Texas - Chaparral Trail- Farmersville to Paris

Anyone know anything about the current status of this trail?

According to this link:
http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrailPhotos.aspx?AcctID=6032398
The trail starts at Farmersville, is real nice, then sort of peters out after a couple of miles.

The reason I ask, is I just drove through Celeste, and it looked like a paved trail through there. Surely it's not paved the whole way? Or is it just a mile or two around Celeste that is fixed up nice?

Loks like an awfully nice trail head for just a couple of miles of trail. Most likely its gravel after you get out of "town".

I really need an old rigid frame, eyelt equipped MTB.

This trail sound GREAT!!!! I wonder how much of it is done? Does anyone have more news?

Well, Farmersville is only 13 miles away. Some investigation may be inorder.

Well, Farmersville is only 13 miles away. Some investigation may be inorder.
'Nuff said!

Got to leave work this afternoon after all!
Sue and I drove out to the Trail head and reconnoitered.
The trail is apparently open with none of the problems posted in the comments of the website in evidence.
The paved section extends for 2.5 miles. We went out 3.7 miles and had to return as the sun was going down. The trail looked like it went on straight forever.

First Cement
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWARmh5Ew1I/AAAAAAAAABY/0v4kJDz0N5A/s512/Chaporral%20Trail%20Farmerville%20002.jpg

Then Asphalt
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWARms7JXWI/AAAAAAAAABg/qs2uvq1maj4/s512/Chaporral%20Trail2asphalt.jpg

And cement again
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWARnfU1hdI/AAAAAAAAABo/BTNvf0ioRUI/s720/Chaporral%20Trail3cement.jpg

From there it is Rock
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWARn0RBECI/AAAAAAAAABw/_iImY9RNZ5M/s576/Chaporral%20Trailrock.jpg

And Dirt
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWARoA3f7bI/AAAAAAAAAB4/SRp8-vgkhCM/s640/Chaporral%20Traildirt.jpg

A local Horse rider said she's personally ridden up to The Old Merit Schoolhouse...and believes the trail is open further. I may drive to merit next Friday, if the weather holds, and spend the day riding from there to see how far it will take me. (I should be able to make more than the 8.3 mph avg we did today)
I'll put on the knobby tires for that section though. My High pressure slicks were OK, but I'd feel better with a little more traction and cushion.
(Front suspension could be nice too...but even without it the path was better than chipseal ANY day!)

Sight lines are limited by the cut for the train, but you get occasional glimpses of goodness.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWASKZeMKLI/AAAAAAAAACE/SaajaGrHQbU/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20horses.jpg

And just to prove I was really there and to have something to post as a semi-before picture.
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWASKlbohII/AAAAAAAAACU/plDmFZGnXmk/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20Farmerville%20013.jpg
A picture of moi and the geeked out Hardrock (my commuter)

Oh...It's over 19 miles from Wylie.:p

Just Logged this on Map My Ride:

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/tx/farmersville/437254793617

Cool! Thanks for exploring this out more!

Thanks for finding the trail!

It must be one of the best kept secrets in the nation.

Perhaps an undisclosed location where Cheney likes to hang out?
hm........

Thanks for finding the trail!

It must be one of the best kept secrets in the nation.

Perhaps an undisclosed location where Cheney likes to hang out?
hm........

So long as he is on a bike and isn't hunting, I'm ok with that, lol.

The question now becomes where do we get a map of the trail to figure out distances and places of interest.

So long as he is on a bike and isn't hunting, I'm ok with that, lol.

The question now becomes where do we get a map of the trail to figure out distances and places of interest.

Haven't found an official trail map...the Traillink page
http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6032398
Is looking for people with GPS uploading and mapping capability to submit data as well as marking trail heads, drinking water access, toilet facilities etc.

I've started mapping the ride on Map My Ride (link to what I've done so far above)
Basically turn the map on "hybrid" and follow the cut for the tracks from Farmersville to Paris.

Haven't found an official trail map...the Traillink page
http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6032398
Is looking for people with GPS uploading and mapping capability to submit data as well as marking trail heads, drinking water access, toilet facilities etc.

I've started mapping the ride on Map My Ride (link to what I've done so far above)
Basically turn the map on "hybrid" and follow the cut for the tracks from Farmersville to Paris.

You can actually see the tracks without going to Hybrid mode. It shows the tracks...but they're not there anymore ...just the bed.

So...using Google Earth street view, where the old tracks cross the roads, it looks like the tracks are picked up until Paris, where the abandoned tracks are still in place.

