White Oak Bayou Trail -- TC Jester Blvd, . 11th Pinemont Gay Houston Cruising Areas

White Oak Bayou Trail -- TC Jester Blvd

areas

W. 11th to Pinemont

Is This Your Business?

This is perhaps the city's finest hike and bike trail and is somewhat underutilized by the natives. It winds its way for 5 miles on the east side of lovely (and heavily concreted) White Oak Bayou both inside and outside the Loop -- from W. 11th Street in the south to Pinemonet Dr. in the north. Along the way, it crosses under TC Jester Blvd., under W. 18th St., over Ella Blvd., under Loop 610 North, over W. 43rd, under TC Jester again, and over W. 43rd St. This is a nicely maintained, 12' wide concrete/asphalt path great for biking, jogging or walking. It's not the Rocky Mountains or Pacific Coastline but it is the best of what we have.

Note that it is not located along a particularly gay area, nor is there any specific single crusing spot. But it is a great place to meet up in the outdoors with someone who preferrably has a place nearby. If not, there are multiple somewhat isolated wooded tracts that offer potential (see below). It's Houston, so keep in mind -- it will be hot much of the year; bug spray may be desired; and heavy rains will cause obstacles. And pick up your trash!

Neighbourhood: Oak Forest, Lazybrook, Timbergrove

There are 3 parking lots, as well as countless side streets with unmetered, legal street parking --
(1) Free City lot at skate park -- just north of W. 43rd off Watanga (west side of bayou)(2) Free City lot at swimming pool -- between W. 34th and W. 43rd Steets (east side of bayou)
(3) Commercial lot at strip shopping mall at W. 18th (near Ella). As a bonus, there is a nice bike shop in this center.

Directions:There are 3 parking lots, as well as countless side streets with unmetered, legal street parking --
(1) Free City lot at skate park -- just north of W. 43rd off Watanga (west side of bayou)(2) Free City lot at swimming pool -- between W. 34th and W. 43rd Steets (east side of bayou)
(3) Commercial lot at strip shopping mall at W. 18th (near Ella). As a bonus, there is a nice bike shop in this center.
Hours:The bike path is lit.
Cruising Info/ Tips:The best idea is set to meet someone who has a place in the area. In addition there are mutliple potential spots for an outdoor rendevouz hidden by dense foliage. From north to south, they are ---
(a) Thick wooded tract beside skate park parking lot, just north of W. 43rd. Turn onto Watanga. West side of bayou.
(b) Small, thickly wooded tract just south of 43rd, west side of bayou
(c) Long, thickly wooded tract on west side of bayou north of RR tracks and south of swimming pool area. This spot may offer the best stealth overall as its a dense and large area. However, parking is almost non-existant. Enter from Watanga side at bayou tributary. If someone has a better idea, perhaps you could update.
(d) Small wooded tract just south of RR tracks on east side of bayou (north of 34th and west of TC Jester)
(e) Several smaller wooded areas between W. 11th and W. 18th on the west side of the bayou (the side side opposite the concrete path). There is an old asphalt path for part of it, dirt trail for the other. There is a foot/bike bridge that allows bayou crossover just north of 11th.
Nudity / Policy:No. Keep in mind this is part of the city park system with families and singles on bikes, rollerblades, with strollers and on foot.
Wheelchair Accessible:No / Path can handle a chair
Warnings:(1) Avoid any activity around the swimming pool area entirely, except to park. This is most crwoded area of this trail. Besides the pool, there is a kids area, frisbee golf course, softball/soccer fields and a workout station with pull up bars.

(2) Avoid the new park at W. 11th. Too many moms with strollers thoughout.