Photos: Amarillo’s Hidden Gem In Plain Sight; Hobo Hills

I finally did it. I took a walk along Amarillo's infamous Hobo Hills. After getting back to my vehicle, I was left with one question.

Why doesn't Amarillo do more with this hidden gem?

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Trails Hidden In Plain Sight

If you're completely unaware of Hobo Hills, as I once was, let me clue you in. The Hills also go by the name of 9th Street Trails, which readily pops up on Google Maps.

Just take Coulter to 9th Street, and you're there...or at least close.

Would It Be Too Much To At Least Have A Sign?

What looks like the entrance from the street, isn't. I entered from an adjacent parking lot because I couldn't find a sign anywhere that pointed me in the right direction.

A sign pointing to the 9th Street Trails would be nice to have.

Other than that, leave it alone. This is my new favorite place in town.

Just a sign. That's all we need, and maybe a map of the trail system.

That's it.

Suddenly, It Was Like I Was No Longer In Amarillo

Once down near the water, you're surrounded by trees. So much so, that eventually you can't see the road anymore. If there isn't much traffic on 9th, it's easy to forget where you are.

It's just the sound of the water, and lots of trees.

It was peaceful, for the most part. It seemed like every other step I took found me walking through a spiderweb and praying to God I didn't pick up a passenger who was crawling on me somewhere.

The Iconic Tunnel Of Hobo Hills

The first I ever heard of Hobo Hills was attached to an image of the tunnel which goes under 9th Street. It's where the water comes pouring in to feed the creek...stream...run-off...babbling brook...whatever you call it.

I'm not sure what it was that I heard jump into the water while I was there. It could have been a small turtle, maybe a fish, or a frog.

Why Is It Called, "Hobo Hills"?

Yes, I asked the question. It went something like this:

Charlie: Why do they call it Hobo Hills?
Charlie's Friend: You can't be this dumb, right?
Charlie: Hobo's?
Charlie's Friend: Hobos.

Supposedly, at one point in time this area was the place of choice for transients and the displaced.

While I was out there, I didn't see anything that looked like a campsite. I imagine with all of the developing that's gone on in that area, it isn't quite the retreat from town it once was.

Check out these photos of Amarillo's hidden gem, Hobo Hills...