I'd be interested to know how deep the gravel is along the unimproved sections.

I have ridden one of these rails/trails things in East Texas and it was very rideable on a mountain bike or even a hybrid.

In Celeste for example, it's paved:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.295238,-96.191826&spn=0,359.945068&z=14&layer=c&cbll=33.295343,-96.191813&panoid=i_8TCkJD4xr6QHXfHm2yMw&cbp=12,227.17015326308603,,0,-2.3934840231720717

But then outside of town it goes down to doubletrack:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.313459,-96.164446&spn=0,359.945068&z=14&layer=c&cbll=33.313393,-96.164414&panoid=ZfEXAAdKSPaRSGunxC_xRg&cbp=12,51.96994928111758,,0,11.623329437424983

Wolfe City:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.373904,-96.066771&spn=0.017059,0.054932&z=14&layer=c&cbll=33.37392,-96.066738&panoid=xuKTrxwr2mJWOIqHO59Jrw&cbp=11,66.3311127296904,,0,0.19859756633253012

Ladonia:

http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=33.422444,-95.950648&spn=0,359.945068&z=14&layer=c&cbll=33.422342,-95.950634&panoid=S6OvkdssF8AutgoXOYdGvg&cbp=12,67.1650221609002,,0,18.862782543447643

Etc. Etc. Etc.

I was wondering if there might be bridges or trestles out along the way.

The link mentioned the total distance would be 56 miles one way when completed?

I'll be systematically trying to take each section when I can to report on conditions.
next section will be from Merit

I'll be systematically trying to take each section when I can to report on conditions.
next section will be from Merit


I ride often from Dallas to Murphy/Wylie/Farmersville. It would not be too much of a stretch really to ride up to Paris and make a long day of it. What would that be, about 150 miles or so round trip?

I ride often from Dallas to Murphy/Wylie/Farmersville. It would not be too much of a stretch really to ride up to Paris and make a long day of it. What would that be, about 150 miles or so round trip?

You're a better man than me, lol. I could conceivably make it from Farmersville to Paris, although I don't have much expereince riding on lose terrain so I'm guessing at the required energy out put.

I get my Garmin eTex Legend HcX tomorrow if the tracking number speaks the truth. I don't currently have a bike set up for this, but I might be able to put some cross tires on my tourer. I really need a rigid framed MTB....

I get my Garmin eTex Legend HcX tomorrow if the tracking number speaks the truth. I don't currently have a bike set up for this, but I might be able to put some cross tires on my tourer. I really need a rigid framed MTB....


I'm interested to see what you can come up with!

Sometimes I ride from White Rock Lake up to the Oklahoma border and back. This would be a little more distance and would give me the chance to ride a mountain bike versus a road bike. Last year I rode from Dallas to Austin(and back) and Dallas to Nacogdoches(and back on a mountain bike) but not all in one day. I think Dallas-Paris and back would be a solid all day ride. Assuming the gravel is not super deep.

You're a better man than me, lol. I could conceivably make it from Farmersville to Paris, although I don't have much expereince riding on lose terrain so I'm guessing at the required energy out put.

I get my Garmin eTex Legend HcX tomorrow if the tracking number speaks the truth. I don't currently have a bike set up for this, but I might be able to put some cross tires on my tourer. I really need a rigid framed MTB....

no need to beat up your touring rig....I'd be willing to loan you the Trek with the trekking bars as soon as I get some cyclocross tires on it.
Hey, it'd be for a good cause!

I ride often from Dallas to Murphy/Wylie/Farmersville. It would not be too much of a stretch really to ride up to Paris and make a long day of it. What would that be, about 150 miles or so round trip?

Is there a category for off road randonee?

Is there a category for off road randonee?


Endurance racing would be the equivalent. I do the Leadville 100 almost every year. So high mileage flat stuff does not bother me too much. I did 140 miles saturday on my mtb around Dallas riding many of the DORBA trails. I split my time between New Mexico and Texas, so I have to take advantage of the great winter weather here in Texas!

This trail/ROW interests me because I could incorporate it into part of a regular route I have.

I'm interested to see if the ROW for the tracks is not blocked somewhere by barbed wire fencing or some obstacle that cannot be hiked around. One of those deals where if the State does not maintain the ROW, farmers/ranchers kind of land grab it for themselves. There are alot of peckerhead rural people living up that way. Cool thing is I would not have to worry about them running me over.

no need to beat up your touring rig....I'd be willing to loan you the Trek with the trekking bars as soon as I get some cyclocross tires on it.
Hey, it'd be for a good cause!

