Jordan Park Trail Hike

Spent a few hours at Lake Ray Roberts State Park exploring the "off the beaten path" Jordan Park Trail.

Walked 3.68 miles up the Jordan Park Trail and back, starting at Lantana Lodge

Heading south down the trail would (eventually) end up back at the Elm Fork Trail, the Lake Ray Roberts dam, the Isle du Bois Unit of the State Park, and the Greenbelt Trail

Hot day and a very sandy trail made it a slow go

The woods are thick and (I'm guessing) are probably hiding more than a few critters who just sit back and watching all the park visitors who wander by

But as this was the middle of the afternoon on a hot day, the shade was a welcome sight

A side trail branched out to the lake, probably so the horseback riders could care to their thirsty horses. This stretch of the shoreline was somewhat remote with very few signs of human activity. (Other than a handful of garbage that appeared to have washed ashore).

Panoramic view of the shoreline. Probably due to the isolation of the area, I think this was the clearest water I've ever seen at Lake Ray Roberts. Very little sediment in floating about. Ended up walking out about 50 feet where it was perhaps 2 feet deep and could still see my feet on the bottom. Doesn't sound that good. But very rare for North Texas Lakes.

This stretch also oddly didn't have that "fishy" smell usually common to North Texas lakes

Looking northeast up the red dirt shoreline

Couple of years of Texas drought has put a serious dent in the Lake. Easy to tell where it would be if at 'normal' levels. The circling vultures seemed to add to the perception of desolation

A long dead oak stands along the receded shoreline

More out in the water. All predate the flooding of the Lake back in the early '80s

Little farther up the shoreline, water erosion has washed away the sand and soil exposing the natural rocks. A herd of six deer (not shown) darted off from the trees behind us (also not shown) as soon as we cleared this stretch. I figure we were within 50 feet of them at one point and had no idea they were there.

Natural grasses have taken over the exposed lakebed

Mayflies were all over the shoreline. But for whatever reason, this stretch was swarming with them.

Getting hot and running low on drinking water. Time to turn around and head back

Random Sunset over North Lakes

Random view from my semi-nightly 5 miles. . .

Looking north from the levy with everything reflecting off the lake

George Washington Bridge Overlook

With the team meetings at the office ended around 12:30p and not having to be back at Newark for my outbound flight until 5:30p, I went looking for someplace scenic for a picnic (and to catch up on the email). Found the overlook at Fort Lee Historic Park just before the George Washington Bridge tollbooths.

The George Washington Bridge from the Fort Lee Historic Park overlook. A light rain was falling off and on for most of the picnic, obscuring much of the view. The Jeffery's Hook Light (aka Little Red Lighthouse) also sits in the shadow of the eastern bridge pier.

Noise from the bridge traffic echoed up and somewhat tainted the experience

Clouds broke after a half an hour and made for some better views. The Jeffery's Hook Light (aka Little Red Lighthouse) is also now far more visible at the bottom center.

Still noisy though

View of the bridge through the Park's oak trees

Relocated a mile or so up the Hudson River shoreline to Allison Park as so I could attend a quick customer conference call without the bridge roadnoise.

Historical marker reads:
"Allison Park
The trustees under the will of William Outis Allison have developed this park to carry out his expressed purpose to please almighty God and benefit his fellow men. This park near which Mr. Allison was born and spent his entire life will be thus maintained in perpetuity.
1849-1924"

View of the George Washington Bridge from Allison Park. The Manhattan skyline is also (somewhat) visible in the distance.

Closer view of the Bridge and the Manhattan skyline

Looking NE from the park overlook towards Yonkers and the Harlem River

Looking east from the Park towards Washington Heights