HATs 15th Anniversary Hike - Brazos Bend State Park ~ 9.5 miles
Details
Brazos Bend - where it all began on Saturday, November 13, 2010, the cosmos aligned to witness the birth of a legend and the forging of a tradition. A monumental hike was embarked upon, and from its crucible, Hugo ascended, forevermore known as Fearless Leader!
AI enhanced wording here. So don't blame Tom or Nomi.
Join us for a celebration of our 15 years of blazing new trails in the Houston area. And more.
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.
Safety:
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. Speak to someone immediately and contact the hike leader. We can help get you safely off the trail.
If you notice someone having difficulty walking, stop and talk to them. If there is any doubt in you mind, contact the hike leader.
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Park Entry:
Pre-purchase of day passes for the 8:00 AM entry period is recommended for this hike. If the weather is particularly nice they may sell out before Saturday.
https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/
Day passes for the entire car are free with a state parks pass.
Without a state parks pass entry is $7 per person. If you are carpooling, you can purchase a one person pass and riders can pay at the gate. Correct change cash is highly encouraged to speed up entry.
PLEASE ALLOW EXTRA TIME FOR ENTRY AND THE SLOW DRIVE TO THE TRAILHEAD. There may be a long wait at the gate when the weather is nice. IF YOU ARE LATE, THE GROUP MAY NOT BE ABLE TO WAIT FOR YOU.
The Hike:
A Brazos Bend Classic - The Lakes, Bogs and Swamps Hike: starting at 40 Acres Lake, Prairie trail, Live Oak trail, Pliant Slough trail to Elm lake. We will walk around Elm Lake and then visit both Horseshoe lakes, and continue all the way to the big loop, before returning to 40 Acres Lake through the Spillway.
Gathering Point:
Meet at the 40 Acres Lake parking lot
Bathrooms:
At the gathering point.
The Trail:
The hike is mostly on improved trails. Partly shaded.
Weather:
Click Here
Hike Map:
In the photos
Geolocated Maps
Click Here
After Hike Event:
Brick House Tavern + Tap
19740 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479
Google Maps Link
https://www.brickhousetavernandtap.com/location/brick-house-tavern-and-tap-sugar-land-tx/
About The Park:
Brazos Bend State Park includes 5,000 acres of bottomland and upland coastal prairie just southwest of the rapidly expanding Houston metro area. Tallgrass prairie covers much of the western border of the park. These prairies are home to native grasses that range in height from 2 to 6 feet tall. The park prairie offers a glimpse of a once widespread, but now vanishing ecosystem. Woodlands include live-oak gallery forests and mixed bottomland hardwood forest. In places, a mature forest canopy reaches for the sky. The trees provide refueling stops for migratory birds and sanctuary for native wildlife species. The park has several types of wetlands: swamps, lakes, marshes and short-lived ponds that form on the prairies during the rainy season.
Due to its various ecosystems, the park is famous for its species diversity. Thousands of species, ranging from grasses and wild flowers to trees and aquatic plant life, grow in the park. Animal life is just as diverse. The white-tailed deer is the largest of more than 25 different species of mammals. Other mammals here include feral pigs, raccoons, squirrels, river otters, bobcats, foxes and more. About 21 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the American alligator, live in the park. Mild days in the spring and fall or any mild winter day are the best time to view reptiles or amphibians.
Text and links about the place.