Closed Trail Status

These trails are currently closed by the US Forest Service.  Updates will be provided when new information is available.

CLOSED TRAILS:

MULTI-USE TRAILS (MUT):

WESTSIDE:

• Woodpecker (south of FM 1375)

• Honeymoon

• Big Loop

• Kellys Pond Trail

Woodpecker, Honeymoon, and Big Loop have severe erosion and chronic drainage problems due to multi-year weather events and insufficient regular maintenance.  Kellys Pond Trail is closed because it is the access route for the closed trails.

Frequent rains in June/July kept conditions too wet for heavy machinery work.  As of August 2025, Woodpecker and Honeymoon are being repaired by volunteers so they can be reopened along with KPT.  Once this is done the priority will shift to Big Loop.  Volunteer help is needed.  To get involved and make a difference, contact Jeff Heller mut.projectmanager@samhoustontrails.com

Sustainable trail rehab of chronic drainage areas on Honeymoon and south Woodpecker will be a contractor-based project led by SHTC.  It is tentatively scheduled for early Fall 2025.

EASTSIDE:

• Lake Loop

• YCC

Lake Loop was closed in April 2021 when Bridge 1 was damaged during a Prescribed Burn operation.  The US Forest Service (USFS) engineering evaluation determined the bridge could not be repaired.  Funding to replace the bridge was not immediately available and the FS began project and funding planning.  In December of 2022 the USFS began the Archeological Heritage Survey on the MUT which limits rehabilitation efforts until the study is completed and approved by the Texas State Historic Preservation Office and Tribal offices.  The fieldwork was completed in the Fall of 2024.  The FS is still working on the final report to the Heritage offices.

Extreme weather events in subsequent years have resulted in 7 more damaged/destroyed bridges on Lake Loop as well as two bridges on YCC.   This project is being managed by the US Forest Service.  They plan to address the rehabilitation through contractor efforts to ensure a comprehensive approach to recovery and future resilience.  This is not a Trails Coalition project.  We will continue to meet with the FS regularly and assist however we can.

NWCC C-57 CYCLING TRAIL:

The section of North Loop from Start Hill to the west junction with Inner Loop is closed due to the failure of the fiberglass bridge in 2024 from repeated extreme weather events.  The US Forest Service is working with the Sam Houston Trails Coalition and National Forest Foundation to procure disaster funding so the bridge can be repaired.  The repair will involve fixing the support structures under the existing bridge, replacing damaged fiberglass components, and building a 20’ bridge extension.  Obtaining quotes for the foundation work is currently underway.  Bill Elwell is the project manager:  Hiking.events@samhoustontrails.com