Posts Tagged ‘hiking’
Friday, August 15th, 2008
We just returned from a short trip to Eisenhower State Park, named for the 34th President of the United States who was born nearby. Located northwest of Denison Texas and approximately 100 miles north of Dallas Texas this nice size park of 423.1 acres is set on the shores of Lake Texoma, a huge reservoir on the Texas/Oklahoma border. The Tex and oma in the name of this Red River impoundment represents both states. 580 miles of shoreline sprawl across the borders of Texas and Oklahoma with 2/3 of the lake actually in Oklahoma.
Visit our Eisenhower State Park Photo Gallery
Tags: bluegill, Eisenhower State Park, family camping, family fun, fishing, hiking, sunfish, swimming, Texas State Park. camping
Posted in State Parks, Texas | 2 Comments »
Friday, June 6th, 2008
There are no campgrounds in Petrified Forest National Park. If you want to camp in the back country wilderness you must obtain a free permit (for up to 14 days) at Painted Desert Visitor Center, Painted Desert Inn or Rainbow Forest Museum at least one hour before the park closes. At the north side of the park the entrance to the 43,000 acres of wilderness area is at Kachina Point adjacent to the Painted Desert Inn. 300 ft of steep switch back trail will take you to the desert floor. You may set up camp once you have crossed the Lithodendrom Wash approximately one mile in a westerly direction. On the south side of the park the wilderness area is located at mile marker 24 known as The Flats. Head west into the 7,000 acres for at least one mile before you set up camp. You must pack in everything you need and pack it all out. There is no water in the wilderness areas. Carry all the water you will need. Recommended is one gallon per person per day.
Tags: Arizona, back packing, hiking, Kachina Point, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, primitive camping
Posted in National Parks, Petrified Forest | No Comments »
Sunday, May 25th, 2008
The next pull out is not named and so of course we call it No Name Point. This is a good spot to pause, look at your map and plan your remaining stops and perhaps some hikes. You may hike anywhere in Petrified Forest National Park within the following guidelines. If there is a designated walkway or path you must stay on it. You may not walk into any areas with signs indicating closed area or authorized vehicles or personnel only. (these are few) Otherwise you may strike out into the Painted Desert or the Petrified Forest on your own. You must park your vehicle in an overlook parking lot or if you pull off on the side of the road you must be completely off the roadway and on the other side of the designated white line. The park closes at 7PM in the summer and 6PM at other times of the year. At closing time you must be in your vehicle heading for an exit.
Tags: Arizona, back country, hiking, Painted Desert, Petrified Forest National Park, tips, wilderness area
Posted in National Parks, Petrified Forest | No Comments »
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
Visit our Paria Rimrock-Toadstool Photo Gallery
The Paria Rimrocks hike near the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a pleasant 1.5 mile round trip jaunt taking you to the hoodoos and balanced rocks. Actually located in the Grand Staircase Escalante this is a fairly easy hike that the whole family can enjoy. To find the trailhead from the Glen Canyon Dam drive 30 minutes north on highway 89. Just after you pass Utah mile marker 19 turn off the highway in to the dirt parking area. Be sure to sign the register before you head up the wash. About halfway out there is an area that requires a little rock scrambling. You may require a boost if your hiking skills are rusty however most people make it without difficulty. When you arrive the sight of various balanced rocks jogs your sense of logic as the hoodoo gardens fill your imagination with mystical wonderings as only nature can. If you have the time continue beyond the hoodoos, scramble down into another wash and follow it back out to your car. There are no designated trails so you want to check your compass and make sure you are headed in a westerly direction towards the highway and the parking lot. As with any hike in Canyon Country be sure you bring enough water, wear sturdy shoes, apply sunscreen frequently and don’t forget your hat. Tip: Maps are available at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Big Water which you will pass on the way to the trailhead.
Tags: family, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, hiking, Lake Powell, Paria Rimrocks, Toadstool Trail
Posted in Glen Canyon, National Parks | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, April 15th, 2008
Lake Arrowhead State Park in Clay County is just 18 miles south of Wichita Falls, Texas. At 524 acres this is a small park on a very large (16,200 acres) reservoir with 106 miles of shoreline. Fishermen are drawn to the large abandoned steel oil derricks that dot the lake and yield the fish. Lake Arrowhead State Park participates in “Loan A Tackle Program” where the park lends fishing tackle to the visitors. A Kids Fishing Contest and an Adult Rough Fish Contest are held in June. Check the park calendar for current schedule. When not fishing there are 5 miles of mostly flat and grassy trails shared by hikers and equestrians to enjoy. If you bring your horse there are 4 equestrian campsites. 48 campsites with water and electric as well as 19 sites with water only are spacious and partially shaded. We stopped at this park on our way home from Utah in the summer of 2008. Close to Hwy 287 it is a welcome respite from the roadside highway campgrounds. Tip: Lake Arrowhead State Park is home to an active black-tailed prairie dog “town.”
Tags: Clay County, family, fishing, hiking, kids fishing contest, Lake Arrowhead State Park, primitive camping, Wichita Falls camping
Posted in State Parks | No Comments »
