Lone Star Hiking Trail

Now that I'm home from a 3-day hike with Amy on the Lone Star Hiking Trail (showered, fed, and rested), here are some pictures to share the experience.

 

Amy & I met at a GPS class at REI.  The class was a bust, but it was so exciting to meet another PCT thru-hiker hopeful!  Here we are at the trailhead.  In our haste to get started, we didn't notice this was parking lot #2...ooops, we wanted #1!  We found it a little ways down the road and were quick to hit the trail after our dress rehearsal at parking lot #2.

 

Dinnertime! This was the first real meal on the trail. Mom sent some meals to try as contenders for the PCT and where better to try them than on the trail?!?! Tonight's meal was Mexican Beans and Rice. It's a winner. Thanks, Mom :)

 

 

Camp, first night on the trail.  I'm so clean...and still smell pretty good.  Thank goodness I remembered how to set up my tent--it had been awhile.

 

 

This is pretty much what the whole trail looked like.  Not a lot of variety.  Not a lot of hills--none to be exact.  Not a lot of water--just some stagnant ponds and creeks.  It was a great place for a practice hike though.  And, I've never found such flat spots for a tent! 

 

Speaking of stagnant ponds...  We kept an eye out for alligators walking by this one.  Tried out my new buff.  Anything to cover my dirty bed head is a good thing.

 

 

Last year's drought has left a lot of trees across the trail.  Many required climbing over.  This one showed some respect for the trail and left enough room for us to hike underneath...and for that, "we thank you" :)

 

This was the view from my tent after the second day of hiking.  Fell asleep this night to the sound of coyotes howling at the full moon.

We had a short hike out this morning.  I think both Amy & I were getting our trail legs.  We felt good and the trail ended before we were ready.  We made arrangements to meet Mark, another Houston area PCT thru-hiker hopeful, for breakfast where we got some tips on electronics for the trail.  Thanks, Mark!  The trail comraderie is already starting.  All three of us have different start dates but we plan on seeing each other at Kick Off.

My bed is gonna feel soooooo good tonight...zzzzz