Woodlands Explorers

Nearby cute little state park with hilly, woodsy trails and near the Davy Crockett National Forest! Also near a small state historical park - Caddo Mounds State Historical Site, and the Alabama Creek Wildlife Management Area.

About 1:46 minutes away from WDL! Crockett is last town on the way there, so stop there for last minute supplies!

I have 4 & 5; both are pad sites with one car driveways. Pullover spots for set up. It’s a smaller park; spillover at showers or day use if we have to.

Average temperatures range from lower forties to mid sixties, so be prepared for cold! Layers and a good sleeping bag are the way to go.

FYI: free primitive camping at Neches Bluff Campground if state parks are just too boojie for you!

Activities will be planned for each day and posted as open day events on MeetUp as well.

Thursday:
- arrive, set up
- hike easy trails, get familiar with park

Friday:
- Hike Mission Tejas trails- hilly!

• I’d do some elevation training, stair masters or similar.
• morning hike, lunch at camp, afternoon hike

Saturday:
- Hike part of Crockett from Neches Bluff - similar to Lone Star but less traveled. Several options.
- Picnic Lunch
- Continue to Caddo Mounds for afternoon - small fee
- Potluck dinner if you’re interested!

Sunday:
- Hike part of Crocket from Ratcliff Recreation Area
- day passes needed, available on site

Monday:

• Hike Alabama Creek WMA

Tuesday: departure

Caveats: I am working on a knee issue so will be slow and taking it easier than usual. Please move at your own pace and enjoy yourselves, but be able to guide or orient on your own. These aren’t complex hikes, but have a map, gps, or app!

Also, I am not a professional but merely an enthusiast who enjoys sharing my enjoyment. Be prepared, responsible, and respectful of others and we’ll get along swimmingly.

Let’s explore the 4-C (Central Coke & Coal Company) trail from the westernmost tip at Neches Bluff!

3-5 miles out, then return for a total of 6-10 miles! Planned around the old logging company's tramways, running among former logged-out land with forests that have been re-growing since the 1920s.

Moderate pace, around 2.2 mph, to take about 4 to 5 hours total. Since it’s an out and back, you can adjust time and length as you see fit! Loops are possible on main forest Management Road. Just be sure you have maps or apps and are comfortable navigating on your own.

This is not a first time visit for me, so I can speak directly about trail conditions or difficulty. Pretty similar to Lone Star but used less. I expect that it is easy to moderate on a Texas scale if you’re a regular walker in the woods.

There is limited parking and an outhouse of some sort for the daring. The trail also crisscrosses forest service roads if special circumstances arise. We’re all amateur enthusiasts, so no guarantees or formal responsibilities implied, but please join us for some fun outdoors!

Temperatures will vary, so be ready for cold or rain!
I would recommend insect repellent, too, and sunscreen. Carry plenty of water and snacks as well. Semper preperavit!

This is part of a weekend camping meetup nearby, but all are welcome! Be sure to double check for changes, but we’ll do everything we can to stick to the plan.

Pack a lunch; we plan on visiting the Caddo Mounds State Historical Park up the road next!

Let’s explore the 4-C (Central Coke & Coal Company) trail from the eastern side!

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920.

4-5 miles out, then return for a total of 8-10 miles! Planned around the old logging company's tramways, running among former logged-out land with forests that have been re-growing since the 1920s.

Moderate pace, around 2.2 -2.5 mph, to take about 5 to 6 hours total. Since it’s an out and back, you can adjust time and length as you see fit! Just be sure you have maps or apps and are comfortable navigating on your own.

This is a first time visit for me, so I cannot speak directly about trail conditions or difficulty. Pretty similar to Lone Star but used less. I expect that it is easy to moderate on a Texas scale if you’re a regular walker in the woods.

There is parking and facilities as we will be using day pass access. The trail also crisscrosses forest service roads if special circumstances arise. We’re all amateur enthusiasts, so no guarantees or formal responsibilities implied, but please join us for some fun outdoors!

Temperatures will vary, so be ready for cold or rain!
I would recommend insect repellent, too, and sunscreen. Carry plenty of water and snacks as well.

Semper preperavit!

This is part of a weekend camping meetup nearby, but all are welcome! Be sure to double check for changes, but we’ll do everything we can to stick to the plan.

Since it's mid-day, I would have a light lunch or serious snack to keep up your energy. We usually pause mid way and rest a little, stretch, snack, etc.

The Alabama Creek W.M.A. has 14,561 acres located in Trinity County. There are paths and forest service roads to walk. It's a huge area, so we'll do an out and back for a few hours and call it a hike. Shooting for 6 miles but will go as far as a time of 3 hours permits.

First time visit, so have your Explorer hat on!

The WMA is part of the Davy Crockett National Forest and was established as a state game management area for public hunting and wildlife viewing. Forest management efforts have provided favorable habitats for many species of wildlife.

Please Note

• Bring your own drinking water.
• Insect repellant is recommended for mosquitoes.
• There are no restroom facilities.
• The WMA is not wheel-chair accessible.
• Primitive camping is available.

This is part of a camping trip in it's own Meetup, but all welcome. Be sure to watch for any changes as the time approaches, but we'll do our best to match the plan.