Lower Sunset

Spanning flatlands, arroyos, hills and cliffsides, Lower Sunset has something for everyone. The trail can be accessed from parking areas on the south and north ends of the Tom Mays Unit, and a complete loop can be made by connecting with Upper Sunset, Tom Mays Trail, or the park road. Beginning from the south side, Lower Sunset departs a picnic area along a wide, flat doubletrack that once served as a dirt access road. A turnoff to the Beginner's Loop is found right at the beginning which can be taken to add mileage; it connects back with the main trail a quarter mile later. The path turns to the north, eventually narrowing to singletrack and beginning in earnest. The trail hairpins down to an arroyo crossing and climbs back out to a fork in the trail, marked by a sign. An intermediate segment branches to the right, while a slightly more challenging shortcut (rated difficult by the sign, but for mountain bikers, not hikers) goes to the left. After rejoining, the trail crosses another arroyo at the two-mile mark. A steady, mile and a half long climb follows, weaving up foothills. At the top, a shortcut to the north parking area splits right. The path then doubles back west on a narrow cliffside track, with amazing views of the desert valley. This is the Lower Sunset's highlight and one of the nicest trail segments in West Texas. The trail circles the hill clockwise, passing turnoffs for the Bike Loops, and entering another long, steady climb as it widens again to doubletrack. The incline becomes much steeper passing the second crossing with Schaeffer Shuffle, making for a demanding, but rewarding finish. The trail tops out in the north parking area.