Lone Star Hiking Trail Day 1-2

As I wait (not so) patiently to start the PCT I decided to take my gear on a trial run. I am currently laying in my tent on the Lone Star Hiking Trail in the Sam Houston National Forest. When I started hiking (about 45 miles ago) the H in LSHT sounded redundant without needing to be. I'm sure if someone said the Lone Star Trail people would know what was being referred to. Now that I've seen a few more signs it makes sense. The LSHT is solely for hiking. No bikes. No motor vehicles. No horses. Only human and dog feet allowed. In the first section (Winter's Bayou) I can see the reasoning. In such a swampy squishy environment wheels would make a mess and horses could get stuck. However, in one of the sections I hiked through today (Big Woods) I do not see why bikes would not be allowed. I can't say anything about how prevalent mountain biking is in the Houston area but I would bet a pretty penny that it would increase the usage of the area. 8.7 miles of the same young growth trees is pretty tedious for hikers and probably why I didn't see anyone in that section. I might be spoiled by living in Washington where the trails are nicely maintained thanks to groups like the WTA, but having walked over countless pieced together bridges in the past 48 hours has me appreciating Washington trails much more.

Anyways. 

DAY 1:

• 0600 - Arrive at airport in Houston

• 0720 - Get dropped off at Montague Church

• 0740 - Start hiking LSHT via Trailhead #15

• Winter's Bayou (TH #15)

• Mercy Fire Tower (TH #14)

• Tarkenton (TH #13)

• Big Creek (TH #12)

• 1700 - Set up at Hiker Camp #1

Highlights:

• Getting to trailhead #15

• Water sources (I didn't realize this until day 2 when water sources were slim to none)

• Burning tree

• Meeting human (Don)

• Finding Hiker Camp #1

Total people: 1

Total (trip) miles: 19.1

DAY 2:

• 0800 - Break camp

• 0900 - Start hiking

• Iron Ore (TH #11)

• Magnolia (TH #10)

• Road walk

• Big Woods (TH #9)

• FS Road walk

• 1900 - Set up camp in East 4 Notch hiker camp

Highlights:

• Wading through the East fork of the San Jacinto River due to a washed out bridge

• Finishing the Big Woods section without losing my mind completely

Total people: 7 + people in cars

Total miles: 45.2 + backtracking for dropped bug net

Notes:

• Insoles in shoes are probably a good idea

• Get water when you can not when you need

• Everything in Texas is damp all the time

• Maps are essential

• As long as your feet are moving you will gain miles

• Securing your gear is important