Four C Hiking Trail - Hiking trail near Lufkin, Texas, United States - Description

The Four C National Recreation Trail leads hikers through part of the Davy Crockett National Forest. This 20-mile-long trail begins at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area and ends at the Neches Bluff Overlook.

Named for the Central Coal and Coke Company, which logged virgin timber in the area, the Four C Trail follows some abandoned tramways built by that company. The area around the trail is a forest that grew after the company completed its logging operation in the early 1920's. Its sawmill was located at Ratcliff Lake, which served as a log pond.

Ratcliff Lake is now a developed recreation area with 77 camping units (27 with electrical hookups), 17 picnic units, swimming beach, bathhouse, cold showers, boating (no motors), fishing piers (barrier-free sidewalks), wildlife viewing area, amphitheater.

Except for a 1-mile segment through privately owned timberlands, the Four C Trail stays on national forest land. The trail, marked with white rectangular tags on trees, is easy to follow. The hiker may enjoy a variety of aesthetic and educational experiences through pines, bottomland hardwoods, boggy sloughs, and upland forests. Both old and young trees representing second-and third-growth forests grow along the trail.

A portion of the trail traverses the Big Slough Wilderness Area. This area is free of modern development and gives the visitor a place for solitude and primitive experiences.

The trail passes along or close to man-made ponds that may have catchable fish and continues to the scenic overlook at Neches Bluff, offering a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests above the Neches River bottomland.

The Walnut Creek Campsite is located on a small ridgetop near Walnut Creek about midway on the trail. There are five tent pads for backpacker-type tents, a trail shelter, and a pit toilet. The Pond Campsite is near Mile 13 of the trail on the edge of a small man-made pond.

Spring and fall are the best seasons to experience the trail, but the trail can be hiked year-round. Take extra care during deer season (November and December) due to hunters in the area. Wear bright orange or other highly visible clothing. Camping is not allowed along the Four C Trail during deer hunting season. Interesting features of the trail include a number of small streams that hikers will cross. Although the water may look clear, it is not safe for drinking.

Ratcliff Lake: From Lufkin: Take Hwy. 103 west for 16 miles where it merges with Hwy. 7. Continue west for 12 miles and turn right at entrance to the recreation area.