
Gathering Point
Google Maps LinkWe'll gather in the picnic area by Miller Theater, next to the concessions. There is no parking adjacent to the gathering spot. See the main description for parking suggestions. Late comers may post message to ask where the group is at but there's no guarantee of an answer once the hike has started.
Bathrooms:
There are bathrooms at the gathering point. If the music school building is open, there will be bathrooms at the break. There should also be a bathroom at the MFAH. So drink plenty of water.The Hike:
The hike is an approximately 8 mile loop hike through Hermann Park, Rice University and the MFAH sculpture garden. By climbing these five peaks of National Summit Day we can:- Ascend to new heights in the performing arts.
- Step up to a hero.
- Stand with the sky almost in reach.
- Climb above The Cloud.
- See the beauty of the world spiral all around us.
To enjoy these wonderful summits join us on the hike.
(Or use the hike map and outfit your own expedition!)The Trail:
The trails are a mostly shaded mix of crushed granite and pavement. But be aware, a mile or so of hiking late in the walk are partly in the sun and the last two stops are full sun.Hike map and elevation profile are the photos.
Maps:
Hike map in the photos.
Geolocated Maps:
Click HereAbout 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.
Weather Forecast:
Click HereBonus Culinary Summit:
Bodegas Taco Shop
Fia Pizzeria
Side by side co-owned restaurants with shared outdoor seating. Two blocks from the final peak. Join us at these culinary high points. No driving needed.5650 Caroline St
Houston, TX 77004
Google Maps Linkhttp://www.bodegastacoshop.com/
http://www.fiaspizzeria.com/29 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.
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.https://www.hatsandmore.org/
Trail Safety:
The heat index is now regularly above 100° F before noon. Consider your heat tolerance. Start the day well hydrated and bring more water than you carry in cooler weather.Hiking is supposed to be fun. If you don't feel well or can't keep up, tell someone right away. Contact the hike leader. We can help get you off the trail.
Alan: 713-863-8038Gathering Place:
Kelly's Pond Campground
Kelly's Pond Rd, Montgomery, TX 77356https://goo.gl/maps/twBDbo1Hkx6UjxSw6
Plus Code: 8626F8J3+G2The 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 are not marked with blazes. Pay attention to the map so you know when to turn and the right place to get on the LSHT.
The motor trails area predominantly loose sand.
Weather Forecast:
Click HereHike Map:
In the photos.
To use the geolocated map on your phone, try the FO Maps app.
Geolocated MapsAfter 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.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."
25 attendees
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