Lone Star Mountaineering Path Backpacking Information

Seeking to escape the snow and revel in a backpacking journey with heat temperatures and inexperienced leaves? Then look no additional than the Texas Lone Star Mountaineering Path! Many thru-hikers might dismiss this path as flat and boring, but it surely makes an awesome getaway when the winter blues are at their worst. The mellow terrain makes this an awesome selection for newbie hikers trying to get out for per week or for extra skilled thru-hikers trying to dial in new gear earlier than their subsequent huge journey.

A silty creek turns around a bank in a forest of green, leafy trees. Sunlight is shining down through the trees. — Huge Creek Scenic Space is considered one of our favourite sections of the LSHT. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Fast Details

Distance: 94.8 miles
Days Wanted: 5-7 days
Peak Elevation: 445 ft
Low Elevation: 191 ft in Winters Bayou
Elevation Achieve/Loss (Approximate): 6,282 ft
Greatest Time to Hike: January-April
Permits: None
Issue: Simple

A sign with a small tree painted on it reads "high point 445'" and is attached to a post in the woods. — LSHT excessive level. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Highlights

Usually inexperienced and snow-free a lot earlier within the 12 months than different elements of the nation
Properly-marked, easy-to-follow path
Flat terrain is straightforward on the physique and nice for newbie backpackers
A lot of tree range
Huge Creek Scenic Space is attractive
Near Houston space for straightforward entry
Shorter size makes it doable in per week

Close up of a turtle with its head and legs pulled inside the shell sitting on the ground in some pine needles. — Regardless that the LHT is near the Houston metro space, there may be nonetheless some wildlife to be discovered. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Lowlights

Some hikers discover this path “boring” as a consequence of flat terrain and inexperienced tunnel surroundings
Humid year-round
San Jacinto Creek could be tough to cross at occasions
A lot of highway strolling for such a brief path

An orange and white sign with caution tape sits in front of the trail. A poster is taped to it and says "This section of the LSHT Trail closed today 3/19/2023 for prescribed burning". — Prescribed burns are widespread within the spring. Hikers ought to examine with the forest service earlier than heading out to see if any burns are scheduled. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Greatest Time to Hike

It’s technically doable to hike the LSHT year-round as a result of mellow terrain and lack of snow within the winter. Nevertheless, summers could be brutally sizzling, and the falls are fairly dry. As such, winter and early spring are typically the most effective occasions to hike. Water is extra ample and temperatures are extra nice from January to February.

Close up of some bright, purple flowers. — One of many advantages of climbing in spring is the ample wildflowers alongside the path. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Issue of Path

Although there are some difficulties related to the LSHT being an in a single day journey, typically it’s thought of straightforward compared to different backpacking journeys of comparable size as a result of comparatively flat terrain and well-marked path. After all, there are at all times issues when planning any backpacking journey. Under are some issues to bear in mind when planning to hike the Lone Star Mountaineering Path.

A wide, dirt trail runs straight away from the viewer through some trees and low plants. — Good, vast path tread on the LSHT. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

HEAT & HUMIDITY

The LSHT could be fairly heat and humid a lot of the 12 months, which might current hazards for many who will not be accustomed to those situations. Even in March we discovered lots of the nights to be fairly heat for sleeping, and it solely will get worse because the 12 months goes on. Plan forward to remain cool, drink loads of water, and layer accordingly.

WATER

We didn’t have any points discovering water, however it is a widespread criticism amongst thru-hikers. Water will probably be extra available in the course of the winter and spring months versus the dry season of late summer time and fall. Planning to hike throughout wetter months of the 12 months could make a huge impact on how a lot water you want to carry. That is very true for many who are much less snug managing water on an extended backpacking journey.

A brown, calm creek is shown with sandy banks on either side of it. — The bridge at San Jacinto creek is out of fee. This could be a tough crossing and should require a reroute after heavy rain. Discover the steep financial institution on the photographer’s facet. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

ROAD WALKS

There are a stunning variety of highway walks given the shorter total size of this thru-hike. Roughly 12 miles of the path is on roads, although a great portion of that’s grime fairly than pavement. The shut proximity to an city space and lack of path tradition imply that it will be tough to hitch round these sections. Unfastened canines roaming on their homeowners’ property is one thing hikers who select to finish the highway walks must also pay attention to.

