Local Adventures| Little Lake Creek Loop, Sam Houston National Forest

On Labor Day weekend Chris and I took some time to explore trails in our area. We opted for the Little Lake Creek Loop in the Sam Houston National Forest in the Little Lake Creek Wilderness. We took several different trails including the Little Lake Creek Trail, the Pole Creek Trail and the main Lone Star Trail. We estimate it was about 13 miles, but aren’t quite sure on the mileage because we were using two different books to combine the trails together. I have to say I was very pleased with the condition of the trails and the forest is beautiful. We were also pleasantly rewarded with cooler, Fall-like weather that morning, too, which made the hike even nicer.

We started from a parking area trailhead off of FM 149; there are at least two trailheads on this road. We followed a powerline easement for the first mile or so before finally ditching into the woods.

Unfamiliar with local trails were were very happy to see them well maintained and for the most part free of debris. The trails were easy to follow with metal blazes, orange for the side trail, plain metal for the main Lone Star Trail.

We saw a few of these plants; not sure if they are planted from old homesteads of a native plant. Anyone have an idea?

Almost as annoying as finding random hiking trash in the woods (I accidentally contributed to this issue, not putting an empty water bottle back securely and finding it missing from my pack later on.) is finding old balloons in the woods. I remember being on the airboat in the middle of the Everglades and finding them. Please, do not release balloons! We picked this one up and hauled it out.

The eastern section of the trail enters a palmetto forest and is at a lower elevation than the rest of the trail. It reminded me a bit of Florida.

We crossed several dry creeks and I kept thinking of potential water sources if we decided to backpack out here one weekend.

Then we found a few with some water in it, potential for filtering.

After about five or six miles we came to to the main Lone Star Trail which follows, for awhile, another wide right of way. A few nice downed trees make for a good break at this junction.

We went and checked this seep out but nothing was coming out at the moment; it’s just a few yards west of the trail junctions.

Just past this clearing to the south of the trail is a clearing where they have recently logged. Luckily the trail, for the most part, avoids logging areas.

At the north trail head we saw several cars parked at the lot and shortly after we encountered an older couple coming back to the trail head. We said a few cordial hellos about where we were heading and coming from and kept on our way.

The Pole Creek section of the loop is more overgrown the rest of the trail, perhaps it is less traveled than the other sections. This was a beautiful little creek running through the section.

However, it did trickle out further down.

Finishing up the hike at FM149.

Overall we loved this area and there are more loops and trails spurring off this trail that we will hit up in the future. Lots of camping opportunities and with some of the creeks having water I feel safer having water for backpacking trips. Hopefully when more rain falls the creeks will have a bit more water flow in them.

Definitely check this area out if you live in the greater Houston area.