Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a great location to ride a bike. Dozens of miles of caliche, dirt, or paved trails traverse the Refuge. Almost all are open to bicycles. Trails range from easy to challenging, but most are good, compacted caliche with some potholes, ruts and vegetation. I sampled several trails on this 32.5-mile ride.
The Visitor’s Center is the most convenient starting point. You will find it at 22688 Buena Vista Blvd, Los Fresnos, Cameron County, Texas. That is about ten miles northwest of Laguna Vista and about 15 miles northeast of Los Fresnos off General Brant Road (FM 106).
From there, I rode my Surly Long Haul Trucker northward a mile and a half on Lakeside Drive where in the light fog I spotted four coyotes, two adults and two pups in the road. I took Gator Pond Trail, asphalt, to the pond a third of a mile to the south. I spotted a bobcat on the trail. It faced away from me. It looked back at me and stayed long enough for me to snap its picture before it leaped into the brush.
I stayed at the pond for long enough to see that no birds waded there and then went north to County Road where I spooked three White-tailed Deer. I stayed on County Road for about five miles to the intersection of Horse Island Trail, North Point Trail, and Last Gate Trail. I rode west on the latter.
I heard only the crunch of gravel under my tires, the thunk of my chain changing sprockets, the wind and the occasional call of birds flying overhead. I sweated beneath my jersey and undershirt even under the gray sky and in the cool air. I smelled the spice-like scent of the brush and mesquite as I passed. Damp grass wet my legs and my bike and dirt stuck to them.
Last Gate Trail soon became Center Line Trail and crossed Cayo Atascoso. A Great Blue Heron and a flock of Redhead Ducks lifted off the water at my approach.
At Cayo Atascoso I took West Lake Trail south, beside the water where White Pelicans, American Coots, Black-necked Stilts and other birds fed.
I continued over brushy lomas, and across coastal prairie to FM 106. I crossed the road and continued on Prairie Trail, a four-mile loop, where I spotted a small herd of Nilgai Antelope. After the loop, I crossed the road again and followed Gator Pond Trail, quite rutted and muddy in spots, to Lakeside Drive and back to the Visitor’s Center.
I didn’t see much wildlife on this ride, although I have on previous rides. The temperature, the gray sky, the variety of landscape, and the solitude made for an excellent bike ride. Laguna Atascosa is always a great place for cycling.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Fran.