A German Shepherd Dog wearing an orange backpack and a Border Terrier are sitting on the shoulder of a two lane road. The area to the left is open and grassy. There is a line of trees bordering the road to the right. — The LSHT passes beneath I-45 on one of many highway walks. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

SHUTTLING

As a result of it is a point-to-point hike, it’s obligatory to rearrange a shuttle journey both at the start or finish of this hike. We typically favor to e book a shuttle for the start of a visit to keep away from speeding to satisfy a deadline or sitting round ready for an appointment on the finish of a visit. There are people on the Lone Star Mountaineering Path Fb group who’re prepared to assist out thru-hikers.

Planning Your Itinerary

Assets for this hike are a bit extra restricted in comparison with longer, better-known trails. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless simply doable, even for a newbie, with some willpower. When planning a thru-hike, we discovered the Lone Star Mountaineering Path Membership web site to be useful, significantly the turn-by-turn PDF out there on the thru-hiker web page. We downloaded the information to our cellphone and used that together with a GPX file on GAIA GPS to navigate. The Lone Star Mountaineering Path Fb group can also be an awesome useful resource for planning or arranging a shuttle.

A red and white metal blaze with the number "96" is attached to a tree using nails. The tree has another blaze and some pink surveyor's tape around it and is surround by leafy, green trees. — Along with white blazes, there are mile markers alongside your entire path. Markers are numbered west to east. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

MAPS & RESOURCES

CalTopo: Overview Map

CAMPING

A lot of the 12 months, tenting is allowed wherever on public land. Nevertheless, hikers hitting the path throughout looking season ought to make certain to camp in designated looking camps. Pitching a tent in different areas throughout this time of 12 months is just not solely prohibited, but in addition a security concern. Designated looking camps are listed on the Lone Star Mountaineering Membership web site. Looking season spans from late September to late January.

A close up picture of a small mushroom growing among some moss. — There are various small wonders on the LSHT. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Which Method to Hike

Hikers actually have their selection on whether or not to hike this path eastbound or westbound. Some thru-hikers report preferring to hike eastbound to take care of the Winters Bayou mud on the finish of their thru-hike fairly than the start. One other advantage of that route is that it feels extra like climbing downhill, although this distinction is negligible on such a flat path. Total, we recommend selecting a route primarily based on which trailhead is nearer to the place you may be coming from.

A board walk runs through a mucky area surrounded by leafy trees. — A lot of the water crossings and marshy areas have bridges. Nevertheless, some areas can turn into moist after heavy rain. Winters Bayou (pictured) is a type of locations. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Getting There

Each the east and west path heads are positioned about an hour from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston. Everything of the LSHT is north of Houston and the drive between LSHT Trailhead #1 and #9 is simply about 40 minutes on farm roads. Each ends of the path have decent-sized parking tons, and hikers can go away autos parked for as much as two weeks at their very own threat. We discovered them to be straightforward to entry utilizing GPS navigation when driving in from out of city.

A woman holding a small Border Terrier and a German Shepherd dog are both sitting in front of a trailhead sign in the woods. — The japanese terminus of the Lone Star Mountaineering Path. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

How one can Resupply

It is rather doable to hike the LSHT without having to resupply, significantly for extra skilled backpackers. For many who want to hike at a slower pace, there are a handful of comfort shops, grocery shops, and lodges that may be accessed from the path. Comfort shops could be reached with lower than 2 miles of strolling, a method, from trailheads #7, #11, and #14. Different resupply areas and lodging are finest accessed utilizing a shuttle or Uber. The Lone Star Mountaineering Path Membership has an inventory of resupply areas on their web site on the thru-hike web page beneath the “help” tab.

A brown sign says: "Little Lake Creek Wilderness. Sam Houston National Forest" — There are a number of wilderness and scenic areas on the LSHT. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Gear Record

Make sure that to take a look at our Final Backpacking Guidelines so that you don’t neglect one thing necessary.

Under you’ll discover our present favourite backpacking gear. If you wish to see extra choices, our curated gear guides are the results of a few years of intensive analysis and hands-on testing by our crew of outside specialists.

BACKPACK

Greatest Backpacking Pack Total: REI Flash 55 – Males’s / REI Flash 55 – Girls’s
Greatest Ultralight Backpacking Backpack: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 40
Extra: Try our finest backpacking backpacks information for ultralight and trekking choices

TENT

Greatest Backpacking Tent Total: Huge Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
Greatest Ultralight Tent: Zpacks Duplex
Greatest Funds Tent: REI Half Dome SL 2+
Greatest Tent Stakes Total: All One Tech Aluminum Stakes
Extra: Try our finest backpacking tents information for extra choices

