Harbor Bay Trail, TX

Meredith Lake Recreational Area
Meredith Lake is a United States National Recreational Area located about 30 miles north of Amarillo in the Texas Panhandle. The main attraction is the 10,000-acre lake created by Sanford Dam on the Canadian River. Activities at Lake Meredith include boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking, and hunting. Park headquarters are located in Fritch, Texas. This lake is located along the Canadian River, where it cuts a 200-foot canyon through the panhandle's dry, windswept plains. There are two main trails at the main entrance, Harbor Bay Trail and the Turkey Creek Trail. There are no entrance fees for Meredith Lake. Check Meredith Website for Camping and Fishing requirements.


Harbor Bay Trail
The Harbor Bay Trail starts in Harbor Bay on the main road from the town of Fritch. This trail heads northeast leaving Harbor Bay, and then follows along Fritch Canyon before climbing 150 feet to the rim with great lake views. The trail ends on a bluff overlooking the lake. The section along Fritch Canyon stays just above the lake's high water level. When I was there, the lake was somewhat low, so there was quite a bit of marshland between the trail and the lake. The Vegetation was thick and green compared to the vegetation on the mesa above the lake. Once around Fritch Canyon, the trail does a gradual climb up to the mesa. The 1.1 mile Mesa trail is a short offshoot loop trail that can be taken once on the mesa. From the junction with the Mesa Trail, the trail continues for another 0.75 miles to its endpoint. There is an outhouse located at the end of the trail. There is also a road at the end of a trail that indicates the hike could start here if you can find the road that leads here (Google Earth). Views over the lake are pretty good here, especially at sunset. While Fritch, Texas may not be on your list of places to visit if you are in the area looking for something to do, I would recommend this hike.

2020-12-08 markthurman53