Beautiful views, some steepish bits
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plectrudis - 10/2/2017
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Distance: 3.75 Miles
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Parked at the main lot and hiked east to the dam (crossed on the rocks below the dam). Stumbled around a bit trying to find the real trail on the far side--would have been easier if I had crossed by the eastern mini-parking lot.
Some of the hilltop views from this trail are really beautiful, and the copious cedars mean that the hike has a lovely, spicy smell.
I didn't have time to go into the golden-cheeked warbler preserve, unfortunately, but it was nevertheless quite a nice hike. There are some inclines that are a bit aggressive, which is either a good thing or an annoying thing, depending on your preferences, but in between there were plenty of mostly level bits.
Botanizing was a mixed bag--SO MANY junipers and silktassels, over and over--but I did spot a pretty little native orchid and a gnarly old escarpment black cherry, so that was nifty.
i hadnt hit the top trail before, nice trail, few people
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jimmy peace - 3/28/2016
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Distance: 2.50 Miles
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texaskdog - 3/10/2015
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
Duration: 50 minutes
It was wet today but water here is easy to navigate, as long as you cross the overflowing creek on the road.
great hike
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jimmy peace - 7/13/2014
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Distance: 1.60 Miles
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i had never hiked this part, actually more work then the normal trail since all up and down, not level
Love this park
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Sunshinedog - 7/9/2014
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Distance: 8.00 Miles
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We (me and the dog, of course) hiked the entire trail, including cross over the road and hiking up the other side. This hike can be challenging in spots coming down from Balcones Reserve it is very steep and you need to "climb" down. Park in the parking lot to secure your vehicle.
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Jamie - 1/1/2014
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
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ValEpiscopo - 8/5/2013
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Distance: 2.50 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Walked the loop gping right.
Our first "epic" hike, according to my 12 year old
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terlanmat68 - 9/15/2012
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Distance: 1.63 Miles
Duration: 45 minutes
We had lots of fun crossing Bull Creek and then climbing the trail up to the south. My son was excited by the quick elevation gain up to tree top level. We followed the creek around until we encountered a barb wire fence. Went back downhill along the fence, crossed back over the creek and followed a creek-bed trail back to our previous crossing. Made for a quick mile and a half loop. BTW, we parked at the larger, more northern, parking lot. There is a quick, easy connection trail to get down to the creek.
nice!
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actualattic - 4/4/2012
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Distance: 1.50 Miles
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After doing the creek trail this one pooped us out. The rocky trail kept us slow, but we made it to just about the top of the hill before turning back. Only saw one person on this trail. Will return again to finish soon.
Great Hike - Nice Views
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Ernie Herrera - 10/15/2011
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
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Hiked the hill side of the trail at St. Edwards Park after parking along the roadside on Spicewood at the 5th low-water crossing. This was our first time at the park and I was accompanied by another friend and our 3 daughters ages 4, 7 and 11. We walked along the creek and saw crossed at the dam to the other side of the creek. We followed the trail and it led us around and up the cliff side of the creek. The views were very nice and the kids were all able to handle the ascent. We continued along the trail until we reached the fenceline on the south side of the park and headed towards the preserve. The descent started as we turned left at the preserve entrance. We saw one warbler and lots of vegetation and found some fossilized sea shells along the way. We all enjoyed it and will be back for sure.
fun hike with the family
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esroberts - 3/12/2011
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Distance: 0.50 Mile
Duration: 30 minutes
A fun, short hike down to the creek to explore algae and skipping stones. We learned about cedar trees and cactii
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Phenom - 3/5/2011
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
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Easy hike up the stream. Was fun going off trail and playing frogger on the rocks in the less than 1 foot deep water. Theres a rope swing at what looks like a cool place to go swimming. We will probably come back in the summer.
Slight elevation gain if you don't just follow the path that goes up the stream, but its nothing too difficult.
A couple of girls here jogging but no other people.
