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Lone Star Hiking Trail, TX

Mar 4 - Mar 12, 2017 -- $1200 ★, Only 1 Spot Left

Deep in the heart of (Southeast) Texas, in the Sam Houston National Forest, lies a temperate pine and hardwood trail called The Lone Star Hiking Trail. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is the longest continously marked and maintained footpath in Texas (and everything is big in Texas).


We will hike 51 of the 96 miles of this trail traversing many beautiful woodland areas and some ancient bayous, perhaps catching views of red cockaded woodpeckers or bald eagles. Although not completely flat, the trail is gently graded rendering the hiking less strenuous than other Fitpacking offerings. Few place are warm and sunny in early March so why not escape your frigid climate and join us?


Our journey will begin at the Weinter's Bayou Trailhead, the beginning terminus of the trail. From there, we will follow the trail Westbound through the Sam Houston National Forest all the way to the so-called "Four Notch" section.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical March weather averages in the high-70s during the day and 30s-40s at night. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 90s and freezing temperatures at night. Overall, expect a warm respite from your end-of-winter blues.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Dan Shafto


Cost

$1200 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Houston, TX (IAH) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 7 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Important Note

This trip is a full week. If you choose this trip, you will also be hiking with both our first Half-Week group and our 2nd Half-Week group remaining on the trail Tuesday and Wednesday night without either group.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, March 4, 2017

Fly or drive into Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Take free airport shuttle to Hampton Inn & Suites Houston North IAH, 707 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, TX, 77060, 281-447-6400

Equipment shakedown

Trip to REI, 17717 Tomball Parkway, Houston, TX 77064 or Academy Sports + Outdoors, 10375 North Freeway, Houston, TX 77037 for forgotten or last minute equipment

Distribution of trail mix / Make-your-own trail mix

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go to local restaurant for welcome dinner (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Sunday, March 5, 2017

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Check out of Hotel

Your spare bag(s) will be stored either at the hotel or in a storage unit for safekeeping

Shuttle to Winter's Bayou about an hour away

There is no water near tonight's camp, so either carry 8 liters or fill up 4 miles in.

Begin Hiking at Winter's Bayou Trailhead #15, FM 1725 @ mile 96.5

Hike 4.0 miles to the East Fork of the San Jacinto River. Fill water for tonight and the next 5.7 miles if necessary

Hike 2.3 miles to Mercy Hiker Camp (LSHT Hiker Guide website indicates turnoff is 1.1 miles further)

Camp at Mercy Hiker Camp

Miles today: 6.3 miles. Total to date: 6.3 miles

Possible Bailout: FM 2025.


Monday, March 6, 2017

Hike 3.4 miles to a pond

Fill up water vessels here or at the next pond

Hike 1.8 miles to a pond

Fill up water vessels here if we didn't fill up at the previous pond

Hike 1.5 miles to Tarkington Hiker Camp

Camp at Tarkington Hiker Camp

Miles today: 6.7 miles. Total to date: 13.0 miles

Possible Bailout: FM 2666.


Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Hike 3.8 miles Big Creek

Optional: Fill up water vessels here

Hike 4.1 miles to Hiker Camp #1 (Hiker Guide website indicates 75.7, with FS220 crossing at 75.6)

Say goodbye to the first Half-Week Fitpacking participants who will hike another 1.9 miles and be shuttled back to the hotel for a hot shower and a meal.

Camp at Hiker Camp #1 near Double Lake Branch of Big Creek (water here), FS 220

Miles Today: 7.9. Total to Date: 20.9

Possible Bailout: FS 217


Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Hike 4.5 miles to the East Fork San Jacinto River (water available here)

The bridge is out and crossing may be hazardous to ford during high water. We may need to take a 1.8 mile detour.

Hike 2.5 miles to Hiker Camp #2

Camp at Hiker Camp #2

Miles Today: 7.0. Total to Date: 27.9

Possible Bailout: FM 2025


Thursday, March 9, 2017

Hike 1.2 miles to Butch Arthur Road

Hike 2.4 road miles to Evergreen Baptist Church

Fill up water from outside tap behind sanctuary at Evergreen Baptist Church

Hike 2.2 road miles back to Trailhead #9 Big Woods

Hike 3.0 miles to Big Woods Hiker Camp, FS 202D

Camp at Big Woods Hiker Camp, FS 202D

Miles today: 8.8 miles. Total to date: 36.7 miles

Possible bailout: FM 945


Friday, March 10, 2017

Hike 1.3 miles to a pond (water available)

Hike 7.0 miles to a pond (water available)

Hike 0.2 miles to East 4 Notch Hiker Camp

Camp at East Four Notch Prmitive Hiker Camp

Miles today: 8.5 miles. Total to date: 45.2 miles

Possible Bailout: FS 207 or FS 202


Saturday, March 11, 2017

Hike 3.1 miles to Boswell Creek (water available)

Note: Boswell Creek can be difficult to ford in high water

Hike 3.2 miles to TH #8, Four Notch Rd.

End of Hike

Miles Today: 6.3. Total to Date: 51.5

Shuttle back to the Hampton Inn & Suites Houston North IAH, 707 N Sam Houston Pkwy E, Houston, TX, 77060, 281-447-6400

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony at local restaurant (dinner not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, March 12, 2017

Free breakfast in Hotel

Check out of Hotel

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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