Quanah, TX - Copper Breaks State Park

We've been here before in 2005, but we've found that some places are worth visiting again and again. This State Park is one of them. On our last visit we thought it was wonderful that we were the only campers. On this visit I'm worried that, being one of 5 RVers, that this park can't maintain itself - so come visit and give them your money! It's beautiful with it's red rock canyon, ponds & lakes, and riparian areas. It's also has a small area that is like a painted desert and badlands.

This visit we caught the wildflowers in bloom. I told you we'd find some Texas Bluebonnets....

And this year, some of the Longhorn herd was near the fence for us to look at. You can also see the Yucca in bloom - we're in the desert now!












Each campsite has a tee-pee shading the picnic tables.

Being in the desert means you have to watch out for cacti. This variety is called the Horse Crippler. We figured that it could also be called a Hiker Crippler or a Mountain Bike Crippler being that it lies low in the grass with these big spines. Fortunately for us we weren't crippled on this trip!

Somehow we also missed this desert hazard while mountain biking, too. His thick body was taking up the bulk of the trail when Andy zoomed past without even knowing it. I didn't process the sighting either until after I passed him. All I could think was "yellow/black, head up, thick body...aaahh, snake!". This just proves that most wildlife won't attack unless provoked. I was within easy striking distance when I rode by.

The rains kept us from mountain biking after we arrived yesterday. And this morning, the sun rose above the mist, and slunk behind some clouds within minutes. We were afraid we wouldn't get a bike ride in on this visit. But it cleared and we had a beautiful ride:


One loop called Rocky Ledges has eroded quite a bit. What we remembered to be some easy sections were no longer doable because the erosion has changed the landscape. It is a gorgeous trail, though, so definitely worth a hike.
This part was not doable the last time, though, either!