Rail-to-Trail Conversion
From Estillene to South Plains, TX
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Rail-to-Trail Conversion |
~ These pictures are taken from South Plains to Monks Crossing ~
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of pictures from left to right: ~Typical view of the canyons that adorn each side of the trail during the middle of the trip. Watch for dramatic drop-offs on each side of the trail. ~Trail entrance at South Plains. Don't let the appearance of the first mile discourage you; you will soon experience an elevation descent from approx. 3500 to approx. 2200 in a matter of about 10 miles. ~The first mile and 1/2 of the trail are not representative of the rest of the trail. The beginning of the trail can be a little overgrown and it is flat for the first few minutes, but it will improve and get interesting quickly. The grain elevators on the right side of the trail are a great trail-head marker. You can click on these photos to see a larger copy!! |
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Also, a link for the weather for the nearby town of Childress, Texas: http://www.weather.com/weather/cities/us_tx_childress.html
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of pictures from left to right: ~Hotel Turkey innkeepers Gary & Suzie Johnson with rookie biker Grace Jemela. Mr.. Johnson will shuttle his hotel guests to South Plains, after the complimentary awesome breakfast. For more information about Hotel Turkey, check out their website: www.llano.net/turkey/hotel as well as the website for the town of Turkey: www.turkeytexas.com/. For more information about the Rails-To-Trails System and the Caprock Canyons State Park, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/caprock/caprock.htm. ~The reception area/parlor of the Hotel Turkey. You can click on these photos to see a larger copy!! |
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All Pictures on this page were given to us by Attorney Donald J. Jemela.
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of pictures from left to right: ~Grace Jemela of New Braunfels, Texas, age 8, on her first offroad experience. Grace is shown with her tandem bicycle piloted by her dad, Attorney Donald J. Jemela. jemela@sat.net ~Once you start the descent through the Caprocks, the trail will wind through various rock formations, and cuts like these are frequently seen. From a distance they appear interesting, but then they become a huge spectacle once you are upon them. You can click on these photos to see a larger copy!! |
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of pictures from left to right: ~At about mile 12, at the end of a long gentle curve, you will find the entrance of the old railroad tunnel, which is about 740 feet long. It was the last operating railroad tunnel in Texas. Its use was discontinued approximately 25 years ago according to the locals. According to one local, on the last day the last train went through the tunnel, the engineer stopped at the end of the tunnel and carved the date into a wood member. ~Grace at the end of the tunnel; watch out for bats! (we didn't see any but the signs warn you to leave them alone). You can click on these photos to see a larger copy!! |
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All graphics and information copyright 1998-2000, Steven M. Lawrence
Unless otherwise noted.
