Return to Chalk Ridge Falls Park

no cave
User: jimmy peace - 6/24/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A
still havnt found the cave yet, and hiked further in.. but now we think we know where it is
User: Kat Person - 12/31/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Variable hike of solitude and wilderness
User: Kat Person - 12/8/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 4 hours

When you enter, there are lots of people fishing and hanging out in this park.  As you go further back into the park, you will slowly drop away from people and see more and more of the wild.  The trail eventually becomes less marked and you will have to pick your way through a lot of brush in places.  There is a trail and you can find it but you have to be adventurous.  The cave is a real high point if you can find your way.  There is a high road and a low road in the beginning.  The tempation is to follow close to the water but take the high point either going in or coming out to gain a beautiful experience with light as it falls through tall trees.  Lots of butterflies in this park and some trees appear to be oozing some nectar because the butterflies were clinging to the trunks of several.  I come here all the time and it is a magical place.

Nice but short
User: 9hiking - 3/18/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Kids enjoyed it. we had children ranging from 6 to 15 and they all were able to hike the trail with ease. The bridge and water fall was fun for them. Park info shows 5 miles, but it was only 1 mile in and 1 mile back out...unless there are other trails that we missed...
My first local hike. It was a simple introduction, crisp, sunny and peaceful.
User: Amuzed - 12/17/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 5 hours

 The Falls were a trickle, at best. The trail however was nice. I explored the red blaze trail, to what became bushwhacking for about a mile when I decided to turn back.

The river is nice. The woodlands were fun. The boulders were a great place to lunch.

I plan to return and follow the blue/green blaze.

How far will folks carry beer bottles into the woods? This was the only negative of the day.

Fun walk. Take the kids.
User: pjberonio - 10/31/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Great, easy walk for the kids.  Had a blast!  Bridges washed out though.  I really hope they fix them at some point.  Still a beautiful place.

Great short hike with kids
User: bugsparrow - 9/4/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Went out this morning to visit and hike the trails at Chalk Ridge. We took both of our kids ages 7 and 11 and they had a blast. Just enough terrain differences to keep them from getting bored and plenty of dragonflies and minnows to find. Both bridges are still terribly washed out, however we were able to cross alongside of the wooden foot bridge with out getting wet. Great little nook just along the waterside at the top of the falls to stop for a break and eat some lunch. The trail markings are inconsistent and there are alot of worn paths that veer off the trail, but if you stay near the water you'll have no problem finding the bridges or the falls. There is lots of trash scattered about, and if you want to get in the water, watch for hidden glass...

Nice morning hike
User: athena_ginny - 8/29/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

My husband, 8 yr old and 13 yr old along with myself took this hike Sunday morning. Pretty easy path to follow until you get to the bridges. Two of the main bridges that lead to the "caves" are out so we had to find another way to cross the river. If you don't mind getting a little wet plenty of places to do that (lots of places that are only ankle high deep in water). LOTS of litter though. Easy hike for smaller kids though we got off the beaten path and a few high slippery trails to cross my 8 yr old did great.

User: Miles - 5/16/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.85 Miles Duration: N/A

Geocaching off trail. High grass made it hard walking.

Not very accessible.
User: texaskdog - 2/28/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

First of all the best part.  When you get to the long bridge, go down the stairs and walk upstream.  Not really a path but the water is never deep.  Beautiful canyon with numerous caves with water running through.  This part takes about a half hour.  After that we took the main path.  The suspension bridge broke over 2 years ago and they havent fixed it and people still work their way across it, very dangerous!  We crossed in the creek.  The path beyond it is overgrown and brushy and not very exciting.  We never made it to the waterfall but must have been close.

A great way to spend a couple of hours.
User: TEddy - 1/16/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Standard riverside hike
User: M High - 11/5/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

With recent rains, the Lampasas River was running a few feet high and very swift.  Only saw about ten people in three hours.  The side trail leading to the small falls on the creek leading to the river was the most scenic - make sure not to miss the side-trip before the main falls.  The suspension bridge has been out for a couple of years now, and a sign leading to the bridge says trail closed - so to continue along the 'red' trail you pretty much have to get your feet wet crossing the stream, which can be several feet deep in places - the best and safest place to cross is 10-20 feet downstream from the little dam above Chalk Ridge Falls, where the water is less than a foot deep.  It appears that the red trail has not been maintained since the bridge fell, so there are plenty of fallen trees, overgrowth and a couple of places where the river has washed out the trail.  The further you go, the more tenuous the trail (since it is not maintained and not getting many visitors) - easy to follow for the first half-mile, but I lost it several times past the last marker - although it's not like you're going to get lost, since you're walking along the river's edge the entire way.  I went about a half mile past the last marker before turning around, before the second waterfall, at that point the trail was almost completely overgrown.  One very big minus - tons of trash all over the trail, everywhere -- both on the front (open) part of the trail, as well as the back (closed) part of the trail.  It needs a SERIOUS cleaning.  Lots of fall color.

