Dinosaur Digital Detox Hike

Let's leave our phones, check out some dinosaur tracks and then hike either five or 10 challenging miles at Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose this Saturday. Come out for digital detox and time in nature after you read these four key points:

1. No gadgets! We'll agree to leave phones, music players, earbuds, etc. in our vehicles. We'll meet at noon at restrooms by picnic area (blue circle on map) and start hiking by 12:30, navigating with paper maps and compasses. I've hiked these well-marked trails many times so getting lost is highly unlikely. I'll have a turned-off phone in my pack for emergencies. Cell phone coverage is generally good throughout the park, just in case. Let's try it once without photos for social media or checking email. It'll be good. Get to the park by taking Highway 67 through Glen Rose and turning right on FM 205 at the Dinosaur Valley sign. Go four miles to Park Road 59, then a mile to entrance gate. Get a map and ask how to get to the bathrooms at the picnic area. It's easy.
2. Two hiking options. Five-mile option includes easy river crossing (twice), dinosaur tracks and the park's best view at the overlook. This is the orange line in the pic. The other option (green line) is to continue another five miles on beautiful trails in the eastern half of the park. Total 10 miles if you do both loops.
3. Be ready. These are moderately challenging trails, with some fairly steep climbs and loose rocks and roots to watch out for. We'll cross a creek or two and the Paluxy River twice, likely without getting wet because of the stepping stones. I'm bringing trekking poles and you might want to as well. There is no place to fill up with water except right at the start. Bring lots. At least a liter per loop. We'll stop regularly for water, snacks and rest.
4. **Get tickets soon. It's $8 for a day pass to the state park. You need this. Plus -- important! -- on nice weekends when the tracks are visible the park often fills up at some point and no more visitors can get in. This could happen by noon. So get a day pass online before you leave, preferably as soon as you decide you're going. Here's the website: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley/fees-facilities/entrance-fees**

That's it. Get passes online first, meet at blue circle at noon and hike five or 10 distraction-free miles. Let's do this thing!