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Lone Star Hiking Trail, TX

Half Week Trip

Oct 21 - Oct 25, 2020 -- $725 ★

Description


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 23 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. It's still warm and sunny in October so why not extend your summer hiking season and join us?


Our journey will begin near the Interstate at the popular Huntsville State Park before heading into the so-called "4 Notch" and "Big Woods" sections.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical October 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 reasonably warm and temperate weather.



Trip Leaders

Chris Frey


Cost

$725 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, restaurant meals eaten off the trail and any gratuities for guides


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 3 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Important Note


If for some reason heavy rains or a hurricane comes through (like it did with Hurricane Harvey in 2018) we have created an alternate itinerary Option B below that traverses the so-called "Grand Loop". Although much of it is not on the official Lone Star Hiking Trail, it's very similar -- you wouldn't even know you're not on the official trail. Please check back for updates as the trip approaches.


Please Note: This is a half-week Trip that begins on a Wednesday that joins the full week trip already in progress. You may also choose to join us for the first half-week trip, to Sam Houston NF.


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


Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Fly or drive into Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH)

Alternatively, you can fly Southwest into Houston Hobby Airport (HOU) and take a cab / Uber / Lyft to our hotel

Take free airport shuttle to our local hotel Wingate by Wyndham Humble/Houston Intercontinental Airport 7114 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble, TX, 77338, 281-548-1402

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)



Thursday, October 22, 2020

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Check out of Hotel

Shuttle van will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Option A

Drive 1 hour North up I-45 to US-75 in Huntsville to meet the full-week hikers.

Hike 1.0 miles to US75

Hike 1.6 miles to Phelps Primitive Campsite

Hike 2.4 miles to small intermittent stream. This is the only water in this stretch and is unreliable

Hike 4.3 miles to "4 Notch Hunter Camp"

Camp at "4 Notch Hunter Camp", no water here

Miles today: 9.3 miles. Total to date: 9.3 miles

Possible bailout: US 75

 

Option B

Drive 1 hour to Osborn Rd at LSHT Mile 11.5 Meet the full-week hikers.=

Hike 0.5 miles on the Lone Star Hiking Trail to the Little Lake Creek Trail

Hike 0.5 miles on the Little Lake Creek Trail to a Hunter's Camp

Meet the full-week hikers at camp

Hike 5.4 miles to trailhead #4 / Caney Creek on FM 149

Hike 1.1 miles to a Hunter Camp

Camp at Hunter Camp

Miles Today: 7.5. Total to Date: 7.5

Possible Bailout: FM 149


Friday, October 23, 2020

Option A

Hike 0.3 miles on the Lone Star Hiking Trail to the Four Notch Loop Trail

Turn left and hike 4.9 miles on the Four Notch Loop Trail to the Lone Star Hiking Trail

Hike 2.3 miles to East Four Notch Prmitive Hiker Camp. Reliable water is found both 0.2 miles beyond and 0.2 before campsite

Camp at East Four Notch Prmitive Hiker Camp

Miles today: 7.5 miles. Total to date: 16.8 miles

Possible Bailout: Four Notch Road

 

Option B

Hike 5.6 miles to a Hunter Camp

Camp at Hunter Camp at the Sand Branch Trail

Miles Today: 5.6. Total to Date: 13.1

Possible Bailout: FM 149


Saturday, October 24, 2020

Option A

Turn back and hike 3.1 miles to Boswell Creek (water available)

Note: The bridge is broken but passable. 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: 23.1

 

Option B

Hike 6.0 miles to Trailhead #1 / Richards Parking Lot

End of Hike

Miles Today: 6.0. Total to Date: 19.1

Possible Bailout: FM 1375

 

Shuttle back to our local hotel Wingate by Wyndham Humble/Houston Intercontinental Airport 7114 Will Clayton Pkwy, Humble, TX, 77338, 281-548-1402

"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, October 25, 2020

Free Hotel Breakfast

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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