Four Turkeys LbNA #73465

From the Shinnery Ridge Trail parking area, head uphill to the trailhead with the large brown sign (not the lower trailhead with chain barrier against bikes/vehicles). Walk along until you pass what used to be a bench, with two stone bases and a bunch of cedar branches for a seat (fallen down). Ahead, you will see a meadow area. From the bench, take 77 steps passing along the trail through the meadow to second base for a bench. Follow the trail about 35 steps to a bend with a multi-trunked cedar on left about 5 steps off trail. Carefully pass through the knee high shin oaks, around the multi-trunked cedar to the 2 cedars behind it. A turkey vulture is hiding at the base of the larger cedar on left under a spor.
Carefully make your way back to the trail and continue. You will pass another "bench" with the seat on the ground. On your right you will pass a large cedar with many broken branches forming a lean-to/tent-like structure. Pass through the grove of tall cedars with little underbrush and you will find the remains of yet another (4th) bench. Take 30 steps from the bench to a place there there are 3 live oaks (with few branches) on left, and a large cedar 3 steps off the trail to the right. Turn to the oaks, and reach the farthest oak from the trail. About 3 steps to your right is a large cedar with a slit at the back of the base of the trunk. If you washed your hands and hurried over, there's a turkey dinner waiting for you in the slit. Please tuck it back in and cover with a strip of cedar bark when you've had your fill.

Continue along the trail again for quite a way. You will pass a 5th bench, might be able to glimpse a tempting clearing through the trees along the left side of trail, about 15 yards away, and you will continue on until you come down a slope. At the bottom of this slope is a sharp bend right and 2 signs. Follow the one that says "hiking trail -->" 65 steps to a large multi-trunked cedar tree right at the edge of the trail to your right. The wild turkey found a spot to nestle right in the center of the branches under a spor.
Continue on the trail about 200 steps and the trail slants downhill a little bit. When the path becomes paved, you will see another (this time intact) bench on right. 25 steps will bring you to a medium-large cedar on left, with another cedar 8 steps back with a large cut limb a little above head height. The logbook and one last little turkey are hiding at the base of this tree. Carry on to the end of the trail to the parking lot you started at.

Hike length: 1-2 miles