Houston Regional Group - News

The year 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) in Sam Houston National Forest (SHNF). The 128 mile LSHT is the longest continuous hiking trail in the State of Texas.

The LSHT evolved from a 1966 Lone Star Chapter Sierra Club (there was no Houston Regional Group at the time) campfire discussion in Sam Houston National Forest. There was a shortage of hiking trails in Texas and the proposal for a 100 mile hiking trail by Orrin Bonney sparked immediate interest and action. The first 30 miles of the LSHT were dedicated in 1968.

It took the Sierra Club and others (for example, Boy Scouts) until 1972 to complete the LSHT. The last section was constructed to and along Tarkington Bayou to the end point, FM 2025. A few years later an opportunity arose to extend the LSHT across the East Fork of the San Jacinto River, for a second time, and Winters Bayou to FM 1725. This part of the LSHT was turned over to the U.S. Forest Service as complete in 1978.

The LSHT is the only low impact, backcountry, cross-country, long distance, hiking trail in East Texas. It literally is the only place where hikers can enjoy an extended, peaceful, quiet, hike through pine and hardwood forests and along creek-sides; hear natural sounds; and experience solitude.

Since 1967 the Sierra Club (now the Houston Regional Group) and others have maintained the trail so that it is open to all for tranquil walks or energetic hikes. Easily accessible at many trailheads the LSHT starts near Richards, Texas (Montgomery/Grimes County line) and ends near Montague Church at Winters Bayou (San Jacinto County), just north of Cleveland, Texas.

For more information about the LSHT contact Brandt Mannchen at 713- 664-5962 or brandtshnfbt@juno.com or view the Houston Regional Group's publication, Bayou Banner, on the Sierra Club website.

January 2007

Last updated:  12/16/2006.   Content © 1999-2006 by the Sierra Club.