North Texas Outdoors

CLOCKWISE - ERL

This is not a backpacking trip for beginners.

Starting at the Little Missouri Falls- hiking the loop CLOCKWISE. Please note we are going the other direction from the past few years.

Friday arrive by 9:00- 9:30am and hit the trail by 10:00am. Allow more time than you think to get there. We will leave by 10 to make sure we arrive at camp before it gets dark. Leave Little Missouri Falls and hike 10 miles to our normal camping area next to the river a mile before you cross over into Winding Stairs.

Saturday (the big day 13-15 miles) hike over 5 mountains. We will be camping in our normal spot which is between Mt. McKinley and at the base of Hurricane Knob.

Sunday hike the remaining 5 miles back to the cars at Little Missouri Falls

This is a backpack trip you will need to carry everything with you. Trekking poles are a good idea on this loop. Some people bring water shoes for the creek and river crossings.

Please do your own research about this hike. There are several YouTube videos and blogs about Eagle Rock loop.

The map pin may be off. Research how to get to the Little Missouri Falls before you leave.

This is an excellent weekend loop hike that has a good combination of easy, moderate, and difficult trails. There are many trail access points but I like to start at the Little Missouri Falls. The loop combines the Little Missouri Trail, Viles Branch Trail, and the Athens-Big Fork Trail. Very easy deep woods hiking but be prepared for some wet crossings of the creek.

The Athens-Big Fork Trail is the one that makes this hike a challenge. It follows an old mail route and is very, very steep. The trail climbs up and over 6 different mountains in its 8 miles of the loop. These climbs and descents are very brutal and could be very dangerous for those not in good shape. If you can make the climbs there are some spectacular views for you. All of the trails have plenty of access to water if you can filter it yourself.

The trip is two nights over 2.5 days of hiking, 30 miles over a lot of ridges and wet creek/river crossings.

You should have prior overnight backpacking experience and know how to pack for a trip this length. (You should try to keep your total pack weight around or under 30 lbs) There is plenty of water to filter on the trail, so you don’t have to carry a lot.

OK here's my disclaimer: By signing up for this trip you are taking full responsibility for your own actions and will hold harmless event organizer for any injury or death. This event is covering very uneven and loose ground with many hazards along the way. You also realize that dangerous and deadly flash flooding have been know to happen in this area. Wildlife is unpredictable so don't pet the snakes and don't hook up with Bigfoot.

NTO invites you come join a weekend of camping and hiking at Village
State Park.
The park is at the southern edge of the Big Thicket and has an amazing diversity of both plants and wildlife not seen elsewhere in the U.S.
The plan is to do some day hiking on the trails in the Big Thicket including the Pitcher Plant Trail, Kirby Trail, and Sundew Trail. We will hike between 3.5 miles and 5 miles depending on trails picked. This is about a 20 - 30 minute drive from Village Creek State Park.
On Friday you are on your own for dinner. Saturday plan a good breakfast and a lunch on the go as there will not be a place close by to pick up something to eat. Saturday we will have a pot luck and campfire.
Have made reservations in the Creekside Loop, site #PO38. This is a primitive camping loop with water only, no electricity. We have room to share or you can make your own reservations. There are still plenty of sites available in Creekside Loop.
Gear you will need: in addition to camping gear you will need to have the gear for hiking. Include a way to carry lunch, snacks and plenty of water. Dress for the weather. Bring insect repellant.
You are responsible for your own well being as well as making your own reservations.
Please feel free to ask any questions in the comments section.

Crosss Timbers overnight adventure! Kayaking - Backpacking from Cedar Bayou Marnia to Lost Loop.

This is a beginner-friendly kayaking - backpacking hike along the beautiful Cross Timbers Trail. That being said, cold weather conditions will elevate this hike to a more intermediate-level experience. If you’re new to backpacking and have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out - prepared beginners are always welcome!

Friendly dogs are welcome on this trip. Please bring a leash and be mindful of other hikers.

Start Location & Time

This trip is kayak version of the last cross timbers lost loop backpacking trip.

Saturday morning 830 am arrive at cedar bayou to off load kayaks and gear - I'll be wanting to set out at roughly 9 am.

I want to feed into the wanderlust pirate experenice and paddle around the lost loop coast and map out all of the possible campsites. Lets pick the best one to stay at. Since we are kayaking in trail building and site maintenance tools will be highly encouraged to bring. Lets keep the campsite we love looking super fresh.

The site is unknown so we are up for a fun adventure.

If you want to hike/paddle out friday afternoon - with all the free time - coordinate possible sites via text/messages please. We can always move locations for Saturday.

Ill want to have radio communication on this trip. If you will bring a gmrs handheld we can communicate our locations.

Channel 15 - ctcss tone 110 rx tx
midland privacy tone cts 15

if you have questions or want to borrow a radio please meassage me beforehand. I only have so many... I can help get you setup.

Parking is available along the road in front of the marina entrance, as well as inside the marina.
Parking fee: $5 cash or pay inside with a card.

Water
The campsite has hike-in access to lake water, but filtering can be limited depending on sandy lake conditions. I recommend packing in your own water - at least 1 gallon total per person for the full trip. Ill want to pack in a couple ozark gallons to drink. Water bucket for the fire/dishes

Weather and Gear
If dangerous weather occurs (such as severe storms), I will reschedule the event. Otherwise, this will be a cold-weather campout, so please bring the appropriate gear.

I will bring my saw and tools to maintain a cleaner campsite for the group. We will have a 30 minute group firewood gathering donation activity to keep us warm for the night this will be the minimum requirement.

You have to pay the campsite spirits their respect.

pack it in, pack it out, thats what its all about.

Distance
The hike from Cedar Bayou to lost loop is approximately 2 miles one way with the site as a to be determined. The paddle will take longer since we will be surveying the land. I would say an hour give or take 45 minutes to find our location. Thats being generous.

Food - cooking
Please see to comments section for what you would like to bring.

Lets have a potluck - I can bring a double burner and skillets. Might need some volunteers to carry a Dutch oven to make a dessert cobbler?!?

Ill see yall on the water, or at camp.