West Texas Trail Walkers
HIKE WITH AN ALTITUDE
Caprock Canyons State Park
October 11-13, 2019
Join the West Texas Trail Walkers for our 38th annual event in the red rock canyons of Caprock Canyons State Park out in the panhandle of Texas. Wind and water over the eons shaped the rugged beauty of the canyons. This park also holds the official Texas State bison herd which is allowed to freely roam the park. Around 60 miles of the more than 90 miles of trails in the park are hiking/biking trails converted from an old abandoned railway line.
Complementing Caprock Canyons State Park is Copper Breaks State Park. This park is part of the original lands held by the Comanche and Kiowa Indians. Recently the park was designated as an International Dark Sky Park, and you can also see a portion of the official herd of Texas Longhorn cattle.
For Texas County walkers, this three-day event weekend offers 4 walks in 4 different counties: Hardeman, Briscoe, Childress, and Hall.
Friday, October 11
Caprock Canyons Trailways & Turkey Depot Trailhead
5k, 10k
The start point for this walk is at the Turkey Depot Trailhead in Turkey, Texas (Hall County). The hike is flat and rated 1B. The 5k is an out and back hike along the railway that has been converted to a hike/bike trail. The 10k hike includes a walk-through historic Turkey, TX, the home town of Bob Wills, the king of western swing.
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Saturday, October 12
Haynes Ridge (3C), Upper North Prong and Lower North & South Prong Trails (2C)
5k, 11k or 22k
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This walk starts in Caprock Canyons State Park (Briscoe County). The Haynes Ridge Trail is the most challenging hike in the park, but after you conquer the steep and rugged trail up to the ridge you are rewarded with beautiful views of the rock formations and a relatively flat hike along the Upper and Lower Prong Trails. A 5k out and back and two 11k loops are being offered for up to 22k total.
Sunday, October 13
Bull Canyon, Copper Breaks State Park
5k, 10k
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The start point for this hike is at the Juniper Ridge Day Use area in Copper Breaks State Park (Hardeman County). We begin at the rim of a small canyon with views of rugged rocks spilling out onto the prairie. A series of loop trails provide hikes of either 5k, 10k or 14k distances. The 5k or 10k hikes are rated 2B and the 14k hike is rated 3B.
Wednesday, October 9 through Sunday, October 13
Historic Childress Texas (Childress County)
5k, 10k
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A historic Childress, Texas walk is sanctioned for you to complete any time over the long weekend on your own schedule. There will be a 5k or 10k walk offered on flat, city sidewalks, rated 1A. Childress has a rich history as a major railroad town and the downtown buildings reflect the history of that period from early to middle 20th century.
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The Holiday Inn Express
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3001 Ave F NW
Childress, TX 79201
940-937-0900
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Reservations can now be made at our host hotel, The Holiday Inn Express, in Childress, TX. Our negotiated rate is $82.00 + taxes for the nights of October 8 - October 14, 2019. This rate includes a full hot breakfast starting at 6:00 am. The rooms include a microwave and refrigerator. To secure our negotiated rate please call the hotel by September 17, 2019 and mention you are with the West Texas Trail Walkers. After September 17, the rates return to normal pricing.
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Our 2019 Caprock Canyons event patch
Registration
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Registration details will be posted here when available. Note that fees cannot be collected in the National or State Parks.
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Time Saving Tip: Avoid lines at the State Park entrances by purchasing your day pass ahead of time. New this year is on-line registration for day passes. Use the tpwd.texas.gov website, go to the reserve tab on the state park home page and follow the reservation instructions. You will have to create an account if you do not have one already. Be sure to print out the pass and afix to your windshield the day of the event. Texas State Park yearly pass holders enter free by entering your pass holder number at registration. You can also choose to pay entrance fees at the park Visitor Centers or at the self-pay stations. Caprock Canyon and Trailways fee is $5.00 person. Copper Breaks fee is $3.00 per person.
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Contact susan.noonan@gmail.com if you have additional questions.