Hiker's Guide

A HIKER'S GUIDE FOR THE LONE STAR TRAIL

By: Don Brewington

February 12, 1999

Maps and trail information can be obtained from the Sam Houston National Forest in New Waverly, Texas. Covered are cautions and signs that appear on the trail. The following guide is my experience with through hiking of this trail. Water is most important. If you do not have some one supplying you with water and food along the trail, I suggest you bury a few gallons at various spots along the way. The trail is mileage marked from west to east. There are two marker system; one with 4 x 4 post with the miles carved on top and the other is by metal 2 x 3 plates that are red with a white diamond that will have the miles in the diamond. These markers do not coincide but they are within a half-mile of each other. At Evergreen on Highway 150 is the only place on the trail where food can be obtained (mile #66). If it has been raining the low lands can be muddy and some of the creeks will be difficult to cross. If there are high wind, find an open area and watch out for falling trees and limbs. In wet weather the Winters Bayou section could be messy and difficult to hike

Trail Description start on West Side near Richards, Texas

The Trailhead is located off TX 149 on FS 219. From the trailhead you will see the blaze signs which are 2' by 3' metal plates are nailed to trees. Most of these metal blaze signs will be painted white on the main trail. There are many side trails of animals and old logging trails, so watch for changes in the trail. If you walk for 5 minutes and do not see a blaze sign, back up till you find one and see where you missed the trail. There are many sharp turns, so stay alert. When talking with a hiking partner, it is easy to miss a turn. Carry a compass in the event you get lost and need a way out. Study your maps so you always know where you can exit (Plan B it is called.)

At 0.16 miles the trail splits. Stay Left. The right trail is Little Lake Creek Trail and is marked with an orange stripe on the blaze sign. If you went Left you will go under a power fine at 0.24miles.

There may be trees down across the trail so watch where the trail goes.

Mileage WEST END OF RICHARD SECTION (START OF TRAIL)

0.33	Pond on Left (May be dry in summer)
0.71	Bare Right
1.00	Mile marker on tree. I will not indicate each mile marker
1.4	Cross old logging trail. There are many of these you will cross on the trail. Make sure you watch the blaze signs.
1.6	Old log trail – stay to the Right
1.8	Cross gravel road FS 203
2.6	Pond on Right – Good lunch spot
3.3	Intersect Western Trail. Stay Left and cross creek

WEST END OF NORTH WILDERNESS SECTION

3.4	Road FS 211. Parking, Trailhead to left. Cross road and enter Wilderness section sign the card so Forest Service can get a head count.
3.8	Intersection of North Wilderness Trail to Left. Don't turn. Continue straight. There is no sign at this intersection now but hope to have one later.
5.1	Trail turns left. Entrance B to Wilderness Section. The trail that goes straight ahead is the Sand Branch Trail
5.8	Beginning of 2 board walks in this low area. Each about 150 feet
5.9	Second boardwalk
6.3	End of Wilderness area. Cross dirt road FS 231 and continue
6.8	Intersect Pole Creek Trail to Right. Go Left. Head North. The trail will follow along the general area of Pole creek. Water - A shallow sandy perennial creek
7.6	Small walking bridge
8.0	Intersect North Wilderness Trails east end. Turn Right and in 200 feet you will cross Pole Creek. No Bridge. If raining hard this could be difficult to cross.
8.6	Cross under power line

WEST END OF KELLY SECTION

8.7	Trailhead on Left. Cross Highway 149. Watch blaze signs for next several miles there are some sharp turns.
10.8	Fence
11.3	Gravel road (Osbone Road)
11.8	Intersect "Little Lake Creek Loop Trail" Which goes Right.
11.9	Bridge (48 foot) nice to have in wet weather. This is a muddy area and will be muddy for some time.
13.1	Small footbridge and then cross gravel road
13.3	Cross Gravel road. Sign pipeline
14.3	Gravel road. Right goes to Keeps Pond. GO LEFT stay on gravel road and intersect another gravel road FS 204 cross this road and enter woods at the hiker sign.

SOUTH END OF STUBBLEFIELD SECTION

15.8	Cross Highway 1375. There is a trailhead to the Left.
16.5	Good Camping Spot. On Lake Conroe. Few nice spots like this one.. Water - from lake
17.9	Foot bridge
19.7	Enter Stubblefield Campground. WATER and PHONE. Trail goes straight ahead through the campground to gravel road. Turn right and cross 200-foot bridge. Most of the times there are fishermen on the bridge. Both sides. Good catfish can be caught here.

