Tree Size at Cross Timbers Texoma

[FreedomVan]

Hi folks. I'm planning to head out to Cross Timbers at Lake Texoma soon for the first time. It dawned on me that I only have 3' tree huggers and I'm not sure what the trees at the campsites look like up there. I know there's supposed to be a lot of blackjack oak, which I believe is a smaller diameter tree, but I don't know what is growing at the actual sites.

I'm not really sure where I'll make camp. I might stop walking 3/4 of a mile in or I might make 7 miles. But if I know that a certain site will or won't do with my straps, I'll use that as a goal or change where I park. I don't think I'll be able to get new straps before then and I really don't want to spend any more money on this particular trip anyway.

Any help is welcome and thank you in advance!

[wrangler88]

Its been a long time since the last time I went out there, but I remember there being a great campsite for hanging less than a mile from the start of the trail. Right on the lake, but also, right on the trail. As far as tree size, I was using strap suspension so I can't recall exact size of the trees. I don't remember them being anything too big. There are a ton of trees and a lot of places you could hang. I'm sure you can find something that'll work. Although, you'd really open up your options with longer huggers.

Enjoy. I'm hoping to get out there sometime this winter.

[5th]

You could use rope instead of tree huggers, It's relatively inexpensive if a bit heavy. Run it around the tree 3 or more times and clip to all the lines, not just one. Multiple rounds spreads the load (less stress on the line) and lessens the pressure on any one point of the tree. I did this for years with my HH because the trees here are large and the huggers I had weren't long enough. I suppose it might damage some trees with fragile bark, but it never left any damage on the conifers I hung from.

[FreedomVan]

Thanks! I'm going to roll the dice with my huggers, but I will have some cordage with me.

[rhjanes]

tons of trees. It's been around 2 years since I hiked it. But lots of different distances between trees. Most of the trees were like 8 to 12 inches in diameter. the camp sites have fire rings and zero underbrush. Some, like 5 mile camp, is like 100 foot square all ready for camping. I hiked with Caveman and he also pointed out some other sites he'd camped in or "thought about it"....stuff that was NOT an existing camp area.

[cTall]

I was just in Xtimbers in late may. I found plenty of places to hang even with my little Hennessey straps. Have fun going up Monkey's Butt Hill :lol:

[gospidey]

tons of trees. It's been around 2 years since I hiked it. But lots of different distances between trees. Most of the trees were like 8 to 12 inches in diameter. the camp sites have fire rings and zero underbrush. Some, like 5 mile camp, is like 100 foot square all ready for camping. I hiked with Caveman and he also pointed out some other sites he'd camped in or "thought about it"....stuff that was NOT an existing camp area.

+1 on rhjanes decent trees everywhere. We camped about a mile down the trail just off the path, but the ability to go much further is there. One of my favorite "close by" places.

[FreedomVan]

Thanks guys. Really looking forward to it. I'll be using the aforementioned Hennessy straps.

[FreedomVan]

Thanks for all the responses guys! I had a great time despite some CBS. And the trees were perfect!!!

Made a short slide show of some shots where the trail neared the lake as well as around 5 Mile camp.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv3UT0fJDC0&list=UUK2gyVTTvXoAi9S5J2WDThg&index=1

[rhjanes]

NIce video..
Texas lakes are getting SO low.....sad and scary.
CBS? My one trip on the Cross Timbers, was a winter hike. I survived 18 degrees in the hammock (and CBS....but I learned some stuff! Tighten up the UQ, Do NOT put your platy between the UQ and hammock as that just pulled the UQ away, kept the water from freezing, but also made me cold).