Texas - Campion Trail, Irving

I figured I'd go check out the Campion Trail over in Los Collinas (part of Irving, TX). Looking online just now, I see there is an "Elm Fork Trail Section" which is what I was on, and a "West Fork" section which is not connected.

I parked at the DART park-and-ride at 348 and O Connor, which is sort of the middle of the trail, rode to the north end, wandered around on some roads, got back on the trail, rode to the north end again, then went to the south end, went a ways on Riverside, then back to the park-n-ride.

On the north end, the trail ends at a park north of 635 and south of Valley view lane. The trail has actually been built farther north, but is not open yet. The trail is obvious on Google aerial photos, but the new part isn't shown on them.
The south end of the trail is on Riverside Drive, where Las Colinas Blvd runs into it.

The trail sign at 348, which is near the south end:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion1.jpg


Starting down the trail at the north end:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion2.jpg


One of the river overlooks:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion3.jpg


It was a gorgeous day, but there were still very few people out- here's one of maybe 20 cyclist I met along the way:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion4.jpg


The trail winding south:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion5.jpg


There are some more open parts:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion6.jpg


I don't know an elm from an apricot, but this sign says it's an elm, so it must be. "State champion" just means it's the largest of that species known in the state. It's not like a contest at the state fair or anything.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion7.jpg


http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion8.jpg


Some birds spotted along the way. I think these are cormorants, but I'm not a bird expert, either, and didn't bother digging the bird book out.
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion9.jpg


I scared up a heron near the south end, and this is where he flew to:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion10.jpg

I followed RIverside for a ways past the end of the trail, and found this statue, I believe of John Carpenter, for whom the freeway is named:
http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z172/stephenhazelton/CampionTrail/Campion11.jpg


I'm not sure of the total length of the trail, maybe 5 miles? I got in 17.5 miles, but part of that was on roads rather than the trail. The trail is wide, smooth, low traffic, would be great for kids to ride on, and mostly level.

LBH off road trail is near the south end as well, just turn east off the trail on California crossing, the 1st parking lot on your right is the trail head. Its a mile loop, that a cross, or MTB can ride.

The Nroth end loop is schedueld to be open mid Nov. should add another 3 miles RT.

The total trail will be 22 miles once complete in ~2015?

John carpenter looks like he's about to mount that bike. You didn't see a big giant turtle over there with "FRED" painted on his back, did you? My kids let him go over there about 5 years ago. My wife and I rode that trail on about our first date - I had to see how she looked in some bike pants and see if she could ride a bike. Important stuff. She did good, but it's been down hill ever snce!

The trail is currently around 7 miles, so 22 miles by 2015 would be nice.