FREE: Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hike
Join us to raise awareness about the high rates of suicide among veterans.
Join us for a fun, non-competitive hike! It is completely FREE for all participants. Show up in solidarity for our veterans!
We'll have two marked routes to choose from: a 1-mile course or a 5K (3.1 miles) course, which both start at 8:30am (see course details, below). Hikers on either trail can do as many laps as they want and can hike weighted or unweighted. Neither course is ADA accessible, but the 1-mile route is wheel-friendly. Organizations that provide support for veterans and their mental health and well being will be on-hand. This event is rain or shine. No pre-registration is required.
When: Saturday, September 20th at 8:30AM
Where: Meet at Park HQ
Who is invited: Everybody! This hike is open to all members of the public, all ages, and all abilities. Children under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Rucking is welcome but not required. If you are rucking, please provide your own weighted ruck. If you'd like to weigh down your ruck with non-perishable food items, you can donate those items to the Caldwell County Food Bank at the end of the event (this fabulous organization is particularly interested in receiving non-expired protein items, like peanut butter, canned beans, & canned meat, or canned fruits and veggies).
Prepare: Dress for hiking outdoors. Sturdy shoes and bug repellent are recommended. Bring at least 2 liters of water per person. We will have water stations at the 1-mile, 2-mile, and 2.5-mile markers for refills.
We also encourage you to bring flags or wear memorabilia, if desired.
Check-in: Please come to Park HQ between 7:45am - 8:15am to check-in. Please arrive early, carpool, and park your vehicle at Park HQ or in the day use area. Extra restrooms will be available at the pool house. 
Course: The hikes will start just west of our park headquarters building. Participants will follow the paved cart paths of the golf course until they approach Park Road 10. At the road, folks participating in the 1-mile event will turn around and follow the cart path back to the headquarters building. Folks participating in the 5k event will turn right up Park Road 10 and then turn left onto Chisholm Trail. The 5k course will follow Chisholm Trail, Fence Line Trail, Creekview Trail, Hilltop Trail, and Comanche Loop before retracing its steps. The finish line is the same as the starting line for both routes. Both courses will be well-marked, and an information booth will be on hand at the starting line for participants who have questions. Trails do contain narrow, rocky, and steep areas, so participants are advised to use caution. There will be water stations at the 1-mile, 2-mile, and 2.5-mile markers. Spectators are welcome to watch the event from the starting line or from the Creekview Trailhead (at the end of the paved loop in the park).
Veterans & Active Duty Military: Check out our Parklands Passports, which provide you with free entry to all Texas State Parks. You can bring your documentation and register for your passport in Park HQ at any time.
If ADA assistance is required, please request modifications using this form, or email accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov at least 2 weeks in advance. We will have 3 grit chairs available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.