Cool! We should pick a day to see how far we can get. I think our problem may be in days that coincide with each other, lol. I would be up for chipping on on the cross tires, or buying some heavy duty tubes for rental considerations!

I read the comments on the trail site about man made brush blockages/baricades. I'm not adverse to moving some of those out of the way as long as it doens't include downed trees or getting shot, lol.

I've got some soccer tournament and college recruiting visit obligations for the next two or three weekends, but I'll see what I can work out for the last weekend of the month.

Cool! We should pick a day to see how far we can get. I think our problem may be in days that coincide with each other, lol. I would be up for chipping on on the cross tires, or buying some heavy duty tubes for rental considerations!

I read the comments on the trail site about man made brush blockages/baricades. I'm not adverse to moving some of those out of the way as long as it doens't include downed trees or getting shot, lol.

I've got some soccer tournament and college recruiting visit obligations for the next two or three weekends, but I'll see what I can work out for the last weekend of the month.

No worries about the Tires and tubes...I'll be picking some up tomorrow, since it will be pretty much a bust as for as riding goes. While I'm at it I may mount the tires on the 40 spoke rims.....:D

Got any tire recommendations?

No worries about the Tires and tubes...I'll be picking some up tomorrow, since it will be pretty much a bust as for as riding goes. While I'm at it I may mount the tires on the 40 spoke rims.....:D

Got any tire recommendations?

I have no experience with cross tires. That being said, my favorite tire is always the one on sale, lol.

No worries about the Tires and tubes...I'll be picking some up tomorrow, since it will be pretty much a bust as for as riding goes. While I'm at it I may mount the tires on the 40 spoke rims.....:D

Got any tire recommendations?

Ritchey Speedmax(35s) and Kenda Kwick. These are my favorites as long as there is no mud involved, I have had no luck with thorn resistant tubes in the wider widths and they are difficult to find always seem to break at the valve.

Endurance racing would be the equivalent. I do the Leadville 100 almost every year. So high mileage flat stuff does not bother me too much. I did 140 miles saturday on my mtb around Dallas riding many of the DORBA trails. I split my time between New Mexico and Texas, so I have to take advantage of the great winter weather here in Texas!

This trail/ROW interests me because I could incorporate it into part of a regular route I have.

I'm interested to see if the ROW for the tracks is not blocked somewhere by barbed wire fencing or some obstacle that cannot be hiked around. One of those deals where if the State does not maintain the ROW, farmers/ranchers kind of land grab it for themselves. There are alot of peckerhead rural people living up that way. Cool thing is I would not have to worry about them running me over.

Wow!
I grew up around that area (Crested Butte, McClure pass, etc.) Must account for my freakish lung capacity.
When I moved to Texas 25 years ago I was dizzy all the time (turned out I was hyperventilating):lol:
If you are bombing around up there, I can see how the Chaparral would be no problem!

I wonder if one did find barbed wire or other obstacles...if the state would be supportive in maintaining ROW?
And it would definitely be cool to have a 65 mile ride where you didn't have to put up with teh drivers.

hey thanks for the tip on the trail.

just fyi, there's another trail way on the West side of DFW - it goes from Weatherford to Mineral Wells, about 50 mile out n back.

"The Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway begins northwest of Weatherford and travels 20 miles westward to downtown Mineral Wells: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lakemine/lakemine.htm#trailway (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lakemine/lakemine.htm#trailway)"

Been there, done that, look for the other thread on the topic.

hey thanks for the tip on the trail.

just fyi, there's another trail way on the West side of DFW - it goes from Weatherford to Mineral Wells, about 50 mile out n back.

"The Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway begins northwest of Weatherford and travels 20 miles westward to downtown Mineral Wells: www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lakemine/lakemine.htm#trailway (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lakemine/lakemine.htm#trailway)"

Ah, but you see...the lure of this trail is that it is not well known/promoted, less busy, and for those of us N and E of Dallas....it's closer. The promise of a new, long, rustic, and fairly unknown and ride is a buzz.