Creek, hill, and trees
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kmcippant - 1/1/2011
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Distance: 4.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 14 minutes
We started from the big parking lot and after looking at the map they have posted there we set out to make the biggest loop in the park that we could. We started out going south, crossed the creek, and then gradually went up hill. Going down the hill on the north side was pretty steep. If I did this again I'd start out going north and loop the other direction.
When we got to the preserve we went in. There wasn't anything super exciting up there. It was nice though since we did not see a single other person. After maybe a mile or so that trail forked and that's when we turned around.
Nice trail along Bull Creek
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Redwolf - 11/21/2010
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
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This was my second time on this trail, which is near my neighborhood. It's a pleasant walk, parts of which run along the creek. Both times we've gone we've only came across one other couple.
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jtkatie - 6/19/2010
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Distance: 2.50 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
AWESOME! No foolin
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texaskdog - 4/1/2010
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
Duration: 48 minutes
Start with a water crossing, head up to beautiful views, head up and up and up to the refuge, which you can actually go in here unlike at Trailhead Park or Old Lampasas (thought you need a permit March-June so we couldn't go in but there is a number you can call for one, and I think it hooks up with Jester Mountain). We tried to come down the other way but didn't realize we were on the road and not the path so watch for the turnoff. Lots of side trails too. Great workout!
a hike that goes uphill!
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klyevans - 12/19/2008
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Distance: 2.00 Miles
Duration: 1 hour
Most of the hiking that I've found in the Austin Metro area is pretty flat so I was thrilled when I got on this trail and it actually climbed a hill. The first time we went, we followed the Creek Trail for a while, then crossed over and climbed up the steep bank to meet the Hill Trail towards the top. The next time, I followed the directions provided here and it was a less challenging climb, but still got my heart pumping. My dog loves hiking on both sides of the creek, but we both like the Hill Trail better because it's shady and quiet. I'll definitely go back!
Nice!
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jmm482 - 4/20/2008
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Took the hill trail for the first time this morning and really enjoyed the experience. Since I had time to kill, I started wandering trails to see where they may lead. Ended up crossing the power line into the preserve and coming out at the trail head to Jester Mountain off Gutherie and Aralia. I was actually happy to see the City is providing limited access to the Balcones Preserve lands. Many, many warblers as you ascend to the higher areas. Saw a birder, another lone hiker, two mountain bikers, photographer, and two families. Great day to be out!
Fantastic hiking
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rhouston0405 - 1/17/2008
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Distance: 2.25 Miles
Duration: 50 minutes
The trail that goes along the cliff is a very enjoyable hike. I came in today looking for geocaches, but ended up not finding as many as I expected because I was just enjoying wandering the trails.
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graham - 5/26/2007
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Distance: 2.60 Miles
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Poked along the creek before following the hill trail. Nice sighting of three night herons (I believe) above the dam. Saw a couple of dogs at the trailhead but had the trail to ourselves. "Crossed" the creek by road.
Austins Beautiful Hidden Jewel
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silvershark1998 - 4/26/2007
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
We decided to broaden our horizins and step it up a notch. So we ascended to the to summit and sure was rough and definately a workout. Saw several mountain bikers along.
Good day out geocaching in great weather, finally!
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Austin Explorer - 3/12/2005
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Distance: 2.50 Miles
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Spent the day finding 5 geocaches in the park and hiking all over in the process. Found some trails that aren't on our map, so I'll have to come back and map them properly later.
good climbing and lots of side trails
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manwithdog - 1/21/2005
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Distance: 3.00 Miles
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Went out sans dog (she's too old to go up and down the slopes on this trail). Not really sure how far I hiked - kept straying off the "official" route to see where this path or that trail led. A roadrunner was hunkered down in the brush near the parking lot watching me watch him. Met up with a trio of grinning mountain bikers at the top (and heard them whooping during their descent). Will have to come back another time and walk around the preserve a bit.