--- Advertisement ---
facebook share
twitter share
pinterest share
flipboard share

Follow


Hiking in the Piney Woods of East Texas

Hiking in the Piney Woods of East Texas


avatar   Stacy
Trip Date 07/15/2017
Posted On 05/02/2018 15:14:57

Camping | Hikes | Texas | Coldspring | Lake Livingston | Big Creek Scenic Area



With our dinner cooking in the crockpot, we left "RV There Yet?" to explore the nearby area. A quick "what to do in Cold Spring, Texas" google search pointed us to Big Creek Scenic Area.

If you are in the Lake Livingston / Coldspring area and in search of some outdoor exercise in a nice (and free) hiking area, this is the place for you!


Entrance to Big Creek Scenic Area Parking

Entrance to Big Creek Scenic Area Parking

--- Advertisement ---


Hiking in Big Creek Scenic Area

There were no cars in the parking lot when we arrived, and since we started to hear some grumblings of thunder, we chose a short (.75 mile) hike - the Pine Trail.


Just Getting Started on the Pine Trail

Just Getting Started on the Pine Trail

There were three other trails to choose from (1.5, 2 and 5+ miles), but we didn't want to risk a longer hike in case we actually got any rain.


Big Creek Scenic Area Hiking Trails

Big Creek Scenic Area Hiking Trails

When we came to a choice of going straight or turning left shortly after starting our hike, we unknowingly cut our hike short (we should have gone straight). When we completed the "partial loop" (and stayed dry), we decided to try again - this time going straight.


Staying Dry on the Pine Trail!

Staying Dry on the Pine Trail!


Namesake of the Area: The Big Creek

Namesake of the Area: The Big Creek

Still dry when we got to the point where the Pine Trail and White Oak Trail intersected, we tested our fate with the potential rain and took the longer trail. As with the first trail, it was fairly well marked, but there were still some decision points where we had to try to guess which way to go.


Hiking Trails of Big Creek Scenic Area

Hiking Trails of Big Creek Scenic Area


We Found the Big Creek!

We Found the Big Creek!

Shortly after the "1 mile to parking lot" sign, the rain started. Fortunately for us, it was just some light sprinkles and we were protected by the trees in the forest, so we mostly just heard the rain ... until the last 5-7 minutes of our hike. It was at that point that our pace quickened as we definitely felt the increased intensity of the rain. By the time we reached our car, we were pretty well soaked! On our drive back to Wolf Creek Park, we had our windshield wipers on high and could still barely see the road.

Tips for Finding Big Creek Scenic Area

From the main road in Cold Spring, we spotted a blue sign which directed us to turn, and a ways down that road was another needed turn marked with a blue sign, so we thought we'd have an easy time locating the scenic area. After driving the entire length of the dirt road on which we'd turned, we came to another one of the blue directional signs which pointed us back in the direction we had just driven. We realized then that the road to the Big Creek Scenic Area parking lot was not marked. If you plan to visit this hiking area, you can probably find the "green" scenic area on a GPS (that's how we eventually found Forest Service Road 317 that led to the parking area). Without a GPS, you'll need to look for another dirt road that will lead you there as signage was non-existent!

--- Advertisement ---


Double Lake Recreation Area

If the weather is nice during your visit, consider a side trip to Double Lake Recreation Area. We had hoped to take a spin through the park, but due to the very wet weather we passed on both that and an afternoon swim in Lake Livingston - maybe next time!

Camping on Lake Livingston

Check out our post titled "Review: Wolf Creek Park - Our First Adventure in RV There Yet?" for our thoughts on a campground to consider.

Camping in the Rain

When you are camping and you need to change your plans due to heavy rain, what is your favorite way to spend the day?




Total FitBit steps today: 6,682
Weather:75F Thunderstorms
Big Creek Scenic Area, Coldspring, TX, United States
Hiking in the Piney Woods of East Texas







--- Advertisement ---


--- Advertisement ---

Booking.com





Related Wordy Explorers Original Posts:

Please take a moment and look at our original travel blog content.



Other Recent Posts  



Comments    



Passport Stamp Creator
--- Advertisement ---


--- Advertisement ---