Ok...I had an epic fail for today.
I had planned on driving to Merit and continuing on to Celeste, but when I got past the School (where the path was still OK-ish) I drove to where I'd planned to start:

South of 36
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgFMr70ndI/AAAAAAAAAFM/j_fJME_rR0o/s512/Chaporral%20Trail%20South%20of%2036%20Merit.jpg

Annnd North of 36:
(that's the trail to the left of the semi-trailer)
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgFMRTghEI/AAAAAAAAAFE/YSmrVSr5uHc/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20North%20of%2036%20merit.jpg

I drove on...a much better idea after reaching the school would be to get on the road until you get to the Merit Cemetery (trail is on the west side of the road):
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgFL36U7RI/AAAAAAAAAE8/mPeRUxDCUTw/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20from%20Merit%20Cemetery.jpg

Still...I decided to drive on to Celeste, since the wind was blowing hard from the south. (I'd rather have the tailwind at the end of the ride)

After the pavement ends 1/2 mile to the south of Celeste. you will hit the nasty hard packed sand and weeds:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgEt0AQkbI/AAAAAAAAAEo/gLE_DbXyaEQ/s512/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%20South%20half%20mile.jpg

Ruff to pedal through.
Then you will hit 2 bridges that must be walked within a short distance of each other:
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgEtr8BvtI/AAAAAAAAAEg/1qs0xCqOl24/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%20south%20first%20bridge.jpg

[/URL]163750

Thank God the path turns more rocky and actual dirt ofter that:
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgEs_plzWI/AAAAAAAAAEY/sj0vfTF9yWs/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%20south%20EZer%20going.jpg

and scenery:
[URL]http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgEumHLzvI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ZMUktghvJiA/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%20south%20red%20barn.jpg (http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgD2DCkKCI/AAAAAAAAADs/vLfEFgDc4WU/s512/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%202nd%20bridge%20B.jpg)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgD337qdfI/AAAAAAAAAEE/e2SqjHqVB-s/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%20S%20Bovine.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hjk-KjFgGfk/SWgEsbmgCCI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/8WSUgS0UGps/s640/Chaporral%20Trail%20Celeste%20Silo.jpg

I managed to get 3.1 miles south before the legs started getting tired enough to turn around.
Part of the problem had to do with the slicks I hadn't changed off the bike...but the sand....!!!

The other things worth mentioning, are the (wheel swallowing) cracks in the asphalt trail North of the Parking area and sometimes found in the dirt/packed sand a couple places to the south.

I managed to do the 6.47 Miles in Just over an hour and the legs won't be talking to me for awhile.
All in all this part of the trail is a FAIL.

Thanks for the report on your exploration of the Chaparral Trail. Sorry to hear that the trail didn't turn out to be a better ride.

I might try the trail myself in a week or two, starting in Farmersville, and see how far I can go. If I do, I post my own report.

You should be able to make it at least to the Merit"s School. Just have the wide knobbies on!

So what's the best hope/estimate for how far you get from Farmersville toward Paris if the ground is dry?

you should probably be able to get through at least to Celeste, from what I've seen

Hey, it has been over a year and a half since anyone posted on this Chaparral Trail thread. Anyone out there have a current update regarding the condition/rideability of the trail? At almost 60 miles in length from Farmersville to Paris, this thing could be pretty epic. Has it been extended all the way to Paris? The info on TrailLink.com appears to be somewhat out of date too---not even a map (Although BF'er rjschirmer put one on MapMyRide.com). There is some Google info about a right-of-way lawsuit getting settled late last year, so maybe that helped move it along?

Yep, I can go check it out myself, and probably will, just asking for tips/info first. In particular, I wonder if anyone has done the entire length, and what sorts of good recharging/restocking options exist along the way. Thanks!

No updates here. But for what it's worth, the city of Paris recently opened a new bike trail through town. I don't know if it's a continuation of this one. I think it was being presented as more of a city trail, not a trail-to-Wylie type thing.

Edit: Found this, the Paris trail is a local 3-mile trail, but it is also a rails-to-trail: http://www.traillink.com/trail/trail-de-paris.aspx

Thanks StephenH. I checked out the Trail De Paris site, and found an even better map. See the attached link, which should take you to a map illustrating the "Red River Valley Trail" a very long (140 miles??) trail from Framersville to New Boston. This trail includes the Chaparral Trail, the Trail de Paris, and other segments. While it looks like several segments are only proposed at this point, the overall story of a long city-to-city MTB trail is getting more and more interesting.

http://www.traildeparis.org/userFiles/380/tiger_map.pdf

I went down the trail just yesterday! it's paved for about 5 miles from farmersville headed north... then it turns to gravel, and eventually it turns to dirt. I only went 8 miles (about to Merit) but it's a good trail with awesome country scenery!

I wonder if they ever got all the property easements ironed out? That issue was somewhat murky awhile back.

