Yeah, I know. Whenever I go to a new location for hiking, it becomes my new favorite. I can’t say it will always be that way, but it has been lately.

A new favorite: Cleburne State Park. WOW! And one of the best things, it is an all-weather hike due to its rocky nature. There are some trails where you might get mud on your shoes, but very few. Most of the trails would be considered moderate in terms of difficulty. The ratings on the AllTrails.com website are easy, moderate, and difficult. Moderate is a relative term. It could be difficult for anyone not used to hiking off paved trails. This is one of those trails. I did not take a walking stick or trekking poles. On the next trip, I will definitely take my hiking pole. Take at least a hiking pole because there is a lot of loose rock in some areas where you are going down a steep grade. It would be easy to step in the wrong spot and tumble downhill, possibly causing severe injury.

The primary trail I followed was around the outside perimeter of the boundary, which went around Cleburne Lake. Almost the entirety of this trail, which was 3-4 miles, was through a wooded area. There were offshoots from the trail to scenic lookouts, campsite, and lake facilities. I took so many side trips that I couldn’t accurately measure the boundary trail on my pedometer. I hiked all the way around from the parking, around the lake, and back for a bit over 5 miles. I did another mile on a trail leading away from the lake area.

There are also several miles of mountain bike trails a person can hike. I have found that bike trails are less than ideal for hiking. They have a lot of switchbacks and circular trails, so you end up not going anywhere. Bike trails are for exercise and challenges for bike riders and are less about the scenery and going places to see new things.

I could say a lot more about the Cleburne trails, but I will let my camera do the rest of the talking.

 

The little red arrow is where I parked. Going up, it has a line showing the boundary of the park. The trail follows the boundary, then under the spillway, and back to the parking place.
Typical trail, rocky and uneven, but easy to hike.
This was steep, but not rocky. There is a bypass for this spot when a lot of rain makes it impassable.
Lots of areas with up and down grades. Some are worth having a hiking pole.
If I remember correctly, there were only two bridges.
Few parts of the trail were this smooth and wide.
Lots of loose rocks and uneven surfaces.
This was a pretty one.
Somehow these seemed steeper than the photos show.
Okay, here’s what I’m talking about. Definite hiking pole section.
And another one.
As you can see, the lake is down. This is looking North.
This is looking at the dam on the South end of the lake.
The beginning of the spillway.
Another hiking pole section. I will bring one next time, for sure.
This is looking up from the spillway. From here, the trail leads back through some wooded area to where I parked.

 

Jerry The Great Outdoors

2 Replies

  2. Well, I have to say, this place is absolutely beautiful and looks quite peaceful and inviting! Although I live in “the country”, as some may say, getting outside my little piece of “backwoods”, is something I want to explore more! Thank you Jerry for sharing this and the beautiful photos! Inspiring! Oh, and yes, I agree, with the hiking pile, or walking stick, or whatever may be useful, for such hikes as these!! ✌️❤️

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