SOUTH END OF BATH SECTION

20.3	3 Trail leaves road FS 215 and enters woods to Right. About 300 feet the trail takes a sharp Left. Watch, as there is a trail that goes straight.
21.0	Cross gravel road and a power line.
21.2	Sharp left before crossing creek
21.5	Gravel road leading to house on Right
22.1	Pass a bearing tree
23.1	FM 1374. Dogs at house west of trail make a lot of noise.
23.5	Old Log trail sharp Left then Right
24.5	Old Road. Turn Right and follow for 0.2 miles where trail turns Left at Hikers sign.
26.4	Come to Metal Gate and gravel road. This is the old Bath road. Turn Right and walk the road for 1.5 miles and you come to the comer of Bath and Ball road. Turn Right and go about 0.1 miles to gravel road that goes Left. You will go by a new house. Continue straight.

WEST END OF HUNTSVILLE SECTION

28.6	Trail leaves road into woods. Turn Right
28.9	Top of pond dam
30.1	Fence with hikers gate. Wires cut on fence
32.0	You come to a paved road. Turn Left and in a couple hundred feet you will come to small brick building on South side of dam. The lake on the Left is in Elkins Lake subdivision. Cross the dam. There are metal poles at both ends with openings at the side for hikers to go through. Right after going through the north end of the dam the trail turns Right. There is a new House on the Left. Water from lake
32.2	After entering woods you will pass under a power One and will see a hiker's sign.
33.2	Cross Alligator Creek and turn Left. The trail will follow the creek fine for about a mile. Water - shallow sandy creek
34.2	Footbridge

EAST END OF HUNTSVILLE SECTION

35.0	You will come to parking area off the feeder road of I-45. Turn right and follow the feeder road for 0.7 of a mile to Park Road 40. The trail turns Left and goes under I-45 on Park Road 40. If you turn Right at 40 you will enter the Huntsville State Park. Good camping. Showers. Water and Coke machine. No Food. Through hikers like to stop here and clean up.
35.7	Continue on 40 for a mile and intersect US 75. Turn Right for 0.1 miles and then turn Left on Evelyn Lane. Sign at corner. Go about 0.3 miles and there will be a Blue Metal gate to private property. To the Right of the gate you will see the Hiker's Sign and entry to woods.

WEST END OF PHELPS SECTION

37.0	Trail leaves Evelyn Lane to Left. About 200 feet you see Mile Marker 37.
38.0	Power Line
38.2	Small foot bridge
39.3	You come to Evelyn Road again. Turn Left and continue on road for 0.3 miles.
40.8	Old Mile marker 41
42.0	East end of Phelps Section: 275 feet and you come to FM2290. Turn Left and in 0.5 miles you will come to Four Notch Road. Turn Right on dirt road. It is about 2.4 miles of walking on this road before you turn Left on FS 213 Some times a truck will stop and give you a lift over this section. A few dogs on the road. At FS 213 go about 0.2 miles and you will see the entrance of the trail on the Right.

WEST END OF FOUR NOTCH SECTION

(This section has a loop trail that is marked with red horizontal stripe).

45.0	Parking Lot on Left of trailhead.
45.3	Trail will divide. Straight-ahead is a loop trail and to the Right is the main trail. There is a sign at this place.
46.5	Camping area for hunters. Can be messy. In a 100 feet or so you will cross a gravel road and another 100 feet you "I see the hiker's sign. Enter woods
47.3	Open area. Good camping spot. No water
47.8	Cross old log road good camping to Right. No water.
48.0	Watch signs in this area. There are some low spots in the area. HALFWAY POINT
48.2	Cross Creek. This is Boswell Creek and can be difficult to cross if raining.
49.4	Loop trail intersects main trail. Go straight.
49.6	Trail turns Right and follows Briar Creek.
49.9	Cross Briar Creek. Bridge.
50.4	Cross Gravel road FS206.
51.5	Pond on Left. Good Camping Spot.
51.7	End of Four Notch Section. Road turns Left on gravel road go 0.7 miles and come to intersection of gravel road FS202.Turn Right and (2 miles to intersection of FS 202 and FS 207. There are mile markers on the road #52 and #54.

