The day started like most! An early drive through the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex was met with the noise of city life and the starting and stopping of I30 traffic. I passed by roads and roads of concrete, weaving in and out of cars attempting to merge onto I20 towards Cedar Hill. No one in their right mind would believe a natural wildlife area could exist in a land of so much urban development until you make that final bend on the interstate. The flat land of shops, neighborhoods, and extensive interwinding highways dissolves into rolling hills covered in dense forested vegetation as far as you can gaze.
In early December, the hills are blanketed in grays and browns with almost all fall foliage now decomposing on the forest floor. You feel relief seeing the lack of development immersed in the metroplex. The traffic does not let up, but it is calming to know there is a wild place you can retreat to amidst the hustle and bustle of our crazy lives.
Cedar Hill State Park is one of many parks that call this piece of nature home. The Texas State Park sits on Joe Pool Lake and offers many fun activities including biking, fishing, swimming, camping, geocaching, and hiking.
My first visit to the park was two years ago when I camped overnight at one of their primitive camping sites. This was one of my first primitive camping experiences that required backpacking (it's only about a one-mile hike, so the experience is excellent for people just getting into backpacking and primitive camping).
This second visit was just a long hiking day. I started early in the morning, wearing several winter layers to protect from the cold morning wind. The rangers at the entrance were friendly but confused to see someone walking up without a car or boat. I explained I was hiking in and paid the $7 day pass fee.
"Day Use" on the Lake
In no time, I was at the "day use" area on the lake. Due to winter, only one other man was out walking the lake trail, but during warmer seasons, I can imagine how popular this place becomes as it is a perfect place to take family and friends for a fun and safe outing. The shoreline has well-manicured grass fields and individual picnic spots with ample distance separating each for a bit of privacy. If you are looking for a safe "swim only" option, designated swim beaches are in the "day use" area perfect for the kids.
A nicely paved trail takes you through the "day use" area alongside a cove where the manicured fields disappear into dense reeds and woody vegetation. The cove offers a boat ramp where one fisherman was preparing to send off for the morning in his dinghy. Across the way, a lighted fishing jetty already had some people casting their lines. Folks visit to fish bass, crappie, and catfish.
Penn Farm Trail
Back on the road and hiking to the other side of the park, I encountered a sign for Penn Farm. Tucked away down a shaded road is the historic Penn family farm. Several original buildings and farm machines from different periods extending back into the mid-twentieth century can be explored. The park does an excellent job of providing signage explaining the history of the land you are standing on.
Talala Trail
The Talala Tail was my absolute favorite part of the day! If you want to hike through diverse, changing ecosystems with amazing overlooks, this is the trail. The Talala connects to the Penn Farm Trail and begins by taking you through a dark, densely wooded forest. The patches of cedar elms litter the ground with their jagged yellow leaves this time of year.
The woods open up to the hills of Blackland Prairie. Cedar Hill protects some of the largest areas of native prairie in the state of Texas. Though the wildflowers and grasses are dormant, I was amazed by the openness of the area. The crows and white-throated sparrows are very active and easily spotted through the tall, grassy, and shrubby areas of the prairie.
The hike brings you to several lookout points worth taking a few moments to rest and look at the entire lake and surrounding DFW area. Gorgeous views of the lake looking west are common on this trail. This hike is only 2.3 miles but it seems longer with how much stopping and looking you will be doing.
Plum Valley Trail
Plum Valley was the best trail to end on. After a long day learning about the land's history and being amazed at the overlook views high on the grassland hills, this trail rested me. There is a small section of open grassland where vibrant red sumac liven up the yellow field. Most of the trail, however, is under the shade of ash juniper forest. The trail itself is pretty easy with little ups and downs along the way. I came across a couple of old wooden bridges that crossed slow-moving creeks. On the other side of the trail is a bench where I sat for a good while looking out onto a valley and watching the wind move the trees. I stopped and listened a lot on this trail. If you have little ones or want a quiet and easy trail, this is the one to find.
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