Brazos Bend Letterbox

Texas Birding Trail Series

American Alligator

Placed By: Silver Eagle (my first carved stamp)
Date: 11/09/02, Relocated (04/18/03), Replaced container and log (01/01/07), Replaced container (12/17/08)
Nearest Town: Needville, Tx.
County: Fort Bend
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, .5 mile RT)
Status: alive (12/28/08)

SPECIAL THANKS TO BOOTS TEX AND LONE STAR QUILTER FOR REPLACING THE LOG

Brazos Bend State Park is part of the Brazoria Loop described on the Upper Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail map. This park is unique in that it offers both wildlife and astronomy. You can see alligators, birds and deer by day and heavenly bodies by night! The George Observatory is located in the park and features a 36" telescope open for public viewing on Saturday nights for a small fee. Many local amateur astronomers also set up their telescopes and invite you to join the "star party". Don't forget to look for Baby Bear's Stargazer letterbox near there, too. The park entry fee for adults is $4.00, but well worth the price.

Directions:

The park may be reached by traveling approximately 20 miles southeast of Richmond on FM 762 from Hwy. 59, or by traveling south from Houston on State Highway 288 to Rosharon, then west on FM 1462.

Clues:

From the 40 Acre Lake parking area, walk behind the restrooms and find the trailhead for 40 Acre Lake Trail (look for Observation Tower sign). Proceed northwest on the gravel path (not asphalt path through picnic area) for 175 steps to a junction with another trail. Go right (north) for 70 steps to the Prairie/Hoots Hollow Trail sign, then continue on main trail for 85 more steps to a bench on the right. From the bench, go left 30 steps to the Hoots Hollow trail head. Walk on it 50 steps to a bench on the left. From the bench, continue 150 steps to a fork in the loop trail with a post showing an arrow. From the post, go left (south) for 30 steps just past a fallen tree on the left. Look ahead and to the right (southwest at 230) for a large tree by itself and walk 15 steps to it. Look on its far side in a crevice at its base under some dead leaves for the box. When done, continue on the loop trail, or backtrack to the 40 Acre Lake Trail and continue on to the Observation Tower to see birds and alligators.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 12/30/2008

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