NORTH END OF BIG WOOD SECTION

54.2	There will be a mile marker 54.2 on entrance.
56.9	Bearing tree and old fence one. There are many small creeks in this section. Common to area.
58.2	Trail comes within 100 feet of FS 202. A mile marker sign is on the road that says #59. You have now come 59 miles. Trail turns Right.
59.8	Cross gravel road FS 202D
60.5	Watch for turn to Right
62.8	Trail head. Mile Marked on tree 62.8.

SOUTH END OF BIG WOODS SECTION

Turn Left on dirt road and walk 0.2 miles and intersect FS 202. Turn Right and walk 1.7 miles on dirt road, watch for dogs. Intersect Highway 150 turn Left and in 0.3 miles you will see the flashing traffic light at Evergreen. FM 945 intersects Highway 150 at the flashing fight. Turn Right and walk 2.7 miles to Jacobs Road where the Trailhead is on the corner. The section from here to Double Lake is called the Magnolia Section. I find it nice to have some one meet me at the South end of the last section and take me to this point on FM 945. 1 don't like road walking and this section is just shy of 5 miles

MAGNOLIA SECTION

This section takes you to Double Lake. The nature of the forest changes in this section, you will see many Magnolia trees and much of the walk will follow creeks. You will cross the San Jacinto River (east branch of the river).
67.4	Start of Magnolia Section Trailhead.
68.1	Watch for Left turn. Trail has been moved away from an oil pumper.
68.3	Cross a small footbridge. Water from pernnial stream on left
68.6	Primitive camp site # 2. No Water.
69.9	Cross a dirt road.
70.1	Small foot bridge.
70.6	Hiker's gate.
71.1	Cross East Fork San Jacinto River. Water from shallow sandy perennial creek on left
72.1	Pipe Line right of way.
72.5	Bridge with small pernnial stream
72.9	Metal gate.
73.1	Watch for turns.
73.8	Cross FM 2025 and shortly go under power fine. You go through a couple of Hiker's gates. There is a trailhead to the Right.

NORTH END OF BIG CREEK SCENIC SECTION

75.0	Lake Shore Trail around Double Lake. The Lone Star Trail takes a U-turn around the information sign. In the summer the concession stand is open. There are bathrooms and showers at Double Lake. Telephone is near concession stand; You are now 75.0 miles from the start of the Lone Star trail. In this section you will follow a creek line for 4 miles to the Big Creek Scenic Area where you will go west for several miles before heading south.
75.6	Cross gravel road FS 220 ALL MILE MARKERS WILL HAVE TWO NUMBERS STARTING HERE. THE MILES TO DOUBLE LAKE AND THE MILES FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE TRAIL.
75.7	Lone Star Primitive Campsite #1. No Water. For the next 4 miles you will pass over several footbridges. Some of these are being rebuilt. If there a heavy rain you might find some areas difficult to pass. There is Water in Big Creek, this is a perennial stream.
78.3	Hiker's gate and information board.
78.9	Intersection of Big Creek Trail to right. Go Left over bridge.
79.0	White Oak Trail to Right. about 75 feet you will come to the Magnolia Loop. Follow the main trail signs.
79.5	The trail takes a right on a raised area that was an old road. The trail now goes in almost a straight line for several miles.
79.6	Big Sign on Right with map of the Scenic area. You can see all the side trails. There is a trailhead to the Left about 500 feet. In the next half mile you will come to the Pine trail and the Big Creek trail
80.5	Information sign and gravel road FS 221

NORTH END OF TARKINGTON BAYOU SECTION

82.3	Trailhead and FM 2666 cross the road. The trail will follow the road for a short distance and then head south.
84.8	Cross dirt road. Turn Left and then Right.
85.9	Dirt road. Left then right. You continue to follow Tarkington Bayou.
89.8	Cross gravel road.

NORTH END OF WINTERS BAYOU SECTION

90.7	Trail head and FM 2025. Cross the road and start the last section
92.0	Very muddy area
92.4	Iron Bridge crossing East Fork San Jacinto River. There is always water in the river.
93.0	Trail Crosses FM 945
93.2	Base of old fire tower
94.1	Base of old fire tower
94.4	Gravel road
94.8	Gravel road and foot bridge
95.3	Bridge on side
95.5	Iron Bridge crossing Winters Bayou. There is always water in the river.
95.6	Foot bridge in bad condition
95.7	Power Line
95.8	Two foot bridges within 200 feet
96.1	End of Trail. South end of Winters Bayou