DESTINATION Generic 105 Photosets
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| Hiking | 12.33 Miles |
775 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.33 Miles | 4 Hrs 48 Mns | | 2.90 mph |
| 775 ft AEG | 33 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | On day two of my Borger Texas Trip I went back to Meredith Lake this time to hike the Turkey Creek trail. This trail heads south along the lake from where I hiked yesterday. The Turkey Creek Trail is a 6.2 mile hike that ends in Turkey canyon. Once in Turkey Canyon there is a 4 mile loop trail that follows Turkey Creek upstream. Doing both of these trails would be a 16.5 mile hike. I was unable to do the Loop portion of this hike due to time restraints.
I started this hike at 9:00 in the morning with temperatures in the low 70's. I brought 2 quarts of water and wore my long sleeve shirt not wanting to repeat yesterdays experience. This is a fairly level hike following along the lake with a little elevation gain where you have to skirt around a couple of side canyons. I was told that there was quite a rattlesnake population in this area but I failed to see any. That was fine with me because the trail goes through some really grassy areas. I did keep a vigilant eye out for them though. Turkey Creek was the most interesting part of this hike. Just prior to entering Turkey Creek the trail does a 100 foot climb then drops down into Turkey Creek. At this point you are on the Southern end of the lake and there is an immense marsh. To me it looked like a swamp just missing the alligators. This marsh continues up Turkey Creek and the trail follows alongside. Eventually this marsh gives way to an area I would refer to as a riparian area with large trees and grassland. After a half hour break I headed back the way I came. Temperatures on the return trip were in the low 90's and no matter how prepared I was it was still hot and humid. Other than a Blue Heron I saw no wild life, not counting ants and flying bugs, lots of them. I did see a lot of deer tracks and a few bobcat tracks.
Of the two hikes I did along Meredith lake this one was my favorite. I was not able to do the Turkey Creek Loop but would like to do it if I'm ever in the area again. I will have to find a back door access point though so I don't have to do the 6 mile trail in. To the south of Turkey Creek are the Flint stone quarries and that is a national monument with access by ranger guided tours only but to the east there looks to be a possible access point. If you are in the area, hopefully in cooler weather, this is a worthwhile hike. Also if you have the opportunity visit the Flint Stone Quarries National Monument. |
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