Butterflies galore, shady trails

Snake on a tree
Pretty little green snake, hanging out on the trunk of a gnarly old oak tree
User: plectrudis - 10/21/2017

Location: Purgatory Creek Natural Area

Rating: 3point5stars
Difficulty: 3stars  Solitude: 2point5stars
Miles Hiked: 8.90 Miles  Elapsed Time: N/A


Like a lot of trails in Texas, this one's enjoyability depends heavily on the weather.  Today it was a solid 4, but when it's hot and humid out, it's more of a 3.

Highlights--a poop-ton of butterflies!  It's October, and there are butterflies all over the place.

Nice lunch spot in the bed of the now-dry creek, under a rocky, ferny bluff.

Good shade coverage for much of the hike.

Saw a neat green snake climbing an oak tree.

Another big oak totally festooned with Spanish moss.

Nice scenic overlook.

Plenty enough trail to get a nice, long hike.


When you're hot and tired, the hike up from the creek to the hilltop can be a chore.

A lot of ankle-twisty rocks.

Gnats and mosquitos can be bad in the creek valley.

Log Photos
Snake on a tree
Purgatory Creek - dry at the moment
Gnarly oak
Monarch on mealy blue sage
Area around Purgatory Creek Natural Area