October 16, 2021
Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit
Buggy Whip Trail System – Lonesome Dove Loop
Saturday morning, 7 a.m., all was quiet except for the sound of the birds cawing to each other in the skies above our tent. What a relief…no wind to be heard.
We had arrived at Cooper Lake after dark the night before to tent camp, and although we couldn’t fully see it in the dark, we knew we had a pristine site in a cul-de-sac right on the lake. But when we arrived that night, the wind was blowing in gale force ready to wrestle us and our gear to the ground if we weren’t careful. We manhandled the tent and got it up, but the campfire was a bit persnickety. We eventually got that going too, but with the wind whipping at our bodies, we soon gave up and headed to the comfort of our 1 inch sleeping pads and bags inside our tent. With this wind, what on earth would the next day bring?
But as we opened the fly on Saturday morning and took our first peak at the view, we knew it would be a perfect day for hiking. Blue skies, very few clouds, cool temps. Ahh, we were ready to hit the trails after a cup of coffee and breakfast of bacon and muffins. I had forgotten the eggs, but oh well.
We packed a few sandwiches and snacks, filled up our water backpacks, and drove to the trailhead called Little Bluestem Loop. This is an equestrian and hiking trail, and the trailhead begins in the equestrian camping section of the park. The camping area was pretty full, and we were a bit worried the trail would be packed with horses and people. But as we made our way on trail and headed away from the camping area, we escaped both horses and people and headed out into serenity.
So, now to the good stuff. The trail, our joyful place. This was a pretty heavily treed trail, and it didn’t look like it had been used much in some places, as it was overgrown here and there. But the trail was well-marked. We were only on the Little Bluestem for a short distance before we hooked up to the Lonesome Dove Loop (red trail), and we were pretty far away from anything at that point. We saw neither horse nor man. We couldn’t have asked for a more peaceful day as we enjoyed the clear blue skies and the dirt trail in front of us, never knowing what would be around each bend. The trail itself, although considered moderate/challenging by the park trail map, really seemed pretty easy for the most part to us. It was relatively flat, with a few ups and downs into dry creeks. We did have a wonderful view of Cooper Lake once we hit the farthest end of the Lonesome Dove, and we stopped there to have our sandwiches and chips before heading on. As we made our way back, it was only then that we encountered two young men hiking in the opposite direction. Two hours and thirty minutes later, we were back at the trailhead, tired but full in so many unexpected ways. Full of wonder for the trail and the miles we had just completed, full of heart for our time together just “to be,” full of gratitude for the perfect weather for the perfect hike on the perfect day. Just full.
Reflecting back, I think I have to say that this trail was the beginning of a rediscovery for us. I say rediscovery because what we found on this day wasn’t new, it was just somewhat forgotten over the years as we navigated a life of busyness raising a family. On this trail we rediscovered the simple things, like animal tracks imprinted in the dirt, light shining in certain ways through the trees, shapes of leaves, the sounds of the trees swaying gently, and then…the sound of no sound at all. This trail was our first on a camping trip with just the two of us, as we had become empty nesters only two months before. We always knew we loved to hike, but this trail deepened that love. It reminded us that it was ok to just be together without all the noise of the outside world. We didn’t discuss anything serious or have any long talks, and that was absolutely o.k. Sometimes, you can say so much more to your partner by just allowing the silence and the beauty around you to envelop the moment. Just sharing the trail together means you are sharing everything in that moment, quietly. In the busy, crazy world we live in today, couples don’t take the time to do that often enough.
So…this first trail at Cooper Lake will always have a special place in my heart. It is where I rediscovered the need to do this with my partner again, and again, and again. I knew I was definitely ready to be back on trail as soon as possible, and my husband felt the same way. And so, the next day…that is exactly where we headed!
To learn more about the trails at Cooper Lake State Park, click on our Trails tab.
