Take a spring amble on the newly restored Ned and Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail. A highlight of early spring is the blooming season for Texas buckeyes (Aesculus glabra var. arguta) with their conical clusters of fragrant yellow-ivory flowers. The slight understory tree with a slender trunk and branches is a sub-species of the more famous Ohio buckeye, being more compact with greater heat tolerance, though it often sheds leaves in summer.
These hikes will fill, so reserve soon here.
Hike tips: The 2.4-mile walk is often muddy. Sturdy hiking boots or well-fitting galoshes are strongly recommended. Hiking sticks are very helpful. Bug spray is essential. Bring a change of shoes for the ride home. A large towel can help prevent mud from your pants legs from dirtying the car seats.
This grove next to the Trinity River was discovered in the early ’70s by eminent environmentalist Ned Fritz as he was identifying natural areas that would be destroyed by plans for a Trinity barge canal. During the process of fighting the canal, the name Great Trinity Forest arose. After defeating canal plans, Fritz led very popular and famously muddy annual walks to see the blooms. Over time, a series of soft-surface trails were created. In 2019, the trails were officially named the Ned and Genie Fritz Texas Buckeye Trail. For more on Ned and Genie, check out Ned in a Nutshell.
March 25 Sat: 10 am to noon (FULL)
<> leader: Bob Richie – Learn about edible and medicinal plants found in the Great Trinity Forest.
<> co-leader: Caleb Hinojos – Discover the biology of birds and reptiles.
March 26 Sun: 2:30 to 4:30 pm (2 spots left)
<> leader: Kristi Kerr Leonard – Great Trinity Forest naturalist wonders, trail restoration, and Ned Fritz Legacy.
<> co-leaders: Eileen Fritz McKee and Michael McKee – Tales of Fritz family nature excursions.
April 1 Sat: 10 am to noon
<> leader: Richard Grayson – Gain crucial insight into the Trinity River and its plight.
<> co-leader: Michael McKee – Tales of Fritz family nature excursions.
April 2 Sun: 2:30 to 4:30 pm
<> leader: Amy Martin – The legacy of Ned and Genie Fritz, and Trinity River history and ecology.
<> co-leader: Frankie Vaca – Discovering wonder in nature.
April 8 Sat: 10 am to noon
<> leader: Kristi Kerr Leonard – Great Trinity Forest naturalist wonders, trail restoration, and Ned Fritz Legacy.
<> co-leader: Michael McKee – Tales of Fritz family nature excursions.
April 9 Sun: 2:30 to 4:30 pm
<> leader: Tim Gibson – Great Trinity Forest flora, fauna, and ecology.
<> co-leader: Amy Martin – The legacy of Ned and Genie Fritz, and Trinity River history and ecology.
In cooperation with North Texas Master Naturalists and Ned Fritz Legacy. Trail restoration support provided by Trinity Coalition.
Photo of Eileen Fritz McKee, daughter of Ned and Genie, by Jennifer Weisensel from Wild DFW: Explore the Amazing Nature Around Dallas-Fort Worth (Timber Press Aug. 29, 2023).
