My trail run today was fantastic. For the second run in a row, my calf muscle didn't bother me. I felt so good that I didn't want to stop. I also ran at a faster pace than usual. No
lung problems. Lots of energy. Fantastic!
As mentioned previously, I am trying to get out and experience some of the other trails in the Dallas / Fort Worth area. I've decided to start with the trails surrounding Lake Grapevine. Today I ran part of the Knob Hills Trail, starting at the
Dunham Road trail head and heading southward.
My training plan called for a 4 mile run today. So my intention was to run about 2 miles, then turn around and run back. But I was enjoying the trail so much that I keep going until I ran into a very wet swampy area that was significantly overgrown. Instead of trudging through the swamp, I turned around and headed back.
Here's a map of my run, followed by some pictures from the Knob Hills Trail.
The Knob Hills trail has three trail heads (that I know of). I parked at the Dunham trail head, which is located at the end of a gravel road.
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Knob Hills Dunham Trail Head Parking |
The road stops after the parking area where it is blocked by a gate. The road continues after the gate for about a tenth of a mile, where it meets up with the trail. I could go right or left. I selected right.
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Gate at trail head. |
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Parts of the trail are overgrown. |
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Some rocky inclines. |
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I loved this section, the trail slowing rolling back and forth. |
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Lots of cactus along side the trail. |
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Also pretty flowers (or weeds) to look at. |
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The trail works its way through a wooded area. |
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More of the wooded area. |
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Eventually, I found myself walking through a
mucky swamp. The smell was terrible! |
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I turned around when the water started overtaking the trail. |
I know the North Texas Trail Runners hold a yearly club run at this location. But I think it was cancelled the last couple of years because of flooding. I now understand why!
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More interesting vegetation on the return run. |
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More rocky inclines. |
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I almost missed this little rest stop. I found a small offshoot
of the trail that lead me to this spot. See next picture... |
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The view from the bench pictured above. I
bet this is a fabulous view in the fall or spring. |
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The trail winding its way down from the bench rest area. |
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Back into the trees. |
When I arrived at the road leading back to the trail head, I didn't feel like stopping. So I kept going a little further down the trail. I came across a neat little concrete bridge with a river flowing under it.
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The concrete bridge. |
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View of the river from the concrete bridge. |
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Trail is significantly overgrown after the
concrete bridge, so I turned around. |
The run from the trail back up Dunham road to the trail head is all uphill and covered in rocks. I picked up the speed a little bit so that I finished strong.
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Closed portion of Dunham road heading up to trail head parking area. |
Well, that's it for this run report. Loved it. Will probably start at one of the other trail heads next time so I can see more of the trail. But this one is definitely a do-over.
You took a picture of my Happy Place! The vista from that bench is beautiful and so peaceful, and it was a little surprise in the middle of the trail. That exact spot is why I'm going back on Saturday! Thank you!!
ReplyDeletei've run this, it's pretty awesome
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ReplyDelete