Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Finding the trailhead: From the intersection of I-10 and I-610 South, take the I-610
loop South to Memorial Drive/Woodway Drive (exit 10). Turn left at Woodway Drive
and into the arboretum parking area at 4501 Woodway Dr. Parking is at the visitor cen-
ter, along the central driveway as you enter the park. The trailhead adjoins the parking
area. DeLorme: Texas Atlas & Gazetteer: Page 129 J10. GPS: N29 45.928' / W95
27.096'
The Hike
Start the hike at the Willow Oak trailhead, located adjacent to the east end of the parking area. Head
east toward the Outer Loop Trail. This hike combines sections of the Willow Oak, Outer Loop, and
Alice Brown Trails and the out-and-back Charlotte Couch Birding Trail.
All the trails are well marked, so it is easy to alter any hike as you go. Another advantage is that
most of the trails are short, ranging in length from 0.08 mile to 0.5 mile. Many boardwalks, mulch, and
leaf-covered dirt make up the trails' surface. Benches are placed strategically along the trails and are
generally in the shade. Much of the hike is in the woods and well shaded, passing through forest, pond,
and meadow habitats.
On the east side of the park, the Outer Loop Trail skirts the edge of a demonstration meadow. It con-
sists of mostly grasses, sedges (rushlike plants), and wildflowers. Watch for sunflowers, asters, coreop-
sis, and the Texas paintbrush, looking like a ragged brush dipped in bright paint.
This is a great place to watch for some of the 167 species of birds found in the park, including
killdeers, swallows, Carolina wrens, and the colorful eastern bluebirds. Red-tailed hawks may be ob-
served perched in a tree watching for a meal.
Nonvenomous water snakes reside near the pond, including the black-banded water snake, which is
often mistaken for a water moccasin. Venomous water moccasins do live in the park, but when found
they are moved to the bayou area. In spring listen for the sounds of green tree frogs as groups of them
form a noisy chorus.
Coyotes have moved into the park and are breeding here. It is unusual to see one, but watching for
their tracks adds interest to the hike. They are similar to a dog's print, except the coyote's front paw
print is slightly larger than its back and shows four toes, while the back print is shaped like a pair of
lips.
At the Charlotte Couch Bird Walkway overlooking Buffalo Bayou—at the end of the out-and-back
leg of the hike—you might spot herons, egrets, and numerous songbirds. River birch, dogwoods, and a
variety of other tree species can be seen.
Return to the Outer Loop and watch for southern red oaks, post oaks, large loblolly pines, and
southern magnolias and numerous songbirds flitting in and out of the woods. Add another dimension
to this hike by taking along binoculars or a field guide of your choice.
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