Trail Guidelines
Here are some general suggestions for those who are new to trails:
- These are heavily rooted, challenging training runs, on narrow bike trails. There may be some water or log crossings.
Running and trail running shoes should be worn.
- Go for time on your feet rather than mileage.
- MAPS: There are maps of most of the trail network (yellow, green, purple, red, orange trails), posted at three major HoChiMinh trailheads.
The same map is posted online at: http://www.houstonparks.org/ParksFacilities/Maps/map_offroadbiking.htm
NOTE: Renegade Purple trail is not shown on this map.
- Main bike trails are marked with colored-coded wooden posts containing arrows (yellow, green, purple, red, orange), Renegade Purple Trail
is marked with hot-pink flares spray-painted on trees (most of the time).
Most of the route we take stays close to the bayou so you can usually plan on right turns at the intersections going out from footbridge.
- Our route may be marked with flour arrows or other indicators but this is not always the case. Hikers may erase the marks.
Other running clubs mark arrows too. Fatigue may cause you to miss an arrow.
- Always stay with a "buddy" if you do not know the way. If you turn back, tell another runner so someone knows where you are.
- To avoid getting lost, check out your surroundings. Each time you run the trails, further develop a sense of where the various white barricades are located,
where the water crossings are located, and where the major forks in the trails are located for future reference. Please do not just follow arrows or
follow blindly behind the person ahead of you.
- If you are lost, backtrack to the last arrow or marker. If you cannot find your way, stay at the arrow. There are always runners doing the return trip and they will find you.
- Do not follow too closely behind the person ahead of you. Allow enough distance between yourself and the person ahead of you,
so that if you fall you don't take the other person down with you. Also if the person ahead of you falls, you will have ample time to react and avoid falling too.
- Carry water! There may be water stops but not always. If you're not sure, ask someone before you leave.
- Drink 20-oz per hour plus some electrolyte replacement. Please don't skimp on water...we can't carry enough to share with you.
In hot weather, it's a good idea to freeze one bottle of water the night before...it'll melt as you run and stay cool!
- We usually have snacks and water stored, but we don't know the number of runners showing up. We may not have enough for everyone.
Carry supplies: Power Gel, eletrolytes, toilet paper, baggie, Tums, candy.
- Please do not litter on the trails.
- You will be running along a Houston Bayou. Be prepared to encounter heat, humidity, water crossings, animals (armadillos, possum, turtles, dogs, mountain bikers),
poisonous snakes (Copperheads, Water Moccasins and Coral snakes can all be found in this area), and possibly a mosquito or two. We try to furnish mosquito spray
at the start but bring your own if possible.
- Falls are a distinct probability if you are not paying attention. Although you should never run alone on the trails, most of these trails are highly used and are relatively safe.
- Encounters with other runners or mountain bikers are highly possible at any time of the day. Call out "Runner(s)" if you think that you possibly hear a bicyclist(s) approaching.
- Wear cool sleeveless non-cotton clothing, and sun block. If warranted, wear mosquito repellent.
- Do not wear headphones. You will not hear, approaching mountain bikes, or lost runners calling in distress.
- There are no toilets on the trails. To poop, go off-trail, dig a small hole with the heel of your shoe, and then bury the remains. It is acceptable to pee by the side of the trail!
- Take salt or some type of electrolyte replacements: On long runs (more than 3 hrs.)
- At stream crossings avoid grabbing tree branches they could be loose.
- Trail right of way:
- Horses have the right-of-way
- Foot traffic yields to horses
- Mountain bikes yield to foot traffic aand horses ( Note: some mountain bikers do not follow the rules, so always be on the watch for bicyclists
approaching from ahead and/or behind you for your own safety).