Spillway Trail, TX

Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park is just southwest of the Houston Metro region with over 5000 acres of Bottomland and Upland Coastal Prairie. The wetlands and forests are home to birds, deer, wild boar, and alligators. There are over 300 species of birds, 21 species of reptiles, and 23 species of mammals. The various species of oak and pecan trees make up some of the largest trees in the forested areas. This park has some impressive large oak trees. Brazos Bend Park has accommodations for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and camping. The main watercourse in the park is Big Creek with its many side creeks and lakes that eventually drain into the Brazos River on the East side of the park. There are over a dozen trails most of which are in the 1 to 2-mile range and easily connected to make longer day hikes. This is a great place to view the many species of birds and unexpected encounters with alligators. See park literature for more details.

Spillway Trail
This is a short 0.6-mile connector trail that links 40 Acre lake to Elm Lake. Hard pack dirt road the whole way. To the north of this trail is Pilant Lake which I never saw a lake as such but it is marshland. Views over Pilant Lake can be had from the wood tower/observatory at the west end of the trail at 40 Acre Lake. This observatory is about the only place you will attain any AEG along the park trails. The oak trees with their decorative Spanish Moss is quite impressive and is common throughout the park. Either side of this trail are good areas to view migratory waterbirds such as mallards and green herons. This trail is a good connector trail to hike the west portion of the park on the Elm Lake, Horseshoe Lake, and Big Creek Trails.

Check out the Official Route and Triplog.

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2020-12-06 markthurman53