Take a Hike on a Long Texas Trail A hidden jewel of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) is the only long-distance hiking trail in the state. At 128 miles, it’s the state’s longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. Let Texas native and experienced long-distance hiker Karen Borski Somers guide you along this unrivaled trail. Located in the woodlands of the Sam Houston National Forest in East Texas, the LSHT winds through an ecologically diverse region that’s just a few hours’ drive from Austin, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio. Inside You’ll Find Step-by-step descriptions of the LSHT’s 128 miles, divided into 11 sections - Mileage charts, plus information on trail access and parking locations, trailside supplies and accommodations, campsites, and water sources - Updated full-color photos and section maps - Trail history, trail conditions, rules and regulations, and equipment/food checklists - Thru-hiking information Officially endorsed and promoted by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club Texas native Karen Borski Somers has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and many other nationally recognized long-distance trails. Karen Borski Somers is a native of Spring, Texas. Karen studied biomedical engineering at Texas A&M University and has spent most of her career working for NASA contractors in Clear Lake, Texas, and Huntsville, Alabama. In 1998, she thru-hiked the 2,165-mile Appalachian Trail solo, and in 2004, she hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail with her husband, Andy. Karen’s trail name is “Nocona,” a Comanche word meaning “the wanderer.” She has hiked and backpacked in 36 U.S. states, logging more than 9,000 trail miles.  She also bicycled 4,400 miles across the U.S. from the Atlantic to the Pacific on the TransAmerica route in 2005. Karen currently resides with her husband, two daughters, and their hiking sheltie in northern Alabama. They continue to wander on and off trails. Section 9: Big Creek (7.5 miles) Double Lake Recreation Area to Farm to Market 2666 Overview Many hikers find the big creek section of the LSHT to be the highlight of the entire trail. The most diverse stretch of the 96-mile trail, this section has beautiful forests filled with nearly every species of tree that can be found in the bottomland and upland forests of East Texas. Double Lake is spring-fed, making it unusually clear and cool for a small lake in this region. The lake feeds one of the major tributaries of Big Creek, which grows increasingly larger and more scenic as it runs toward the 1,420- acre Big Creek Scenic Area. In fact, numerous perennial streams and creeks feed into this protected area, resulting in a lush pine–hardwood forest filled with a variety of flora and fauna. Bird-watchers are particularly enamored with the Big Creek Section. The LSHT itself remains well marked. The hike covers rolling ground up along the banks of upper Big Creek and down into its bottomlands where wildflowers grow profusely in the spring. There are a few muddy areas, but several are conveniently traversed by boardwalks. Every sizable creek in this section is crossed by a hiker bridge, so there is no worry about having to ford them in rainy weather. Camping is prohibited within Big Creek Scenic Area. To reduce impact in this beautiful section, plan to camp in either the developed Double Lake Recreation Area campground at mile 75 ($20 nightly fee required) or the semideveloped backcountry site (free) simply named LSHT Primitive Campsite 1 at mile 75.7. Three small loop trails connect to the LSHT within the boundaries of the Big Creek Scenic Area, making this an excellent section for day hiking. Trail Access and Parking To reach Double Lake Recreation Area and LSHT Iron Ore Trailhead Parking Lot 11 from Evergreen, head east for 5.7 miles on TX 150 to Farm to Market (FM) 2025 (or 25 miles east from New Waverly). Turn right (south) onto FM 2025. In 0.4 mile turn left onto Double Lake Park Road to reach the recreation area and its associated parking. (Ask camp hosts about parking a car within the recreation area; there is a $7 daily fee to park here.) Parking Lot 11 is 1.6 miles down FM 2025, or 1.2 miles beyond the entrance to Double Lake Recreation Area. To reach Big Creek Scenic Area and gravel LSHT Trailhead Parking Lot 12 (near LSHT mile 79.9) from the town of Shepherd, along US 59, head west on TX 150 for about 5 miles. Forest Service (FS) Road 217 is a small, paved road that comes in from the left―turn left (southeast) on FS 217 and follow it 1.8 miles. Parking Lot 12 will be on your right. A short side trail leads to the LSHT from the parking lot. Nonpotable water can be found in Big Creek, just a short walk westbound on the LSHT. To reach the eastern end of Section 9 (LSHT mile 82.5), at LSHT Tarkington Trailhead Parking Lot 13 along FM 2666, from the town of Shepherd, along US 59, head west on TX 150 for about 1.5 miles. FM 2666 meets TX 150 on the left―turn left onto FM 2666,