West Texas Trail Walkers
HIKE WITH AN ALTITUDE
FRIDAY October 6
Lower Canyon Trails
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7k rated 2C and 10k rated 3C
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Wide views of the canyon ridges on both options. 7k passes by a peaceful creek that is shaded with mature trees. 10k climbs up to the Comanche trails and passes through the “Rock Garden,” an awesome field of tumbled boulders.
Trail Description: Dirt trails with some rocky surfaces. Moderate elevation gain on 10k. Hiking boots and hiking
sticks are recommended.
Saturday October 7
Lighthouse Trails
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6k rated 1C, 10k rated 2C, 14k and 17k rated 3C
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The trails follow the base of multi-
colored cliffs with bands of rock in shades of yellow, brown, red and purple. The 10k, 14k, and 17k trails go to the base of the Lighthouse formation. The 10k returns back to the start point. The 14k and 17k go up and around the Lighthouse. The 17k adds the Little Fox Canyon trail and returns to the start point on the Givens/Spicer/Lowery trails.
Trail Description: Dirt trails with small hills and stony washes. The 14k and 17k trails up to the Lighthouse are very difficult and rocky. Hiking boots and sticks are recommended.
PALO DURO CANYON
October 6-8, 2023
Palo Duro Canyon has been named "The Grand Canyon of Texas" both for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls similar to those in the Grand Canyon.
Legend has it, the flared rock formations were given the name "Spanish Skirts" by Francisco Vasquez de Coronado's homesick men missing the women they had left back home in Spain.
Sunday 8 October
CCC Trail​
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5k is rated 3C, 7k and 10k are rated 4C
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The 5k CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) trail begins at the Visitor
Center. The 7k and 10k start on the canyon floor at the Amphitheater and go out and back to the Visitor Center viewpoint, and along the Goodnight Trail. There are stunning views of the canyon walls and floor from lookout points on the CCC trail and off the Goodnight trail. These historic trails were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp. For an additional 3k, cross the Park road and hike the Comanche trail.
Trail Description: 7k and 10k have a 600 ft. elevation gain. These trails are rocky and difficult with switchbacks. The 5k is also rocky with switchbacks and has a modest elevation change. Hiking boots and sticks are recommended.
Thursday - Sunday October 5-8
Canyon City Walk
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5k and 10k rated 1A
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Canyon is a thriving small city just outside Amarillo, Texas. The walk takes you through the pristine West Texas A & M University campus, Canyon main streets, and past the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. The Museum is the largest history museum in Texas and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Division will have a special display there in October celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Texas State Park system.
Trail Description: Easy walks on flat, city sidewalks. Click button below for walk map.
Annual Meeting/Banquet
Saturday Oct 7 @ 7:00 PM
West Texas A&M University
Alumni Banquet Facility
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The cost is $29 for the Fajita Bar - chicken & beef fajitas, Mexican rice, charro beans, avocado, sour cream, cheese, pepper, onions, salsa, pico de gallo, tortilla chips, cinnamon crisps, and iced tea. A short award’s ceremony/business meeting
will be held after the dinner.