Backpack the 4C Trail

Beginning near Ratcliff lake, head down a trail that looks well maintained and is usually heavily trafficked. The trail will wind through basic forest and after about 2 miles the general traffic dies down. At this point you will need to cross FS Road 521. From here you will finish the portion of the trail that follows the curve of the lakeshore. You will then hike parallel to FM227, before crossing the paved road at 2.5 miles. The traffic here will be heavier than other roads. Continue through the forest for another mile and half before crossing Sikes Creek. There will be a pond at about 5 miles in. 

Roughly 6.2 miles into the hike you will need to cross CR1127, and then continue to follow the trail along a property line for about a quarter mile. At 7.5 miles you will cross FS519 and enter into Big Slough Wilderness. 

Continue on for just over half a mile, where the trail meets up and follows the old 4C Railroad grade. At 9 miles cross FS517 and leave Big Slough Wilderness. Upon entering back into the forest, you will cross Hickory Creek Bridge. Continue on for a mile and a half, at which point you will cross FS511. This is a good place to cache water. 

You can camp in the clearing on the other side of the road here, but you need to be 200 yds from the road. If you continue on for another mile there will be a primitive shelter up on a hill, however it is a popular camping spot, and may be crowded on the weekends. 

Just over 12 miles you'll cross Walnut Creek and hike along the creek for roughly a quarter mile. At 13 miles there will be a pond and another option for a campsite. Cross FS512 and 15 miles, cross Camp Creek half a mile later, and cross FS526 at mile 16. 

You will cross FS511 again at 17.5 miles. Hike for just over a quarter mile more until you reach a gravel road, and take a left. Follow the road for 1.2 miles before exiting to your left. 

You should now begin hiking up Neches Bluff. The incline here will be noticeable, but is still fairly easy. The Neches Bluff overlook is .7 miles from the gravel road, and is a good place to car camp.