The Lone Star Hiking Trail Information
The Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) is a footpath-only trail in East Texas and has a continuous 96 miles long path with additional 32 miles of loop and crossover trails. The LSHT is the longest continuous hiking trail in the State of Texas.
The trail is marked with two-inch by four-inch aluminum markers to guide hikers. The Lone Star Hiking Trail may be hiked year round, but winter and spring are the most popular seasons due to the mild southeast Texas winter climate. However, during deer hunting season in November and December, hikers should wear highly visible clothing.
Primitive camping is allowed off the trail except during deer hunting season when camping is restricted to designated camps.
Usually the trail is not crowded, and hikers may observe a multiple-use managed forest with many ages and kinds of trees, plants and wildlife. Trail visitors may also view rivers, creeks, lakes and streams that meander through and around the Sam Houston National Forest.
Description:
The LSHT traverses public lands of the Sam Houston National Forest, as well as some private lands. The western terminus is just south of Richards, Texas and the eastern terminus is northwest of Cleveland, Texas.
Potable water is available at Double Lake and Stubblefield recreation areas.
Trail Sections:
Western Sections:
This section begins near the intersection of FR (FS) 219 and SH FM 149 (30.538663, -95.784976) east of Richards, Texas and continues generally eastward for about 40 miles to the Stubblefield Recreation Area (30.561830, -95.638153) at the north end of Lake Conroe. There are four connecting loops in this section which are considered as part of the LSHT.
Central Sections:
Central Section: This section, about 60 miles, begins at Stubblefield Recreation Area (30.565154, -95.633044) and continues first northeast to IH 45 (30.650015, -95.510474) with a alternate trail (30.649754, -95.510384) to Huntsville state park. The trail continues from Phelps trailhead (30.652884, -95.497204) then east though the Four Notch area and finally southeast to the town of Evergreen, Texas where John Warren Road meets SH 150 (30.559900, -95.243745). There are several road walks in this section and a nine mile loop called the Four Notch Loop.
Eastern Sections:
Eastern Section: This section, about 28 miles, begins near the intersection of SR FM 945 and Butch Arthur Road (30.527983, -95.219789), then continues east to the south end of
Double Lake Recreation Area where there is potable water. Then the LSHT travels south to the Big Creek Scenic Area (30.506085, -95.088937) after which the trail travels in a general south direction to the Winters Bayou Scenic Area (30.392935, -95.158356) on SR FM 1725 northeast of Cleveland, Texas.
Trail Type:
National Recreational Trail
Trail Total Length:
128 miles, 206 km
Trail Use:
hiking
Off-road vehicles are prohibited.
Trail Waymark:
White painted Aluminum Blazes
Terminus Point One (West):
Location:
near the intersection of FSR 219 and SH FM 149
Cordinates:
30.538663, -95.784976
Elevation:
feet
Terminus Point Two (East):
Location:
Winters Bayou Scenic Area, SH FM 1725
Cordinates:
30.392935, -95.158356
Elevation:
feet
Highest Elevation on Trail:
feet,
Lowest Elevation on Trail:
feet,
Geographical Region:
Coastal Plains
(m0-maps-lonestar-map) Lone Star Hiking Trail Map
(m6fo-lonestar) The Lone Star Trail in Texas
photo credit: Wikepedia
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