Tub Spring Duck Pond Trail • Hike • Texas • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

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Oct 16 2024

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Tub Spring Draw Loop, TX

Hiking		Oct 16 2024
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	7.59 Miles	1,032 AEG

Hiking	7.59 Miles	5 Hrs 39 Mns	1.48 mph
	1,032 ft AEG	32 Mns Break

Linked

linked

Lower Comanche Trail

Rock Garden Trail

Tub Spring Duck Pond Trail

Rylander Fortress Cliff Trail

Partners

partners

mamakatt22

Back in Texas where the hiking is slim but Ginny and I took a couple days to hike in Palo Duro and Caprock Canyon. I have done most of the trails in Palo Duro but I have never been up Tub Spring Draw. This is an off trail hike up to Duck Pond then a trail/two track back to our start point.
Started the hike at the end of the park road at the Equestrian Trail parking and headed down stream following the Prairie Town Fork of the Red River (wow what a name). About a half mile down is the junction with Tub Spring draw. I didn’t have a GPS route or a map other than the park map which is kind of worthless, but Google Earth made it look like going up the draw could be done. The creek is easy going with a couple of minor rock scrambles until about .5 miles from Duck pond there is a 100 foot waterfall (dry at this time) in a slot canyon. Not wanting to return the way we came I decided to check out a route that would allow us to climb around the falls. Turned out to be a fairly easy scramble/climb to the top of the falls. Looks like the goats and deer also use that route. Great views on top looking over the falls. Duck pond was a short walk from here. Not much water in Duck Pond, much less than last time I was here. Took a break here then headed back to our starting point along park trails.
The Rock Garden and Lower Comanche Trails have great views overlooking Palo Duro Canyon. The trails are well maintained and easy to follow. Didn’t see anyone on the trails except toward the end where there were a couple hikers. Great weather high in the 70’s and a light breeze. We will head to Amarillo, stay the night before heading to Caprock tomorrow.

Red Canyon

Light flow

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May 12 2021

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 989
Photos 12,068
Triplogs 864

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Comanche Rylander Fortress Loop, TX

Hiking		May 12 2021
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 864

Hiking	13.14 Miles	1,499 AEG

Hiking	13.14 Miles	6 Hrs 16 Mns	2.17 mph
	1,499 ft AEG	13 Mns Break

Linked

6 linked trail guides

Upper Comanche Trail

Rylander Fortress Cliff Trail

Rojo Grande Trail

Rock Garden Trail

Paseo Del Rio Trail

Tub Spring Duck Pond Trail

Partners

partners

mamakatt22

The second day of our Palo Duro Canyon trip we took a 13.5 mile hike along the Comanche and Rylander Fortress Cliff Trails. We returned via the Rock Garden Trail, Rojo Grande and Paseo Del Rio Trails to the start point.

We started this hike on the Soapberry Spur Trail which is a short .3 mile trail that connects up to the Upper Comanche Trail from the Soapberry day use area. The Comanche trail follows along and below the Rylander Fortress Cliffs. Interesting trail with plenty of interesting rock formations. When I was on the Rylander cliff trail last year walking along the edge we ventured out to the edge crossing over foot wide fissures in the rock going quite a ways down. If I had done the hike we did today first and looked at what was holding those cliffs up I may not of been so willing to go out on the edge. On the other hand I probably would have thought that the rocks have been hanging on for a long time why would they break away now, but on the other hand (I think that's 3 hands) is my 175 pound weight all it needs to break away. Any way this is a very fascinating trail.

Once we connected up to the Rock Garden Trail we headed up to the rim. Once on the rim we headed south along the Rylander Fortress Cliff Trail to its terminus where there were great views overlooking the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River as it heads southeast exiting the park. On the return trip we took a short side trip off the Rylander Trail to Duck pond on the Tub Spring Trail. Nothing too interesting about this trail, Duck Pond was dry and not exactly sure where Tub Spring is. We returned via the Rock Garden Trail.

Once down to the flats again along the river we took the Sunflower, Rojo Grande and Paseo Del Rio Trail back to the start point. The trails along the river are easy walking and tend to meander a bit. These trails appear to be popular with mountain bikers. Overall a very good hike with great weather, we did not get rained on at all and the temperatures remained in the 50s. The river had the most water in it that I have ever seen on my previous visits here but still really looks like a stream or creek rather than a river.

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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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