Tuesday 12-16-25 Overcast Day, Hiking & Camping

 

Camping at Bastrop State Park

 

We had a very nice day with overcast skies. The temperature in the morning was 38 degrees, it was warmer than yesterday's temperature of 30 degrees. The high temperature was 65 degrees. About 7:00 pm a front came in and we had a bit of rain. It rained on and off for the rest of the night.  

Larry was up at 6:15 am to do his morning routine. I crawled out of bed at 7:45 am and got dressed. The heaters were running and it didn't feel bad. I made mini waffles for breakfast. I love having power so I can use the waffle maker, toaster and cook leftovers. 

After breakfast we went on a hike, we were gone about two hours and 45 minutes, a bit over 5 miles. We started the hike from the Minnie. We hiked to the trailhead on the other side of the park road. We hiked the orange trail (Sandstone Trail) to where it Y's off from the orange trail to the purple trail (Lost Pines Loop). Lost Pines Loop is a 8.4 mile loop but there are crossover trails along the way. Two days ago we went to the left so today we went to the right. The trail was sandy and there were some rocks. The sand wasn't deep and it was easy to hike. We hadn't hiked this section of trail. We hiked by a beautiful home, the owner had a big lot with a home, a fifth-wheel and a few other buildings. We saw a lady jogging the trail and we said our hellos. We hiked the trail to a paved road. There was a small area to park and a brand new trail map sign. The last time we visited Bastrop State Park the road was dirt but it's great that they paved it. We hiked the road for .4 of a mile to where we picked up the purple trail again. We hiked over two miles when we found a log to rest on. After our rest we continued onward to a utility road. We hiked it for a little bit. It was a little rough and sandy but not too bad. Then we picked up the orange trail again. We hiked it until we got back to the Y we were at earlier. We hiked the section back to the road. We took the road to the campground, which was .2 mile. We had an outstanding hike. While this area is recovering from the fire in 2011 the pines still have a long way to go. 

 

Hiking Trail Map

 

By the time we got back to the Minnie we were tired and the sky was getting darker. It was time for lunch. I made ham sandwiches with chips. 

The rest of the day we stayed in the Minnie relaxing. Larry read and took a nap. I played my games and read.

 

Relax with a book

 

I played my Daily Challenges of Solitaire and Mahjong. The event was Event: World Tour Mini of 10 games. It took me 1 hour, 14 minutes and 23 seconds, which put me in 24th place in my group. I played Angry Birds Friends and Angry Birds 2.

After dinner we hike the Carrizon Trail. The trail starts in Cooperas Creek Campground and follows along Cooperas Creek to a gorgeous log bridge. The bridge takes you across the creek to the road. Then you cross the road to pick the trail back up. We were surprised we had to climb up a steep hill, we didn't bring our hiking poles but we made it. The trail then weaves through a small forest of pine and oak trees. Before crossing the road Larry heard water so we investigated. We found a small waterfall but the water didn't look appealing. It was located a few steps off the trail. Once back on the trail we hiked to the road and crossed it to the parking lot. We used another pretty bridge to get us over the creek back into the campground. The Minnie was right there. The trail was about 1/2 mile long, a nice short beautiful hike. 

 

Cooperas Creek

 

Larry crossing the bridge to get over the creek

 

Steps up the hill

 

Small waterfall

 

Bridge back to the campground

There is no signs about the trail in the campground but it is on the trails map. There are small trail markers to show you where the trail is after you cross the road. There are no signs in the campground. In order to get to the trail you have to walk through someones campsite, fortunately most of the sites are empty. We walked around yesterday so we knew where the trail started and ended on both side of the road. 

By the end of the day I had done 16,000 steps. We had an outstanding day.