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Section 9: Big Creek (7.5 miles)
Double Lake Recreation Area to Farm to Market 2666
Overview
Many hikers find the big creek section of the LSHT to be the highlight of the entire trail. The most diverse stretch of the 96-mile trail, this section has beautiful forests filled with nearly every species of tree that can be found in the bottomland and upland forests of East Texas.
Double Lake is spring-fed, making it unusually clear and cool for a small lake in this region. The lake feeds one of the major tributaries of Big Creek, which grows increasingly larger and more scenic as it runs toward the 1,420- acre Big Creek Scenic Area. In fact, numerous perennial streams and creeks feed into this protected area, resulting in a lush pine–hardwood forest filled with a variety of flora and fauna. Bird-watchers are particularly enamored with the Big Creek Section.
The LSHT itself remains well marked. The hike covers rolling ground up along the banks of upper Big Creek and down into its bottomlands where wildflowers grow profusely in the spring. There are a few muddy areas, but several are conveniently traversed by boardwalks. Every sizable creek in this section is crossed by a hiker bridge, so there is no worry about having to ford them in rainy weather.
Camping is prohibited within Big Creek Scenic Area. To reduce impact in this beautiful section, plan to camp in either the developed Double Lake Recreation Area campground at mile 75 ($20 nightly fee required) or the semideveloped backcountry site (free) simply named LSHT Primitive Campsite 1 at mile 75.7. Three small loop trails connect to the LSHT within the boundaries of the Big Creek Scenic Area, making this an excellent section for day hiking.
Trail Access and Parking
To reach Double Lake Recreation Area and LSHT Iron Ore Trailhead Parking Lot 11 from Evergreen, head east for 5.7 miles on TX 150 to Farm to Market (FM) 2025 (or 25 miles east from New Waverly). Turn right (south) onto FM 2025. In 0.4 mile turn left onto Double Lake Park Road to reach the recreation area and its associated parking. (Ask camp hosts about parking a car within the recreation area; there is a $7 daily fee to park here.) Parking Lot 11 is 1.6 miles down FM 2025, or 1.2 miles beyond the entrance to Double Lake Recreation Area.
To reach Big Creek Scenic Area and gravel LSHT Trailhead Parking Lot 12 (near LSHT mile 79.9) from the town of Shepherd, along US 59, head west on TX 150 for about 5 miles. Forest Service (FS) Road 217 is a small, paved road that comes in from the left—turn left (southeast) on FS 217 and follow it 1.8 miles. Parking Lot 12 will be on your right. A short side trail leads to the LSHT from the parking lot. Nonpotable water can be found in Big Creek, just a short walk westbound on the LSHT.
To reach the eastern end of Section 9 (LSHT mile 82.5), at LSHT Tarkington Trailhead Parking Lot 13 along FM 2666, from the town of Shepherd, along US 59, head west on TX 150 for about 1.5 miles. FM 2666 meets TX 150 on the left—turn left onto FM 2666, and follow it 6.5 miles. Parking Lot 13 is signed and visible on the right side of the road. There is ample parking, a trash can, and a bulletin board, but no drinking water.
Supplies and Accommodations
Double Lake Recreation Area has campsites (starting at $20 per night) equipped with picnic tables and campfire rings or a cooking grill. Hot showers, bathrooms with running water, and potable-water taps are located throughout the campground, as are vending machines. A concession stand operates during the warmer months on weekends. During this time of year, camping reservations are recommended (see Appendix A, page 155). These facilities are a few minutes’ walk from the LSHT: from mile 75 and the large LSHT sign by the southwest corner of the lake, turn left and head into the campground, which is visible from this spot (the LSHT continues to the right).
The town of Coldspring (population 853), about 4 miles northeast of Double Lake on TX 150, has rental cottages, several restaurants, a post office, a dollar store, a couple of gas stations, and a large grocery store. The larger, full-service town of Shepherd (population: 2,319), 11 miles southeast of Coldspring along US 59, has similar amenities, along with several motels.
Shepherd can also be accessed from the eastern or southern end of LSHT Section 9. From FM 2666 and LSHT Trailhead Parking Lot 13, follow FM 2666 about 6.5 miles east. Turn right (east) on TX 150, and follow it 1.5 miles into Shepherd. Or, from LSHT Trailhead Parking Lot 12 in Big Creek Scenic Area, follow FS 217 northeast a few miles to the intersection with TX 150; Shepherd is about 5 miles to the east.
Water
The Big Creek Section is blessed with abundant water. At the shoreline of spring-fed Double Lake, it’s a short walk off-trail to its developed recreation facilities (including potable tap water) at the western end Section 9, at mile 75.
As you head into the middle part of this section, the trail parallels Double Lake Branch and, later, Big Creek. These spring-fed creeks flow year-round with clear water that is easily the most appealing of any groundwater along the entire LSHT. Good water becomes more scarce, however, toward the eastern end of Section 9, from mile 79.8 to mile 82.3.
Trail Description
The LSHT intersects Double Lake on the shoreline at the far southwest corner of the lake by a large LSHT sign at mile marker 75. The LSHT skirts but does not enter Double Lake Recreation Area’s facilities. The trail continues east from the large LSHT sign at mile 75—while facing the lake at the sign, make a hard right back into the woods to formally enter Section 9. Do not continue straight ahead on the trail across the lake’s dam. (Remember that if you’re hiking from east to west, you need to reverse all directions, left and right, in these trail descriptions.)
You soon cross a utilities right-of-way and intersect one of the recreation area’s mountain biking trails. At mile 75.3, meet up with a short boardwalk over a wet section. Cross an old fenceline to reach another short boardwalk; notice a transition into picturesque moist woodland dominated by evergreen shrubs, vines, and ferns. Cross gravel FS 220 and proceed through a hiker gate across the road and over a large creek that drains Double Lake at mile 75.6—this is a main tributary of Big Creek named Double Lake Branch, which you follow for the next 4 miles (though mostly at a distance). Cross a tiny bridge over a seasonal drainage to reach designated LSHT Primitive Campsite 1 at mile 75.7, which has four tent pads. Damage to large trees in this area is probably due to past storms. If there are too many damaged trees to make camp here safe, don’t worry; there are places to make a backcountry camp throughout the area just ahead. Water can usually be found by.....
