Looking for thoughts on when would be best for an eastbound journey on the Lonestar trail north of Houston. Looks to be closed at the TH13, but maybe it will reopen in the new year? I will be living in Houston until late summer, so between now and then would be best. THanks!

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.

I'm planning an early summer trip to maintain my sanity through my upcoming extremely busy winter. Last year, I learned the hard way that June in Texas is not very enjoyable backpacking weather. I did it anyway, but I'd like to find some trip options that will have more tolerable weather in June.

Here are some options I've been looking at:

Gila Wildnerness, NM (12+hour drive)

Wichita Wildlife Refuge, OK (probably too hot)

Ouachita Section or Eagle Rock Loop, AR (heat/humidity)

CDT section hike, northern NM, likely Carson National Forest (11+ hour drive)

Buffalo National River (heat/humidity)

Are there some good options I've missed? I'd like to do 30-40 miles over 3-4 days. Loops or point to point/out and backs.

Would Guadelupe or Carlsbad be tolerably in June? NPS says average highs are in the high 80s which doesn't sound great, but if it's cooler at night I'd probably be good - just don't like the 75+ overnights.

Got a note in my inbox for a party at GG this Friday. Always nostalgic for me, since the gang that kicked off this sub met at one of these way back when. Kinda poetic (or just sappy). Ah, youth.

Anyways, says they’ll have some scratch and dent goodies for sale.

Copy from the email:

gear. friends. fun.

12.06.24

4-8 PM

130 Ralph Ablanedo Dr. STE 10 Austin, TX 78748

We usually discourage posting image only posts; this isn't Instagram. At r/ULTexas, we try to have substantive discussions concerning backpacking in our great state. However, it can be fun to check out other hikers' pictures.

Feel free to post those pics here! Please include when and where you took those pictures. Locations can be left vague. No need to give us the latitude and longitude numbers. The name of the park or trail will do.

Nostalgic pictures are fine as well. Maybe you'll see a picture that inspires you to get off reddit and get outside.

Where would you encourage a hike to start the new year? I have been thinking about a lash on the Ouchitia Trail.

12/26-1/4 total time available

Driving distance of Houston

Solo backpacking

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.

GUMO has revised their off trail hiking policy again, no longer requiring the $150 application fee, park supplied inReach device, and 8 hour time limit. Off-trail hikes now require only a wilderness permit, signing a waiver, proof of topo map and waste bags, and leaving your plan on the dash of your vehicle. All other park rules still apply, ie. no fires, no "wild" camping, etc.

Per a text from a ranger friend at GUMO: "Effective 11/30- The requirement to have a SUP (Special Use Permit) for any off trail hiking has been removed from the Superintendents Compendium"

However, they are already allowing off-trail hikes under the new rules per reports on the FB group.

We usually discourage posting image only posts; this isn't Instagram. At r/ULTexas, we try to have substantive discussions concerning backpacking in our great state. However, it can be fun to check out other hikers' pictures.

Feel free to post those pics here! Please include when and where you took those pictures. Locations can be left vague. No need to give us the latitude and longitude numbers. The name of the park or trail will do.

Nostalgic pictures are fine as well. Maybe you'll see a picture that inspires you to get off reddit and get outside.

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.

I'm doing half of the trail late this November to early December. It seems very similar to the AT but was wondering what the weather and water would be like during this time? It seems like water is more scarce but should I expect anything longer than a 10 mile water carry? Shelters seem to have less reliable water sources, so should I expect more dry camps in shelters? And will the temperature drop into the teens over night? Also, I saw comments that the trail can get rocky, will it be miles and miles of having to slog through boulder fields? Thanks!

We usually discourage posting image only posts; this isn't Instagram. At r/ULTexas, we try to have substantive discussions concerning backpacking in our great state. However, it can be fun to check out other hikers' pictures.

Feel free to post those pics here! Please include when and where you took those pictures. Locations can be left vague. No need to give us the latitude and longitude numbers. The name of the park or trail will do.

Nostalgic pictures are fine as well. Maybe you'll see a picture that inspires you to get off reddit and get outside.

Hey everyone, I am planning a Guadalupe Ridge Trail Thru hike and was wondering if anyone who has done it could answer a question I had about when to attempt the trail. I was planning either March or Early December as I've hiked in GUMO around similar times and it's been pleasant. I unfortunately can't do the recommended start time of October. Are either of these times feasible?

I'm flying into El Paso to do some backpacking at GUMO and BBNP in early October, and wondering where I might be able to pick up some fuel and other essentials. Looks like Cabela's only has the massive size and Dick's may not have it at all...I'd appreciate any suggestions y'all have. Thanks!

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.

I’ve been researching the park and planning routes for a trip during my fall break, 11/25-11/30. For some background, I’m hitting the south rim loop at Big Bend the weekend of 11/22-11/24, and then planning to shower + wash clothes at the Rio Grande Village Store, followed by driving to GUMO. I’m coming from Austin (~7.5 hours) so the Big Bend trip is 2 days (Afternoon + full day + Morning) and 2 nights. The long drive makes the planning of this a bit of a pain, as at least one of the hikes needs to start in the afternoon. I decided it was best to have Big Bend be the afternoon start, as there's a lot more campsites to choose from.

This makes the logistical planning for the follow on to guadalupe a bit difficult, so I figured I’d ask for some advice from y’all. I’m comfortable with big mileage and big elevation gain, in fact that’s why I wanted to come out to west texas so bad. I understand I need to carry all my water, that’s not a concern to me, as I’ve hiked enough to dial in my consumption pretty accurately. I plan to bring 3 gallons to be safe.

