Texas Newest State Park: Raptor Ridge to Palo Pinto Creek

TThe back half of this 22-mile hike is exposed, long, brutal, but undeniably beautiful. Leaving the lakeside behind, this route pushes straight up Raptor Ridge for sweeping, high-elevation views of the rugged Texas mountains. It is a massive physical grind through the dense brush and intense heat of the Cross Timbers ecoregion, testing exactly how much endurance you have left in the tank. Descending from the ridge, the terrain drastically shifts as the route joins the Texas and Pacific Trail. This low, flat section of the park cuts directly through an 1800s oil and coal frontier. Walking past abandoned pump jacks hidden deep in the brush provides a stark look at the history of Strawn and the industrial past that is slowly being reclaimed by the wilderness. The final miles come down to navigating the technical, dry creek crossings of the Palo Pinto Creek Loop. With heavy legs and 21 miles already down, these rocky beds require absolute Thanks for watching, and make sure to join us on our next adventure! Chapters: 00:12 Texas First New State Park in 25 Years 01:20 Hiking Raptor Ridge 02:37 The Texas and Pacific Trail 05:27 Equestrian Campground 06:20 Wild Pig Encounter 06:53 Historic Ragsdale Cabin 08:41 Deep Backcountry Trail Markers 09:05 Active Train Line at Palo Pinto 10:34 Palo Pinto Creek Loop Obstacles 12:49 Rocky Bottom and the 22 Mile Finish SOCIAL: TWITTER: https://twitter.com/adventurewithbg INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/adventureswithbg FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/adventureswithbg BLOG: http://adventureswithbg.com #palopintomountainsstatepark #texashiking #raptorridge #texasstateparks #solohiking #crosstimbers #texasoutdoors #hikingtexas #strawntexas