North Loop of the New Lower Sunset Trail

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Judy Ackerman led a small group of hikers along the north loop of the new Lower Sunset Trail yesterday. The trail is one of many great hikes at the Tom Mays Unit of the Franklin Mountains State Park.

Judy reported: "We hiked the north loop of the new Lower Sunset trail today.  I am constantly impressed with all the improvements in FMSP.  Wasn’t it less than 2 years ago that trail did not exist?  It is a beautiful trail and would be appropriate for beginners."

Here is her data:

Distance:  2.8 miles

Time:  2.5 hrs – very slowly with lunch break

Elevation Change:   447 ft.

WayPoint	Lat Lon	Elevation
7	N31 56.272 W106 31.653	4584 ft
42	N31 56.351 W106 31.342	4633 ft
Intersect1	N31 56.337 W106 31.527	4554 ft
Lunch	N31 56.038 W106 31.522	4738 ft
Start	N31 55.858 W106 30.784	4959 ft
Turn	N31 55.943 W106 31.050	4880 ft

Click image to enlarge.

Park Superintendent, Cesar Mendez, Ph.D., said: "It was about 2 years ago when the trail did not exist. This new section has been in place for a little more than a year. With the shortcut to the group picnic site, this new section of the trail creates a number of options for park users."

Mendez also said that "the new trail over Hitt and Sotol Canyons is almost finished. It should be completed before the end of this month. Then we will be working on other improvements re-routes and brand new trails."

The Park can always use volunteers to help build and maintain trails. Call 915-566-6441 if you are interested.