jqueen
0
This thread is dedicated to rides in Sam Houston National Forest. Pop in here to see if anybody is planning on riding in the near future, or to ask if somebody wants to go with you.
For those that don't know, a short description of SHNF:
The multi use trails at Sam Houston National Forest are open to motorcycles and atv's. They are heavily wooded, and while the trails are wide enough that a 4-wheeler will fit, they are still fairly technical, with lots of whoops and sand. If there has been some rain, then the traction is much improved, and the mud is not too slick. If you are a beginner, you will find it difficult to carry much speed - the trails are also much easier on a smaller trail bike. If it rains too much, they will be closed. You should always call before you haul, the number is (936) 344 6205.
Requirements to Ride:
There are two separate sections of trail, the east side and the west side. Both sides have multiple trails, so it is not quite right to call them "loops". There are about 40 miles of trail on each side, and it is very easy to get so far away from the trailhead that it would take a LONG time to get back, so please try to ride with a friend. The east side only has one parking spot, and seems to be less popular. I don't know if it is more/less technical, or if it is just because the trailhead/parking spot is farther from the road and takes a while to get to. The west side has multiple trailheads/parking spots. One of the popular ones is Kelly's Pond.
Directions to trailheads:
(All directions start from New Waverly, Texas):
East Side Trailhead (233): From I-45 follow FM 1375 west for 4 miles, turn north onto FS Road 233 and follow 2.5 miles.
West Side Trailhead (208): Follow FM 1375 west approximately 10 miles, turn north onto FS Road 208, continue 1.4 miles to trailhead.
Kelly Pond Trailhead: From I-45 follow FM 1375 west approximately 10 miles, turn south on FS Road 204 for 1 mile, and turn west on FS Road 271 for 1.5 miles.
Northwest Trailhead: From I-45 follow FM 1375 west approximately 14 miles, turn right onto FM 149 and follow approximately 1.5 miles, turn north onto FM 1791, and follow 4 miles to intersection with FS Road 208 to trailhead.
Trail Maps:Maps should be available at the national forest website.
Also, these should be relatively current maps including trail names (updated 10-28-2014):
View attachment 32307
View attachment 32308
GPS files are available at Everytrail.com. Search for SHNF and you should see two uploads from jqueen.
See you there!
For those that don't know, a short description of SHNF:
The multi use trails at Sam Houston National Forest are open to motorcycles and atv's. They are heavily wooded, and while the trails are wide enough that a 4-wheeler will fit, they are still fairly technical, with lots of whoops and sand. If there has been some rain, then the traction is much improved, and the mud is not too slick. If you are a beginner, you will find it difficult to carry much speed - the trails are also much easier on a smaller trail bike. If it rains too much, they will be closed. You should always call before you haul, the number is (936) 344 6205.
Requirements to Ride:
- Helmet and eye protection is required.
- You must have an $16.00 sticker for your bike, it's good from August to August, and is required for most government owned riding areas. Get the sticker at Cycle Shack North in Conroe, or check with other motorcycle/atv dealers near Conroe/New Waverly. They do not have the stickers at the park proper
- In addition to the sticker, each rider must pay a $5 fee in a dropbox or have an annual pass for OHV access to the trails So the first time will run you $23 (per rider), but for the rest of the year it's $5 per day (per rider). Or you can pay for the $25 annual pass, making your first time $48, and the rest of the year is free!
- Your bike must have a spark arrestor.
- You do not need a license plate, but it can be convenient, as there are some park roads that will let you shortcut back to your vehicle, but they are roads and so require plates.
There are two separate sections of trail, the east side and the west side. Both sides have multiple trails, so it is not quite right to call them "loops". There are about 40 miles of trail on each side, and it is very easy to get so far away from the trailhead that it would take a LONG time to get back, so please try to ride with a friend. The east side only has one parking spot, and seems to be less popular. I don't know if it is more/less technical, or if it is just because the trailhead/parking spot is farther from the road and takes a while to get to. The west side has multiple trailheads/parking spots. One of the popular ones is Kelly's Pond.
Directions to trailheads:
(All directions start from New Waverly, Texas):
East Side Trailhead (233): From I-45 follow FM 1375 west for 4 miles, turn north onto FS Road 233 and follow 2.5 miles.
West Side Trailhead (208): Follow FM 1375 west approximately 10 miles, turn north onto FS Road 208, continue 1.4 miles to trailhead.
Kelly Pond Trailhead: From I-45 follow FM 1375 west approximately 10 miles, turn south on FS Road 204 for 1 mile, and turn west on FS Road 271 for 1.5 miles.
Northwest Trailhead: From I-45 follow FM 1375 west approximately 14 miles, turn right onto FM 149 and follow approximately 1.5 miles, turn north onto FM 1791, and follow 4 miles to intersection with FS Road 208 to trailhead.
Trail Maps:Maps should be available at the national forest website.
Also, these should be relatively current maps including trail names (updated 10-28-2014):
View attachment 32307
View attachment 32308
GPS files are available at Everytrail.com. Search for SHNF and you should see two uploads from jqueen.
See you there!
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