Clear Fork Trail in Lockhart State Park

By Gabriella Molina
gcm37@txtstate.edu

Lockhart, TX- Lockhart State Park features many different activities that make it the perfect little family friendly place to enjoy the outdoors. Honestly, it’s quite surprising all that this smaller state park has to offer. From the swimming pool, to the golf course, to the hiking trails to the camping sites, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. 

The Clear Fork Trail is the easiest trail to complete, making it one of the most popular trails. When first walking the path, there was a nice round puddle with mud surrounding the edges. After walking past this, the trail path is easy to follow, and mud is kept to a minimum.
After getting past the entrance of the trail is really when the trees guide the way. The entire trail I felt surrounded by the trees in a secure, comforting way. Despite the occasionally spider web getting in the way, moving through the trees in this trail was mesmerizing.

While walking along the trail, the nearby creek can be heard the entire time. It was full of running water, which added to the authentic outdoor ambiance. I would have to say the creek running throughout the trail was probably my favorite thing about this trail. After walking further, there are a couple of areas where it looks as though some bigger rocks were placed to make a path crossing the creek to get the camping side. After asking around, a couple of employees confirmed this theory. Clerk Joanie Buck said, "Through some of the floods, they've washed out."

One thing that I really enjoyed seeing was some shells near the creek. Most of the shells I noticed stood out from the dark soil since they were white or grey colored. 
Once I had reached a certain point in the trail, it seemed to have been closed off. The sign beyond the closing read "Wild Rose Loop," which later I found out was another park trail.

Experience rating: 8/10

Why not a 10? The only major downside to this trail was the fact that so much of it was closed off. The journey felt unfinished, and for this reason and this reason only, it is rated less than a 10.

Day 1: Pre-Yosemite visit to Lockhart State Park

Lockhart State Park

By: Bailey Brown
Bmb153@txstate.edu

Steps Traveled: 8,617

Time: 7 hours and 20 minutes

Work Produced: 4 Interviews, 20 photos, and 12 clips of B-Roll

Fun Fact: The Battle of Plum Creek occurred a few miles from Lockhart State Park. This battle allowed the Texan army to move the Comanche Natives Northwestward according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.


Lockhart State Park has loving fans

Tommy Powell smiling with joy
Photo by: Bailey Brown

Visiting Lockhart State Park for the first time was one for the books. The wind was crisp and cool, despite the moments when the sun was blazing across my back. Walking along the short Clear Fork Trail, I met Tommy Powell. He was striding with his trekking poles wrapped tightly in his hands and he walked with such confidence he looked as if he was in the Olympics. He was born and raised in Kentucky and he is 76-years-old. Every day he walks the trails in Lockhart State Park. He has visited over 50 state parks in his life and has had a love for the outdoors since he was a child. “When I was growing up, I fell in love with the outdoors. We lived on a farm. After I finished everything I was supposed to do outside and around the house, I disappeared for the rest of the day. I just left and walked as long as I could just to get away from everybody. And I have been doing that ever since,” said Powell. He walked away so joyful to share his love for Lockhart State Park. He made my heart feel warm and fuzzy. 

Animals roam the trails

Alex Wall with Kiya
Photo by: Bailey Brown

Behind the playground there was a large slab of granite covered with rushing water. There stood Alex Wall and his dog Kiya. He was looking down at the water and holding Kiya by the leash as she jumped around with excitement at the water flowing in front of her. He shared with me his love for backpacking and visiting state parks. His favorite part of each park he visits is seeing any body of water no matter the size. He brings Kiya with him to keep him company and to let her run and release all of her energy in the fields. 

Meeting these two men was a pleasure, as they inspire me to continue to admire and appreciate what lies beyond any trail is a story. 

5 things to see and do at Lockhart State Park

By. J. Del Valle

Lockhart State Park

Miles traveled: 61.5 miles

Time: 6 hours

Work produced: 3 interviews, 9 videos, 16 photos, 1 Instagram post and 4 Instagram stories. 

What I learned today: Geocaching is definitely a workout for the mind and legs.  

A drive not to far from San Marcos or San Antonio, Lockhart is the hidden gem in between. Here are the five must do activities when visiting.

1. Golfing: Fun fact about Lockhart State Park is that they operate and manage a nine-hole golf course which offers beautiful scenery. 

2. Swimming: Lockhart is one of two state parks that still manages and runs a swimming pool. With this Texas heat, Lockhart residents and campers can take a dip in the crystal-clear water. 

3. Geocaching: this was a new activity for me today, I found out that geocaching is very popular at Lockhart State Park. The park is loaded with geocache spots, which my group was able to track one down. I do recommend this activity it was fun.

4. Fishing: Great news fishermen don’t need fishing license at Lockhart, and the type of fishes that swim through Clear Fork Creek are sunfish, catfish and bass. What Texan doesn't like fishing?  

5. Biking: The trails are perfect for off-road biking, I did notice while walking through the campsite was on some of the campers RV's was bikes, and once I hit the trails I came across a couple of bikers taking in the hot Texas heat while off-roading. So, consider bringing your bike when visiting Lockhart State Park. 

For additional information it can be find it at Lockhart State Park website. 

-J. Del Valle