Hiking / Camping Sam Houston Natl Forest (pics)

Went north of Montgomery, TX to do a little backpacking and minimalist camping last week. I own a little postage stamp size lot that backs up to the Sam Houston National Forest so I have private access.

Beautiful drive...passed the old boundary sign...




Then I drove past some new shite...WTF?! Did I really see what I thought I saw?

So I stopped, turned around and went back to make sure I wasn't hallucinating...




Th' hell? I've hiked, camped, and hunted these woods for 30 years, and now they want to herd me into some campground or something? Hmmm...my opinion on that?






They'll have to find my arse first, and I guarantee damn well I know these woods better than all the Rangers combined. All I can say is they better have IR or hounds if they hope to stand a chance.

So I hike 2 miles to a favorite spot along the border of an open area and some older growth timber and pitch tent.



There are 2 good water sources, an old pond loaded with fish and so much game and natural foods that I could get fat in a survival situation here.

Weather forecasters called for a low temp of 38 deg., so I had prepared accordingly. Started getting a little chilly not long after I bedded down...eventually I had to say fricking-A when I noticed ice forming on the INSIDE of my rain fly at 10pm. That's a hell of a lot colder than 38 deg. Spent much of the night think of how I wanted to track down that weatherman and kick him in the nuts.




Here's the INSIDE of my rain fly, which is supposed to be O.D. color under that ice...




I didn't do much hiking. Just enjoyed laying around on my arse reading a book for the first time in years. I picked up a $5 book at the grocery store on the way up to the woods about personalities and stuff. I learned that some people may think I'm an a-hole.

Stayed another night...a little above freezing a and very pleasant. Couldn't believe I was hearing crickets and frogs in January.

Was it worth it?