Wonderful Day to Explore
User: Daniel N - 11/2/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.20 Miles Duration: N/A

Went to this park with my son and had a great day sitting by the falls and the creek. The water was rushing and the falls were at full flow. It was an incredible scene with the changing leaves and cool breeze. The entire time we were there we saw one other person.

Very nice park.
User: Branden - 9/7/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A

For this hike my son and his best friend came along and they were glad they did. We had a great time but it should be noted that the best part of the trail system is closed but you can get to it from another trail and it is well worth it. The waterfalls were awesome and there was enough hills to make it just hard enough for the boys to stay occupied. The park was very busy but it was labor day so it is to be expected. I only can hope that the Corp repairs the bridges and reopens the trail as the park is just not complete without it! But all in all very worth it.

Great place but you have to break the rules
User: Daniel N - 4/4/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 45 minutes

We took our son hiking with us and were going to play at the waterfalls (which were beautiful) but there was a family of twelve being loud and obnoxious. We went of the trail and crossed the barrier and I am so glad we did. The bridge is down and it is disappointing that the Corps of Engineers has done nothing about it. However, after fording the river we followed the trail to a very cool and very secluded cliff face with caves and trails. We went down to the river and hung out on the sandbars with our toes in the water and it was a great time. By the time we got back to the waterfall the group had gone and we were able to enjoy the waterfalls and creek and Brendan was able to splash around and play.

Damaged Bridge cuts park short
User: BrownMJ127 - 11/18/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 45 minutes

I went to hike this trail and found that the suspension bridge was washed out.  The trail beyond was closed off and over grown. I never escaped the sound of autos crossing over the dam.  I saw a number of people on the trail and due to its exceptional short length we kept running into each other.  The only part of the park open for hiking is the wheel chair area.  The park's bridges need to be repaired in order to be worth the drive.

Some trails are more difficult than others....
User: rainwatter - 6/30/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.75 Miles Duration: 2 minutes

After entering the trailhead, we took the first set of stairs down to the creekbed.  We followed the creek and crossed just passed where the bridge is washed out.  We then followed a path up the steep cliff (I'm sure it is not that bad, but with my 5 year old, it was very intense) and then back down between the waterfalls and the little damn.  We crossed the creek and stayed on the main path for a bit, and then took minor path that meanders alongside an expansion in the creek where we saw 3 snakes.

There were only a few places where we couldn't hear other park guests.

Still damage from 2007 flooding
User: leatherlynne - 6/22/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

We arrived early in the morning and there were very few people their, mainly those fishing in the spillway. The trash along the main fishing areas was unbelievable.  There were baby diapers, food containers, plastic bottles, and broken glass everywhere.  Very sad.

The cable bridge was washed out.  Many trails have encountered damage as well.  We climbed down and followed the water for a better hike.

We saw several deer, frogs, and at least four snakes.  I believe one could have been a rattler, but not positive.  Brown and big was enough warning for me to stay away.

Nice easy hike
User: JNelson - 3/18/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Need to go all the way up the dry creekbed to appreciate this hike.

User: gtbevo - 2/23/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 4 minutes

We had beautiful weather to hike in this park.  There were lots of people at the beginning but it really thinned out as we got further into the park.  We spent most of our hike along the perimeter of the park, staying almost exclusively along the fence line.

At one point we needed to cross the river and just took our shoes off and waded across.  The water was wonderful - not cold at all.  We ended by coming back down the streambed and were able to see all of the springs that come from the caves and sides of the ravine.  A very enjoyable hike.

Get off the trails to see the real beauty
User: lizardking - 9/15/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 4 minutes

as you aproach the boardwalk bridge. dont cross it. instead go down the stairs and turn right, and start walking the river bed. this is were you discover the real jewls of chalk ridge. the river bed will lead you back to the main road.

since the park is closed, a friend and i sneek in at the spill way and hit the trail from the back.

 

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Great Spot
User: squidulum - 9/15/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 3 minutes

This was a very enjoyable hike.  We encountered quite a few folks, but everyone was friendly.  The creek was scenic and reminded me of places I'd hiked in the Northeast part of the country.

Park Closed
User: jeff - 9/8/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: N/A Duration: N/A

Don't try it till maybe October. The park is closed due to water releases from the dam. They told me that they had to do several rescues recently. We drove up from Austin, did not know it was closed. Closing info was not displayed at the Stillhouse official site either. Looking forward to the hike this fall, but will call first.

Cool Bridge
User: jsr59jsr - 5/2/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 5 hours
Nice walk, have to go off the trail and down the stream for some good fun.

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