Keith Stelter - Best Hikes Houston: The Greatest Views, Wildlife, and Forest Strolls

Combine portions of the Purple, Orange, Yellow, Red, and Blue Trails into a loop that covers the most interesting areas of Memorial Parkthe largest urban park in Texas, nearly double the size of New Yorks Central Park. Camp Logan, a World War I army training camp, occupied this site from 1917 to 1923. The family of James Hogg (governor of Texas from 1891 to 1895) sold 1,503 acres to the city in 1924 and later donated another 1,000 acres for the park.

Start: Purple Trail trailhead adjacent to parking area on North Picnic Lane

Distance: 2.4-mile loop

Approximate hiking time: 1.75 hours

Difficulty: Moderate due to winding narrow trails with some elevation changes

Trail surface: Crushed granite, dirt

Seasons: Year-round

Other trail users: Dog walkers, mountain bikers

Canine compatibility: Leashed dogs permitted

Fees and permits: None required

Schedule: 6 a.m.11 p.m.

Maps: None available in the park. Maps are available at www.memorialparkconservancy.org/visit/memorial-park-map.html

Trail contact: Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD), 2999 South Wayside Dr., Houston 77023; (832) 395-7100; www.houstontx.gov/parks/trails.html

Other: There is a portable toilet by the parking area and a hose for water. No potable water or restrooms on the trail.

Finding the trailhead: From the intersection of I-10 and Loop I-610, take Loop I-610 South to Memorial Drive (exit 10). Head east on Memorial Drive into the park and follow Memorial Drive to North Picnic Lane; turn right. Take an immediate right to the ball field parking lot. GPS: N29 45.883' / W95 26.488'

Start at the Purple Trail trailhead adjacent to the parking area on North Picnic Lane. Ball fields are on the right. This collection of trails is often referred to as the Ho Chi Minh Trail, possibly because its heavily wooded, even jungle-like, but the paths are easy to follow and the atmosphere is cool and green. These are among the best trails inside the I-610 Loop in Houston. Depending on the season, mosquitoes can be annoying, so be prepared.

The trail quickly veers left at the trailhead, away from the ball fields, and passes a path on the right identified on a marker post as the Red Trail. Stay on the Purple Trail, going through heavy woods of live oaks, black cherry trees, and loblolly pines. The path is flat, with tangled tree roots crossing it. If just the Purple Trail were followed, it would form a large loop back to the trailhead.

THE HOGGS AND MEMORIAL PARK

A friend and I had just arrived at Memorial Park (Hike 1) for some hiking. As we got out of the car, my friend, who is a history teacher, said, Did you know the family of Big Jim Hogg deeded, at cost, fifteen hundred acres to the city to create this park in 1924? During World War I, the site contained Camp Logan, a training camp for soldiers.

My friend continued, The Hogg children purchased the property with proceeds of the fortune they had amassed from the oil discovered in 1918 on their property, Varner Plantation. At one point in time they were earning $225,000 a month from the oil. According to Hogg biographer Gwendolyn Cone Neely, the Hoggs did not believe that the oil money was rightfully theirs, as it had come from the land and not hard work, and they were determined to use it for the good of Texas.

I replied that I had no idea that one family was responsible for this park, but I shared the knowledge I did have: I know Memorial has nearly twice the acreage of New Yorks Central Park and ranks as the fifty-fifth largest city park in the country. Its also unique in that it has so many features, including a golf course, tennis courts, a jogging track, and acres of wooded hills for hiking and mountain biking. By the way, is Ima Hogg part of that family group? I often wondered why parents would ever give that name to a daughter.

My friend answered that he also had been curious about the name and had done a little research. He continued, Her father, the aforementioned Big Jim Hogg, was responsible for the name and, believe it or not, was proud of it. After her birth on July 10, 1882, he wrote: Our cup of joy is now overflowing! We have a daughter of as fine proportions and of as angelic mien as ever gracious nature favor a man with, and her name is Ima!

I was taken aback. I cant believe those words and that crude attempt to make them poetic came from a loving father. Despite that, Hogg served two terms as the twentieth governor of Texas, from 1890 to 1895. He was the first Texas governor born in the state.

Apparently, my friend continued, he had become fascinated with the name after seeing it in an epic poem, The Fate of Marvin, written by his brother Thomas. The heroine of the poem was called Ima, short for Imogene.

Miss Hogg told the story: My grandfather Stinson lived fifteen miles from Mineola, and news traveled slowly. When he learned of his granddaughters name, he came trotting to town as fast as he could to protest, but it was too late. The christening had taken place, and Ima I was to remain. She endeavored to downplay her name by signing her first name illegibly and having her stationery printed with I. Hogg or Miss Hogg. For decades she was considered to be the First Lady of Texas. Her friends called her Miss Ima. She never married and died in 1975.

Miss Ima had a significant impact on keeping Memorial Park a place for families and hikers by appointing several of her friends to oversee the park: Terry Hershey, Frank C. Smith Jr., Sadie Gwin Blackburn, and Dr. John D. Staub. They deflected hundreds of various misuses and development plans, ranging from a fish hatchery to a university to oil exploration. The group became known as the Memorial Park Advisory Committee. They enforced the transfer agreement that stated the land must be used for park purposes only or it would revert to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The park is hugely popular and used by thousands of outdoor enthusiasts every year; in fact, the Memorial Park Conservancy received a 2006 Mayors Proud Partner Award for significant trail improvements. KS

Reach a Y and follow the Blue Trail to the left as it undulates up and down and is sometimes single-track. There are numerous gullies, some with drop-offs of 30 feet, at the trails edge. Mountain bikers use all of these trails, so stay to the right and be alert. Opossums, squirrels, armadillos, raccoons, rabbits, coyotes, turtles, and snakes call this area home. Most likely only squirrels will be seen, but watching for tracks can be interesting.