With the entire world at a stand still due to Coronavirus, this is the perfect opportunity to explore new hikes around the Houston area. What else is there to do? So, on April 18th that is exactly what I did. Loading up the car with three happy dogs ready for an adventure, my friend and I drove about an hour north of Houston to hike the 9.25 mile Four Notch Loop in the Sam Houston National Forest. This is one of several day hike loops along the 90 mile thru hike Lone Star Hiking Trail.
So Where is the Trailhead?
No, you do not have to hike the first 48 miles of the Lone Star Hiking Trail to hike this loop. There are really two access points to hike Four Notch Loop. I opted to start at Lone Start Hiking Trail – Trailhead #8 on the western side of the loop. This is also the location of the Four Notch Hunters Camp, a primitive campsite along the trail. It took me about an hour to get from downtown to this trail head for Four Notch Loop. From the trailhead it is about 0.3 miles to the loop. The second access option shown below is on the opposite side of Four Notch Loop and adds about 2 miles to your total hiking distance. Why? Because you have to hike one mile on the Lone Star Hiking Trail before you reach the loop.
Four Notch Loop
Aside from the total distance of 9.25 miles, the hike itself is relatively easy. In classic Texas style there is little to no elevation change throughout the 4 hours. The dogs started out with the zoomies, running ahead then racing back to us when called. At the first split in the trail we headed to the right. This meant hiking the section of the loop that is part of the larger Lone Star Hiking Trail first. The entire trail is really well shaded by the large trees that are native to the East Texas Piney Woods. That makes this a perfect hike for the Texas summer or a warm spring day like we had.
Along the way there were several stream crossings – which the dogs LOVED to play in. While the dogs handled the steeper stream banks with ease, on a muddy day these could be rather slick for us humans. Hiking poles would be a plus. Wow…that is a statement you will rarely hear me say.
About half way through the hike we stopped to enjoy some PB&J sandwiches and give the pups some water. The it was back to the races…or for us about 3 mile per hour hiking pace. Compared to the start of the hike the dogs had definitely started to slow down. The were looking back at us after every turn in the trail to ask if we were there yet. At about 7 miles we started to ask that question too. When we got back to the parking lot the dogs loaded up in the car and immediately fell asleep. In all, a great 4 hour hike that resulted in some awesome napping afterwards.
Before you go
The entire trail is very well marked with white or white and red tree markers. Plus the trail is fairly well traveled and easy to follow. If this is your first time hiking in the Sam Houston National Forest, I highly recommend using google maps to download an offline map of the area. These maps work without cell phone service, which is spotty in this section of the national forest. But the GPS in your phone still works so you will be able to see where you are and where the trail is.
Interested in backpacking the entire 90 mile LSHT through the Sam Houston National Forest? Check out the USDA Forest Service or the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club websites to learn about the primitive sites and regulations for camping along the trail, as well as get trail maps and more! PLUS, I have been to the Sam Houston National Forest before, check out the blog Camping at Double Lake Recreation Area for more.
Leave No Trace
The environmental activist in me comes out at the end of every post. If we want to keep being able to enjoy the great outdoors, we have to take care of it! I have a bag to put all my trash in that I carry in my day pack. Using a refillable and reusable water bottle or camelbak instead of using a plastic bottle from the convenience store is a must.
When I hike with dogs, who are lucky enough to have nature as their restroom, I always carry plenty of baggies to clean up after them. The National Forest doesn’t have trash bins along trails, so be prepared to carry it out.
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