Backpacking on the Lone Star Trail

January 18-19, 2003

Weather: Sunny and cold, down to below freezing on Saturday night

Route: Start at parking area on I-45 feeder road on west side of highway.  It is a two-way feeder, so you exit at Huntsville State Park, turn left to go under the highway, then turn right to go north on the feeder.  Less than a mile you see the parking area and trail on the left.  That is mile 35 on the trail as indicated by the metal markers.  There are also wooden mile markers, but they looked older.  At 9:20, the first crew started west, travelling north of Huntsville State Park.  We stopped for lunch at about 11:30.  We arrived at the water drop on Bath Rd.(?) at about 2:15.  From there we just hiked into the forest a bit to camp at about mile 26.4 on the first night.   The second day, we continued on to Stubblefield camp site. 

At the start of the hike, LST_Jan001.jpg (463728 bytes) then things got a little silly LST_Jan002.jpg (461377 bytes).  Here are two guys that look like they have been on the trail a bit too long.LST_Jan006.jpg (387315 bytes)  Stopping for lunch means digging some food out of your bag, while others look on to see if it is any good.LST_Jan007.jpg (325712 bytes)  "Hey, why are you taking my picture?" LST_Jan008.jpg (322033 bytes)  More lunch pictures. LST_Jan009.jpg (317502 bytes) LST_Jan011.jpg (284244 bytes)  Here we were emerging from a heavily wooded area to a clearing. LST_Jan012.jpg (517889 bytes)  Time to stop for a break. LST_Jan013.jpg (401262 bytes)  This is my favorite shot of the bunch.LST_Jan014.jpg (288932 bytes)  Big deal, two guys, squeezing a water bag.  But look at that pot! LST_Jan015.jpg (200784 bytes)  Cooking quesadillas, notice the metal wind shield (and the nice pots again!).LST_Jan017.jpg (206408 bytes) 

At the campfire..LST_Jan018.jpg (264427 bytes)LST_Jan019.jpg (165826 bytes)LST_Jan020.jpg (195858 bytes)LST_Jan021.jpg (263479 bytes)

The second crew at the start of the second day--Sorry if I cut you out of the picture.LST_Jan022.jpg (460016 bytes)  There's a cute kid.LST_Jan023.jpg (472135 bytes) and some more...LST_Jan024.jpg (436451 bytes)LST_Jan030.jpg (285868 bytes)  Taking a break on a log.LST_Jan026.jpg (447428 bytes)  This one deserves a great title, but I could not come up with one that is worthy.LST_Jan027.jpg (387457 bytes)  And last but not least.  This one was going to be worth a lot of money. Public nudity is not allowed (we created a local rule on the trip).  I withstood withering threats :).  I could have been rich, but that STUPID camera strap got in the way.  Of all the dumb luck....LST_Jan025.jpg (239404 bytes)