So onto the route itself. I've laid out a couple of options on Gaia, and would love some opinions from people who regularly head out to the park. I know that they recently changed the rules regarding off-trail travel, so I'm not sure how feasible the Guadalupe Peak -> El Capitan traverse or the Four Peak Traverse is anymore. Let me know what y'all think, and any other park-specific advice you have. Thanks!

ETA: I will be returning in the future to see the rest of the parks, as this is not even scratching the surface, but right now I'm a student so I have to cram in as much as I can, when I can.

Just a quick reconfirmation:

Thursday, September 12th at 7 PM

Billy’s On Burnet - Patio http://www.billysonburnet.com/

2105 Hancock Dr, Austin, TX 78756

(Yes, the patio out front—can’t miss it.)

No formal agenda. Just beers and talk about UL backpacking/ great trails.

First round’s on me.

See you there.

We usually discourage posting image only posts; this isn't Instagram. At r/ULTexas, we try to have substantive discussions concerning backpacking in our great state. However, it can be fun to check out other hikers' pictures.

Feel free to post those pics here! Please include when and where you took those pictures. Locations can be left vague. No need to give us the latitude and longitude numbers. The name of the park or trail will do.

Nostalgic pictures are fine as well. Maybe you'll see a picture that inspires you to get off reddit and get outside.

Anybody up for an meet and greet with a beer or 3 on a patio in Austin?

Billys on Burnett. 7 Pm Thursday Sept 12 7PM
Billys on Burnett. 7 Pm Thursday Sept 12 7PM

I am totally new to backpacking and camping in general. Hike quite a bit, athletic and did whole day hike before ( without proper backpack )

I’m going to do 2 day 1 night in Georgetown, and 1 day hike during my trip in Colorado this month as preparation as well.

I am planning trip to big bend, but feel like I should not do it solo, since I am pretty new to this. Let me know if anyone looking for people to hike the big bend, please

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.

We usually discourage posting image only posts; this isn't Instagram. At r/ULTexas, we try to have substantive discussions concerning backpacking in our great state. However, it can be fun to check out other hikers' pictures.

Feel free to post those pics here! Please include when and where you took those pictures. Locations can be left vague. No need to give us the latitude and longitude numbers. The name of the park or trail will do.

Nostalgic pictures are fine as well. Maybe you'll see a picture that inspires you to get off reddit and get outside.

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.

I've been curious about this trail for years. It was closed for a while due to hurricane damage, and there's still a bridge out... but I stopped by just to take a look. It appears there are enough trails to do a 14-mile out-and-back from the Nails/Birch Creek units. (28 mile total) It's flat as heck but pretty wooded, and civilization isn't encroaching like it has at Lake Georgetown. Has anyone ever hiked this?

I have backpacked most of the state parks in Texas, and stayed in the remote camping sites, but I have struggled finding parks with different locations for remote camping. So largely I have backpacked into a remote site and then hiked out with just a daypack from there. I am hoping to find a little more traditional experience. I am in DFW and can fairly easily drive 4-5 hours. I need y'alls recommendations for where to go?!

We usually discourage posting image only posts; this isn't Instagram. At r/ULTexas, we try to have substantive discussions concerning backpacking in our great state. However, it can be fun to check out other hikers' pictures.

Feel free to post those pics here! Please include when and where you took those pictures. Locations can be left vague. No need to give us the latitude and longitude numbers. The name of the park or trail will do.

Nostalgic pictures are fine as well. Maybe you'll see a picture that inspires you to get off reddit and get outside.

Is the ground water along this trail ok for drinking (filtered of course)?

To the fella who made the carbon stakes, I would like to buy another round. Set of 20

I just tried out a few options to make backpacking in the summer semi-pleasant and thought I’d share my findings.

The test trip: quick overnight at LBJ grasslands on the multi-use trail. I hiked in ~2.5 miles, camped, hiked out the next morning. Highs in the low 90s/lows in the low 70s. Very breezy, no rain.

Tip 1: hammock camp instead of tent camp. This was surprisingly great, so breezy. I was actually cold at night and had to grab my backup quilt. One con - I think I got mosquito bites through the hammock fabric while hanging out after dinner. I used the Covacure hammock from amazon ($28) and Foxelli diamond tarp ($25?). The whole setup is ~3 lbs, but I’m not carrying my air pad (~1lb), so it doesn’t add any weight to my pack compared to my tent (xmid 2).

Tip 2: bring a frozen water. This was amazing for the hike in when it was still so hot. Having cold water when you’re slogging through knee-high grass that’s maybe trail is such a moral booster.

Tip 3: ditch my sleeping bag for a fleece blanket - not great for me. This would work for me if it was warmer or less windy (it was very windy that night), but I was cold. I ended up using my 50f quilt. Maybe the fleece with a sleeping pad in the hammock would have been ok. I also think the fleece + pad in my tent would have been enough.

Final thoughts - this worked much better than I expected. I was way more comfortable sleeping temperature-wise and I like having the hammock when chilling at camp. Hiking in 90+ temps will never be super fun, but the camping experience was a big improvement over my last trip in my tent. The one thing I dislike about the hammock is it’s hard to temperature regulate as the conditions change - my quilt would have been too hot until it cooled off after midnight, then it was a pain to rearrange from fleece to quilt, everything was tangled around my legs or caught under me.

I’ll definitely use this setup for the summer, but I still prefer my tent when the weather is better.

Have you been on trail recently? Stumbled upon or dreamed up a killer new route?

In this post, we want to give you all the chance to update u/ULTexas and the Trail Database with the latest route you’ve put together through the Sam Houston National Forest, the mountains of West Texas, and everything in between. Maybe you simply want to update the latest conditions on one of our favorite trails you just experienced. We would all love the contribution to keep this an active resource.