Hagerman NWR, Big Mineral Creek Kayak Paddle

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, Big Mineral Creek Kayak Paddle

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge (and oil field) is about 20 minutes west of Sherman TX on Highway 82. It’s a very popular birding location and there are some boat launches for paddling and fishing. The boat launch on Pad L was used for this trip (see map above). I first tried to go out to the lake but the water was too shallow and I got stuck. So, I went the other way up Big Mineral Creek until it too got shallow. Hagerman seems different every time, there is always something new to see, the birds add a lot of life to the place, and there is a lot of season to season variation. This trip I saw three deer crossing the lake (see picture) and scenery in the early morning light was amazing.

Above: Wow.

Above: Amazing!

Above: A few logjams on Big Mineral Creek, to be expected.