rainwatter's Logbook

Stats
Total Log Entries: 4 (Rank: 96th)  [List Them]  [Map Them]
Total Distance: 8.00 Miles (Rank: 218th)
Average Distance: 2.00 Miles

Average Rating: 3stars (3.11)
Average Difficulty: 1point5stars (1.95)
Average Solitude: 2point5stars (2.78)

Earliest Log Entry: 6/26/2008
Latest Log Entry: 7/30/2008

Average ratings are based on the published values and not the values entered in your own log entries.

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Log Entries
One Hot Trail
Old Settlers Park - 7/30/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 3.25 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 48 minutes

Little watterdrop and I conqured this trail, which was very easy (paved, no drastic changes in elevation) except for the heat.  There are few trees and much of the trail is black asphalt.  As the second portion of the trail is a loop, once you head out there is no quick way to get back so becareful if you have little ones.

That being said, the hike itself was very pleasant.  We saw a few other persons, but spent much of the day in relative solitude.  We brought along our fishing gear for the first part of the hike and took a break to try and catch a bass.  We didn't have much luck, but we caught several crawfish and the ducks were very friendly.  The second part of the hike we combined with some geocaching.

We saw a good variety of wildlife: Crawfish, turtles, minnows, ducks, a hawk, a cardnial, and several squirls.  We also identified some carnivor scat (probably a fox), racoon scat, and an owl pellet. 1013 cb.

Some trails are more difficult than others....
Chalk Ridge Falls Park - 6/30/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.75 Miles Duration: 2 minutes

After entering the trailhead, we took the first set of stairs down to the creekbed.  We followed the creek and crossed just passed where the bridge is washed out.  We then followed a path up the steep cliff (I'm sure it is not that bad, but with my 5 year old, it was very intense) and then back down between the waterfalls and the little damn.  We crossed the creek and stayed on the main path for a bit, and then took minor path that meanders alongside an expansion in the creek where we saw 3 snakes.

There were only a few places where we couldn't hear other park guests.

An easy, gentle hike.
Commons Ford - Pecan Grove Trail - 6/26/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 40 minutes

Little Watterdrop and I walked this smooth and easy trail around 3pm.  It was a pleasent afternoon, and while there were some boates on the lake, we did not meet anyone along the path.  We spent some time watching turtles in the creek and identifing some of the flora.  A great hike for those of us with little tag-a-longs!

Very interesting hike
Commons Ford - Waterfall Trail - 6/26/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 20 minutes

Little Watterdrop and I took this path after exploring the easier Pecan Grove trail.  We made it to the first set of falls before we realized that 1. the creek bed was all dried up (makes the waterfall significantly less interesting) and 2. it was getting late and I didn't want to get caught by the 6pm gate, or stuck in traffic on my way back home.  What we saw was very interesting, extreamly secluded, with lots of interesting flora and fauna.  We found a small patch of water isolated in the creekbed with about 100 tadpoles of various species.  The sound made by the Cypurs (?) branches in the wind was chilling, like something out of a horror movie.  We will try this again when we have had some rain in the area.