Sam Houston National Forest, Texas, United States

4Susan S 5:00 PM Aug 22, 2015

Backpacking the Piney Woods
I prefer mountains and vistas when I hike but those are not accessible for a Houstonian with just a weekend. I have enjoyed the west side of the LSHT for many winters but not summer. This weekend I changed that. Knowing what you are walking into is very important when hiking, I believe, so a little info via the LSHT hiking website and Karen Somers book are musts, as is checking recent weather to think on water and mud. I brought an enclosed tent for bug protection at night and also in case bugs were problematic during lunch break. Chiggers and ticks can be a problem in this forest, even in January, so my tarp stays home. Since I brought a dog, I decided against a hammock but that would be ideal in this forest. Even though we had a wet June, it has been pretty dry July and August so mud wasn't a problem. The moisture encouraged plants but the dryness helps keep them from over growing the trail and trail finding was pretty easy. If I went more than 20 feet without seeing a blaze, tape, or obvious trail, I turned around to see if I can see the blazes on the other side of the tree. If not, a couple minutes of backtracking puts me on trail. Compared to much of my hiking in wilderness, this trail is well marked and easy route finding. It is not a state park with broad walks and bridges everywhere but a national forest with access to wilderness and solitude. And if you go in summer, it is likely you will have it all to yourself. I didn't see a single other person. I think it is good to cache water on the many forest road access points, provided you practice LNT principles. I have some concerns over purity of water due to earlier industry in the area but that is just me. Water is plentiful enough to hike without a cache if you are informed. Summer brings lots of spiders so pay attention or risk looking like a walking cotton candy with the web trailing behind you. I recommend bringing extra baby wipes for cleaning. The humidity of this area begs for more than a water and bandana bath, imo. Also bring a small mirror, which you probably have in your kit anyway, for doing tick checks. You should definitely strip and check each night when you retire. The easy terrain and temps let me bring an ultralight kit and wear minimalist shoes. I brought a light sheet instead of sleeping bag and the forest floor is soft enough that my Zrest pad stayed behind. Food was noncook like applesauce and nutbutter, but a stove was along for coffee and tea. I keep Tecnu in the car to wash with upon return because I occasionally go off trail and get into poison ivy. Next time I will bring a small fan for use at night and during breaks, it was hot and still this weekend. The LSHT is mostly a green tunnel but if you are willing to trade expansive views for micro-views, you will see many lovely bugs like walking sticks and lightening bugs and spiders and enjoy tall trees, soft pine needle carpet, and see pigs and deer.

3TXDaycationer 5:00 PM Jul 10, 2009

Lonestar Hiking Trail - TPWD does not have a concept of mileage
I am a member of the Sierra Club and read about the Lonestar Hiking Trail with it's wildlife and forest beauty. I love animals and nature. We thought it would be fun. Go hiking and primative camping. We would hike through the forest and then camp on the other side by the shores of Lake Conroe. I'm with the man that I love. Life is great. I can handle that. 5 miles (the extra long trail).....I can handle that. Because we were camping, we had to carry all of the supplies that we would need. Let's just say.........the 5 miles is EXTREMELY misleading. As a matter of fact, so was the trail map that we looked at ahead of time. Our packs were close to 50 pounds when all was said and done. Can you see where this is going??? It was very nice when we started out. We did this in either March or April so it wasn't too hot and the "critters" were not out. We thought.....oh this would be fun. We met a father and son on the trail who were very tired. The man gave me a funny look and I wondered what was up. I didn't know at that time what they had been through. I should have taken the look as a warning to me of ....'are you sure you want to do this?' Let's talk about what is NOT on the map........like the swamps. That was a surprise. I like surprises.....just not that much of a surprise. We hit the first swamp probably about mile 5. That was fun. Can you see I'm still smiling? Now, let's talk about how TPWD does not have the creeks marked either.....they have some..... but I have no clue which ones they were because there were more than what was marked. I like water. I really do. When I cross a creek, I would rather use a bridge......even a log that's steady. I'm an adventurer. I didn't think with the hiking boots and 50 pound back pack that I would need waders as well. Oh, and don't forget to bring a compass. It helps to know what direction you should go when you lose the trail. Unless TPWD decides to go out and actually mark the spot where they forgot to. It took us about 45 minutes to find the trail again. That was exciting! When we took the time to rest (after a lot further than the 5 miles) I came to the realization that if anything happened on this trail.....a person is up a creek without a paddle. You are on your own. We had passed the father and son and that was it. We had been on the trail about 4 hours. While we were resting another hiker came along. I will just say that I was glad my boyfriend was there. I had forgotten my mace at home. Don't forget to pack the mace! When the guy finally left, we moved on. Shortly after, we hit a part of the forest where there had been a fire. I have to tell you that I was relieved because it meant I could walk without double checking that I wasn't going to step on a water moccasin. (Did I forget to mention that part?) Anyway, there is beauty here. There really is. But I have no desire to be Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone. This trail is a 15 mile walk at least to the park road on the other side. It was another 5 miles to the camping spot on Lake Conroe that he had remembered from when he was a kid. (By the way, we were visited that night by wild pigs. I'm just glad the alligators decided to stay at bay). We called his son to pick us up.