Might be a great time to ride it. With the very dry weather it would be easy to ride.

I wonder if they ever got all the property easements ironed out? That issue was somewhat murky awhile back.

Might be a great time to ride it. With the very dry weather it would be easy to ride.

http://chaparralrailtrailsettlement.com

I've been riding it every Saturday for the last 3 weeks and it's dry as a bone right now... I've gone about 5 miles past Merit and the trail is good... will try and make it to celeste this weekend.

I've been riding it every Saturday for the last 3 weeks and it's dry as a bone right now... I've gone about 5 miles past Merit and the trail is good... will try and make it to celeste this weekend.

Let us know how that went. What is the approximate distance and travel time from Farmersville to Celeste? And is there a good spot in Celeste to refuel? Thanks, have a good ride!

trail is still dry, even after the recent rains... went with 2 buddies over the past weekend. about 12 miles in the poison Ivy went WILD! deep and thick, healthy lookin;' juicy type... lol.. celeste does have a little store to refuel.

At approximately 31 miles of rough/overgrown gravel terrain, Farmersville to Ladonia on the Chaparral Trail represents a good length for a quick out and back, overnight MTB trip. A riding buddy and I tackled this trip on September 24/25, and enjoyed a good adventure. Highlights included seeing small-town Texas up close (Farmersville, Meritt, Celeste, Wolfe City, and Ladonia), and a strong sense of pioneering, given the relatively overgrown state of much of the trail. Our overnight stay in Ladonia revealed an unexpected tiny gem of a town, with two good restaurants, a great rustic lodge, and even a visit from the Mayor!

During the planning stage, the first question was where to stay in Ladonia. A Google search turned up no nearby hotels, but I came across Rick Barrett (barrett.rick@sbcglobal.net) and his Ladonia Lodge thru a Yahoo users group. This 6-bedroom lodge is located at the edge of "Downtown" Ladonia, and was absolutely perfect for our needs.

The internet also revealed the presence of two restaurants in Ladonia, but I could not have hoped for the quality we experienced. Dinner on Saturday night was at Fat Boy's BBQ (www.fatboysb-b-q.com (http://www.fatboysb-b-q.com)). We arrived a little beat, but were revived by great ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, as well as the unique treat of fried corn-on-the-cob. But get there early---Fat Boy's closes at 5pm on Saturdays. It is also BYOB, but the local gas station can stock you in that department. Breakfast on Sunday was at Gloria's Kitchen, clearly a local institution. Even Ladonia Mayor Jan Cooper showed up---and she had heard a few intrepid cyclists were in town.

Be forewarned----some sections of the trail are woefully unkempt and overgrown. The worst sections were rideable, but barely. And yes, there are clearly man-made obstacles---trenches and mounds that deter use and basic maintenance. However, the locals to whom we spoke along the way were very friendly and enthusiastic, and some (including Mr. Barrett) even pledged to push their localities to improve the upkeep. Bottom line: The more we use the Chaparral Trail, the better it will get!

220710220711220712220713220714

Thanks for the update and the photos. Did you have to take any detours or cross any barbed wire fences along the way? How many creekbottoms did you have to cross?

Thanks for the update and the photos. Did you have to take any detours or cross any barbed wire fences along the way? How many creekbottoms did you have to cross?

We did take to the paved road between Wolfe City and Ladonia, so I can't vouch for that portion. Otherwise, all the creeks had passable bridges, and we saw no barbed wire---just a few trenches. It is rideable, just needs more use! I plan to try the section between Ladonia and Paris this Fall.

My biggest question/wait has been when can one go from Farmersville to Paris. Heck, I'll even add a bike for that!

Would a CX bike handle it or do you recommend an MTB?

I'd say, from some of the areas I rode, you'd want the mountain bike (or 29er) with some wide tires.

MTB with wide knobbies and front suspension is the way to go. The gravel is rough, not finely crushed like at Lake Mineral Wells Trailway.

This is cool, I am in the process of planning a long bike pack tour from Dallas to Lansing Mi, and want to do as much "off road" as possible, looks like this will be my starting off road section, then up through AK and Mo to the Katy. Got a lot more reasurch to do. I will most likley do some single track as well. There are some good point to point in AK and Mo I have seen.

Just FYI...AK= Alaska, AR = Arkansas...that might save you some confusion down the road...

Well Stephen....maybe he wants to take the loooong way. :D

Tate, That sounds like a new and wonderful adventure. If you manage it, we expect updates and pics.