Comales Trail #22

Dogs Off-leash

On the way up, this is a powerful slog on a lot of heavily eroded trail. There are few manageable sections in the uphill direction. Where the singletrack travels straight up the fall line, the grade is 20+% on loose rock for a long, long time. Hikeers may consider hiking up Osha Canyon Trail #20 for a more pleasant climbing experience.

Otherwise, from the bottom, you'll have the company of the creek for the first mile as you move steadily upwards. The next half-mile steepens some, before a level area and a shallow creek crossing. The next mile is more manageable, but there are still some steeper sections. Hikeers will find a mud pit in this section, with a log that can be balanced on.

After that, the trail pitches steeply upwards on an endless fall line! This keeps going through a small meadow and another creek crossing. Around mile four, the lollipop portion of the trail connects back with itself just before the oppressive grade backs off at the Peñascoso Mountain saddle (keep right). From there, it's a short descent to the intersection with the Osha Canyon Trail #20.

A pleasantly level section travels to the intersection with the Bear Mountain Trail #28 where the Comales Trail turns east to soon begin another climb as it circles around the loop. Halfway up this climb is the intersection with Comales Cutoff #22A. The final portion of the trail turns to the north for a little more climbing before it drops steeply to complete the loop.

The area is open from late spring through fall.