AAA
Location: 34.3984867, -100.933866
We made camp in the middle of the trail.
BESTTENT
Location: 34.3153391, -101.0888037
Best tent site in this camp.
CAPROCK CAFE
Location: 34.3655982, -101.0563453
We chose to stop in town for lunch. The Caprock Cafe was a welcome site. It has home style cooking. Breakfast lunch and dinner. Buffet at lunch time.
CLARRITY CAMP
Location: 34.2444739, -101.122332
Nice camp. Closest to the tunnel.
CLARRITY TUNNEL 1
Location: 34.2412065, -101.1232282
This was the beggining of the train tunnel. It has bats in it and is reported to have 1000s of them in the summer months. We where surprised to find bats in it in March.
CLARRITY TUNNEL 2
Location: 34.2428361, -101.1221006
End of tunnel.
JOHN FERRIS CAMP
Location: 34.2186612, -101.2077211
Our first nights camp. We got to see a golden eagle flying around the camp at around 5:30 pm. Way too cool.
LOS LINGOS CAMP
Location: 34.315422, -101.0891935
The neatest of all the camps. It is located along the Los Lingos river. Lots a of wildlife in this area.
MONKS CROSSING
Location: 34.2988538, -101.0976065
Monks Crossing is the first time the trail crosses a major road. we parked one of our trucks here with water an food for the rest of the trip.
MULLINS RISE CAMP
Location: 34.3997298, -101.0058317
This Camp site was very overgrown and did not provide good tent sites. we chose to hike an additional 4 miles after dark and find a better spot AAA is the waypoint where we chose to stay for the night. Water or food can be hidden here in advace as the road will let you have access to the trail.
QUITEAST
Location: 34.3720453, -101.059311
S PLAINS
Location: 34.2235996, -101.3096714
Began trip here. Dont let the start of the trail fool you. It get better.
SPORTSMANS
Location: 34.3662438, -101.0591783
Our first resturant coice. It was closed when we got there. It is reported to have reall good food.
TURKEY
Location: 34.3974721, -100.8996203
The end of our trip. The trail goes on past this point.
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Location: 34.2188998, -101.206398
Pic from John Ferris camp
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Location: 34.2322416, -101.1339569
A Ferral Hog. One of about 100 we saw on our trip.
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Location: 34.2430271, -101.119194
Clarrity Tunnel
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Location: 34.3186286, -101.086235
Our group set out on Saturday. March 14 2009 we hit the trail way at around 2 pm. We had two vehicles so we left one at South Plains and took the other to Monks Crossing. We left water and food in the truck at Monks. When we reached Monks we retrieved the vehicle in South Plains and moved it to Turkey. The parks service does have water at all the camps with exception to Mullins rise. They however do not put water in the tanks until after the last freeze of winter, so the tanks where dry on our trip. I would not recommend this trip in the summer months as the temperature can rise into the 100s. The trail is open to hikers backpackers and mountain bikes year round.
The trail way will take you through the City of Quitaque (Kitty-Kay). The town has 2 restaurants The Sportsman’s Bar and grill and the Caprock café. There is an Alsup’s convenience store across from Sportsman’s, and a Grocery Store Right next to the Caprock Café. Take Cash. The grocery store only accepts cash.
All the people in town are really nice, and very helpful. My youngest son was standing in line at the store and a really sweet lady paid for his bubble gum.
This is a true Texas treasure. The trails is not very physically demanding, but was rather hard on our feet I have hiked the Guadalupe Mountains and never got a blister but managed to get 3 on this trip. The old train rail was bedded in lava rock. Make sure you have good insoles for your boots.
Good luck and have fun if you choose to do this trip.
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