The Bushwhacker's Guide to Exploring Dallas

As a photographer, I judge the natural features of an area heavily on their aesthetic value. As an amateur historian and geographer, I am curious why a town is at a certain spot, instead of 10 feet or 10 miles away. As an entrepreneur, I consider the measure of true appreciation for my work the willingness of others to purchase them. Texas in general and Dallas in particular do not rank very high on my list of impressive natural locations right now, as little I find here merits interest.

My main intentional photographic types are landscapes, nature and female nudes. I began hiking several years ago to help me find beautiful natural locations where I could photograph nude models. I also discovered that I greatly enjoy skinny-dipping and nude recreation. Unfortunately, Dallas is not a great place for any of these interests. No one wants to see photos of a scrub-choked lot, even if I have a naked woman posing on it, an opinion I base on the willingness of people to pay for copies of such photos. I have an aversion to skinny-dipping with alligators and gars (and copperheads, cottonmouths, snapping turtles, etc.).

As for the reason for Dallas' existence... I'm still waiting for that one. The scrub lots next door aren't the answer. But, thanks for the article. I may yet find a great location, and I love to explore.

Did I miss something; "We've also included a list of valuable websites"?  I swear I didn't miss this when I read the article.  I even came here (online) to see if it was just missing in the print version.

Can a more observant reader or the editor/writer clue me in where these websites are listed?

Jim and the rest of the writers for Dallas Observer: I enjoy your work and thoroughness on many issues I find important even if officials would prefer me to nevermind (e.g. white water park!, fracking, missing 1.1 million in dallas dump, bicycle lanes, trinity river development that isn't a highway, water quality testing... and so forth)  Keep up the good work.  

Rename this article "Where to dump a body in DFW"

Thanks for not mentioning this place near Mountain Creek.  Great for exploring, but I think it's owned by an energy company and set for gas drilling.  32.65242,-96.990272

Oh, as Perry would say: "oops".

Also, thanks for not mentioning this place:  32.685186,-96.978342

Okay, I did that one on purpose.

For both of these, the "wild" and "sketch" levels would be scored in exponential nomenclature.  But they are quite pretty and peaceful.

Neither of these are park land.  It is probably against the law to go on these properties.  Don't do it.

thanks Jim for this great article. I think it's worth mentioning a couple things: People really should be prepared out there. Hat, water and insect . Jim Flood deserves a lot of credit for being such a great resource on this Forest. He's quick to point out he was inspired by the late great Ned Fritz. Tim Dalby is a walking encyclopedia about the history of this area, including bison, mammoths and native america sites. There's much to explore. Ben's blog http://dallastrinitytrails.blogspot.com/ is the best resource out there on this. Thanks for the article Jim. 

Jim,

This is a great article. I try to remind people that there are plenty of natural places to walk and explore in Dallas county. They just have to be willing to leave their cars and look for the places that others rarely go to.

California Crossing is a great example. I used to work in Las Colinas. I would often go there during lunch or after work and walk the trails. On weekdays, I usually did not see another soul on my entire walk.

"Some of it is rough going — places where no one should wander alone or unawares. In some, you could get lost or injure yourself in wild and unforgiving terrain. In others you might stumble into criminal activity — never a welcome encounter on a Sunday-morning hike."

This is great article on the natural environs of D/FW. You forgot to add avoid the Mexican Cartels and native Negro population on the trails. Otherwise no complaints.

@TimJordanDFW Explore the big D lol :)

@Dallas_Observer great article. Can't wait until it cools off to head to some of these spots . Less chance of skeezy interaction then.

@kirby_kiefer @Dallas_Observer interesting! and good read... Did you send this to BB?... I hoped it was about werewolves getting bushwacked!