SLEEPING BAG/QUILT

Greatest Sleeping Bag Total: Males’s Feathered Mates Swallow YF 20 / Girls’s Feathered Mates Egret YF 20
Greatest Quilt Total: Enlightened Tools Revelation 20
Extra: Try our finest backpacking sleeping baggage information and finest backpacking quilts information for extra choices

SLEEPING PAD

Greatest Sleeping Pad Total: NEMO Tensor All-Season
Greatest Foam Sleeping Pad: NEMO Switchback
Extra: Try our finest backpacking sleeping pads information for ultralight and trekking choices

CAMP KITCHEN

Greatest Backpacking Range Total: MSR PocketRocket 2
Greatest Backpacking Cookware Total: TOAKS Titanium 750ml
Greatest Backpacking Espresso Total: Starbucks VIA
Extra: Try our finest backpacking stoves information and finest backpacking cookware information for ultralight and enormous group choices

WATER & FILTRATION

Greatest Water Filter Total: Sawyer Squeeze
Greatest Hydration Bladder Total: Gregory 3D Hydro
Greatest Backpacking Water Bottles: Smartwater Bottles
Extra: Try our finest backpacking water filters information and finest backpacking water bottles information for ultralight and enormous group choices

CLOTHING

Greatest Mountaineering Pants Total: Males’s Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi / Girls’s The North Face Aphrodite 2.0
Greatest Mountaineering Shorts Total: Males’s Patagonia Quandary / Girls’s Out of doors Analysis Ferrosi
Greatest Girls’s Mountaineering Leggings: Fjallraven Abisko Trekking Tights HD
Greatest Rain Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L / Girls’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Greatest Rain Pants: Males’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L / Girls’s Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
Greatest Down Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie / Girls’s Patagonia Down Sweater Hoodie
Greatest Fleece Jacket Total: Males’s Patagonia Higher Sweater / Girls’s Patagonia Higher Sweater
Greatest Sunshirt Total: Males’s Out of doors Analysis Echo / Girls’s Out of doors Analysis Echo
Greatest Socks Total: Males’s Darn Powerful Gentle Hiker Micro Crew / Girls’s Darn Powerful Gentle Hiker Micro Crew
Beste Ultralight Liner Glove: Patagonia Capilene Midweight Liner
Extra: Try our finest backpacking attire lists for extra choices

FOOTWEAR & TRACTION

Greatest Mountaineering Sneakers Total: Males’s HOKA Speedgoat 6 / Girls’s HOKA Speedgoat 6
Greatest Mountaineering Boots Total: Males’s Salomon X Extremely 4 GTX / Girls’s Lowa Renegade GTX
Greatest Mountaineering Sandals Total: Males’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional / Girls’s Chaco Z/1 Traditional
Greatest Camp Sneakers Total: Crocs Traditional Clogs
Greatest Traction Gadget for Mountaineering Total: Kahtoola MICROspikes
Extra: Try our finest backpacking footwear lists for extra choices

NAVIGATION

Greatest GPS Watch Total: Garmin Intuition 2 Photo voltaic
Greatest Private Locator Beacon (PLB): Garmin inReach Mini 2
Extra: Try our article How one can Use Your Cellphone as a GPS Gadget for Backpacking & Mountaineering to study extra

FOOD

FIRST-AID & TOOLS

Greatest First-Assist Package Total: Journey Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .7
Greatest Pocket Knife Total: Kershaw Leek
Greatest Multitool Total: Leatherman Wave+
Greatest Headlamp Total: Black Diamond Spot 400-R
Greatest Energy Financial institution Total: Nitcore NB 10000 Gen 3
Extra: Try our finest first-aid Package information, finest pocket knife information, finest multitool information, finest backpacking headlamps information, and finest energy banks information for extra choices

MISCELLANEOUS

Greatest Trekking Poles Total: Black Diamond Pursuit
Greatest Backpacking Chair Total: REI Flexlite Air
Greatest Backpacking Stuff Sack Total: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Drawstring
Extra: Try our finest trekking poles information, finest backpacking chairs information, and finest stuff sacks information for extra choices

A white blaze is nailed to a pine tree in a forest. — The LSHT is effectively marked with blazes. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

Conclusion

The Lone Star Mountaineering Path is nice for many who want a fast reprieve from winter’s grasp. With its comparatively straightforward terrain and entry to a significant metropolis, this Texas path is one to take a look at in your subsequent stint of PTO.

And you’ll want to take a look at a few of our different in style content material:

Wide angle picture of some pine trees at dusk. — There’s a stunning quantity of range on the LSHT, together with with the bushes. – Photograph Credit score: Bailey Bremner (CleverHiker.com)

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